must see places in solomons?

Hi all

My husband and I are planning a trip to the Solomon Islands early next year. We only have a limited time - 2 weeks and limited budget - $2000 AUD each max! preferably less. I was hoping for some suggestions on where to go and cheap reliable ways of getting there. We are wanting to experience the culture of the islands rather than sit in a resort (although that's definitely part of the plan for at least a couple nights). We're both used to 'roughing it' having travelled through third world countries (think: India) before. I'd like to throw out our ideas for comments/thoughts. I don't know that realistically we'll be able to do all that we're thinking of - hence my asking for input :)

1. Travel from Honiara to Savo to visit Kuila Village Stay. We were thinking of one night here, but dunno if it's worth it? Or should we stay longer?
2. From there head to Munda to stay at Tetepare Island. Unsure how long is long enough here?
3. From Tetepare head to Marovo Lagoon to stay at Kajoro Home Village Stay.
4. Lastly fly to Auki and stay at Serah's Lagoon Hideaway.

Has anyone stayed in these village stays? Are they really village stays or just unglorified rest houses? I'm thinking if they're not a true village experience I need to find somewhere that is or pay a little extra for resort accommodation.
Is this doable in the 2 weeks?

Is our only option to fly (due to time restraints - it seems from others that the boats are unrealistic in this short timeframe)...
Would it be worth not going to Savo (or one of the other destinations) and instead spending some more time in Malaita - it seems this is the less touristy area.
Hmmmm.... any comments are welcome because we're still in the planning stages of this trip.

Thanks heaps.

I found that the sulphur fumes on Savo made me sick. You can do a walk up to the hot springs, and the big drawcard there other than the volcano is the megapod bird egg mounds.
I think Malaita is a better cultural experience, but I may be biased.
I am not familiar with that homestay, but it looks like a basic "permanent" village house. (I know one of the village stays on Savo is owned by a former Prime Minister, but not sure if this is it).
I have not spent much time in Western Province. It is very beautiful, but less traditional, due to a higher level of contact with European culture. Tetepare is well-thought-of, and would definitely be worth a visit.
As for the Kajoro village stay, by the look of it, you would be needing to take all your own food, or make do with a very limited choice (canned tuna, rice and noodles) from the village store. There may or may not be a market.
Serah's hideaway is in the Langa Langa Lagoon, close to Auki and generally more commercialised than the Lau Lagoon, in the north-east of Malaita.
Look here for a Lau Lagoon homestay. If you are interested, send me a PM, and I'll send you contact details in Honiara. (I visit the family there regularly, and have taken a number of friends). They include all meals. (local food)
Check out the whole of the Exploring Solomons website, before making a final decision.
you would be able to manage Western Province and Malaita in 2 weeks, as they have the best transport options in the country. Best option to Auki is the 360 Discovery, a comfortable fast boat, cheaper than flying, and more comfortable than other boats. if you decide to go to the Lau Lagoon, someone will meet you in either Honiara or Auki, to assist you to find the local truck, which can be a bit tricky. (You would need to cover their fares).
Any travel by outboard, between villages etc, can be very expensive, die to the cost of outboard fuel.

Thank you so much OG

I'll look into it and PM you if we decide to do that - sounds great to me though.

In regards to your first idea, staying at Savo. I was in the Solomons just a month ago or so, and we decided on staying at the Sunset Lodge on Save - I believe this is the lodge the former PM owns. It was horrific. Terrible, I would never recommend that anyone stayed there.
The island itself was picturesque, but the lodge was the worst thing I have ever tried. The rooms are small like prison cells, no light, no air, nothing but a bed and a bedsheet. We went for a small walk down the beach to find babies nappies spread all over the place. We think maybe a local rubbage dump was placed in the area, because the flies were unbelievable. They were everywhere, you couldn't even sit outside for more than ten minutes before you had to escape into your small cell. And the food... We had lunch there, which was pretty nice. For dinner we had the exact same meal. On the exact same plates. Leftovers. But we paid SBD$120 for it.
And there's so much more, trying to trick us out of money, all these things. It was so unlike anything I've ever tried in the Solomons.
So, the village stay you are considering is probably much better, I just wanted to warn you about the Sunset lodge. Avoid it.

Savo is beautiful, I would have loved to walk further up the volcano, unfortunately we left before we had a chance to go walkabout. There are dolfins in the area that are spectacular, so if you can hire a boat it's worth just sailing around and playing with them for a while. Apparently you can even get in and swim with them in the morning. So it would probably be worth a visit if you stay somewhere tolerable and get to see the volcano.

I haven't been to Tetepare Island, so I can't tell you anything about it. Marovo lagoon is stunning and amazing and an absolute must-see. The area is full of village stays and a resort - depending on your budget. I definitely think it's worth staying at Uepi for a couple of nights, but it depends on your budget. You are going to spend quite a bit of money on transport, and not just flights but also boat transfers.

Pretty much wherever you go you will have a unique experience, and if you're staying in villages you are pretty sure to avoid the crowds. Somehow just being in the Solomons feels like you're off the beaten track, so don't worry about feeling like you're in a tourist trap.

Ask again if there's anything you are curious about,
Malthen

If you just have 2 weeks, I'd skip Savo & go straight to Tetepare (via Munda) - it's magic. Allow at least 3-4 days, and you can also boat across to the "sister" island of Rendova and stay in the village there for a night or two ... natural, wonderful, uncommercialised & friendly.

Then head for the Marovo, via Seghe. If you really want "true village experience", start at Matikuri Lodge. It's now affiliated with 4 other lodges, covering about 35 kms of the central Marovo Lagoon. You can get boat transfers from one to the next. All are small lodges run by local families, private, inexpensive & "real". Tell Benjamin at Matikuri that you want a leisurely trip to Charapoana, via Vanua Kino, Sea Lodge and/or Lombi Mulaka. Friendly, fantastic experience.

Matikuri lodge run by Ben, near Seghe is great. The same however cannot be said of Charopoana (sometimes written Charapoana), with the change of the owners the old praise is gone. Pretty much every village you in the Marovo lagoon has a village stay. Just hang around the Seghe market on Monday and Tuesday to find out about cheap transport to various places.