Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands - first questions coming to my mind

After a while, it seems like I am going to get back on the road. What I have had long on my mind is visiting Papua New Guinea and Solomon. This post is being rather tentative and a bit ignorant i know. i just would wish to know some tips from travelers who visited these places.

I intend to stay in each country for circa 14 days and am predominantly interested in getting some ideas of what places I should not miss out. Moreover, I am keenly awaiting any information as for the route to from Europe avoiding Australia if possible. The best would be: Prague - Jakarta - Port Moresby - Honiara. Incidentally, has anyone tried to get to western province of Solomon is. from southern Bougainville in Papua New Guinea by boat? I'd love to make that journey.

I am not really into touristy things, so I would love to go roads less traveled. I was thinking about visiting coastal areas and beaches (for photography), local villages and on a couple of occasions doing some jungle hiking. To understand what i am after, you may refer to my website: [http://www.2palms.net]

I appreciate any input!

Thanks a lot,

jirikoo

The Western Province is the most tourist-oriented in Solomon Islands, so if you are interested in the road less travelled, you would be better flying from Port Moresby to Honiara. Otherwise, you oculd spend all your 2 weeks getting from Bougainville to Gizo, and miss the rest of the country.
What time of year are you planning to travel?
Incidentally, both countries deserve a lot more than 14 days each.

I am also going to PNG and The Solomons:-) In april and may 2012.
International tickets are bough and my itinerary in PNG is pretty much decided. (Milne Bay and the Trobriands) But I still am very much in doubt when it comes to the Solomons. I probably just will pop up in Honiara and take it from there:-)

Nice website Jirikoo!

eflatjan
(islomaniac)
http://www.pbase.com/bolla49
http://my.flightmemory.com/eflatjan

At that time of year, you probaby can wing it in regional Solomon Islands, but it is wise to book Honiara accommodation in advance, as there are still not enough beds, especially decent budget ones. I have several times met backpackers walking from rest house to rest house looking for a bed, only to be told they should have booked.
When you get to Honiara, take a stroll along the waterfront area and see where the boats are going. Get on a boat, and talk to the friendly locals - they will invite you to stay in their villages.

thank you guys for your feedback and all the tips. as for the planned period, i was thinking about this spring, but it may change according to my personal commitments. The pivotal point for me is a flight cost. Could anyone clarify me on the flight itinerary and carriers that fly in and out?

I was considering the route Prague - Jakarta - Port Moresby - Honiara. Well, I've randomly checked my country's ticket agencies and costs on those international routes from Jakarta onwards and have to say they are extremely unaffordable.

i know that my allotted time for each country is not really enough, but i cannot afford more this time ;(

cheers

You might find it cheaper to fly Air Asia from somewhere in Europe to Kuala Lumpur, then from there to either Jakarta or Gold Coast (Australia). Gold Coast is a short bus/train trip to Brisbane, which has daily flights to Port Moresb and Honiara.
3 Airlines fly to Honiara from Brisbane, Solomon Airlines, Virgin and Our Airline (Air Nauru), making it much cheaper than it was 10 years ago.

thanks ozziegiraffe, i hoped to avoid australia at all as i would have to arrange a transit visa. it also seems more expensive than flying to Papua from Jakarta. are there any flight to Port Moresby from Jakarta? I can purchase a return ticket from Europe to Jakarta for as little as about 970 AUD.

I have no idea about flights between POM and Jakarta. Others who post here do, though. Why don't you use Google to find answers to your questions, like I do?

no worries, sure ill do. thought, someone had first-hand experience, so i needn't sift through all the info on the net

thanks

update: just checked the expedia.com, and it came out that all flights stop over in Singapore and Brisbane, anyway. I read on wikitravel there are direct flights between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea...