OUR STORY SOLOMON AIRLINES THE NATIONAL AIRLINE OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
WHY THE SOLOMON ISLANDS SEEK THE UNEXPLORED! • World Class Diving • Surfing Utopia • Fascinating Culture • Romance • Rich in History • Diverse Flora & Fauna • Wide variety Bird life • Adventure
OVERVIEW Languages Population Capital & US Visa Weather Largest City Requirement English Enjoy average Many Native No Visa temperatures 560,000 Honiara (HIR) languages & required for of 70-80s. Population Approximately dialects about US citizens Tropical about 70,000 65. Most climate commonly (opposite spoken is seasons to Pijin the US)
WHERE ARE THE SOLOMON ISLANDS OUR HOME The amazing Solomon Islands are an archipelago of 992 islands in the South Pacific. *Green below is hours to destination and blue is number of inflight meals away.
WHERE ARE THE SOLOMON ISLANDS Located in the South Pacific, 3 hours Northeast from Australia, consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands and is divided up into 9 Provinces. In Oceania lying to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu and covering a land area of 11,000sq mi. The country's capital, Honiara is located on the island of Guadalcanal.
WHERE TO GO 9 Provinces • Choiseul • Western • Isabel • Malaita • Guadalcanal • Rennell and Bellona • Makira • Temotu • Central
WHEN TO GO Weather • The climate is tropical with an average temperature of around 80 degrees • June - August are slightly cooler and drier (winter) • November - April can be hotter and wetter. When it rains the most • Very Humid equatorial climate, Southern Hemisphere opposite to US seasons • Annual rainfall about 120 inches
THE PEOPLE History When Spanish explorer Mendaña visited the Solomon Islands in 1568, he found some gold at the Mataniko River. He thought that this could be one of the locations in which King Solomon (the Israelite monarch) obtained gold for his temple in Jerusalem. Mendaña then named the islands after King Solomon thus “Solomon Islands”. Comprised mostly of Melanesians with the rest of the population consisting of Polynesians, Micronesians, and small pockets of Chinese and Europeans. Most of the population 85% live in villages. Only about 15% are found in the urban centers. British and Australian companies began large scale coconut plantations on the islands and at around the same period missionaries arrived, converting many Solomon Islanders to Christianity. A rise in nationalist sentiment following WWII eventually led to the country's independence in 1978.
WORLD WAR II PAST History • The Solomon Islands were the scene of fierce fighting in World War II the 1940s. The most famous was the Battle of Guadalcanal. • Local guides offer memorable and moving tours to the WW II museum and other significant sites including the American memorial at Skyline Ridge and the Japanese Solomons Peace memorial. • Many of the battle sites remain virtually untouched and you can still find artifacts strewn about from rusting jeeps, tanks and amphibious vehicles lying buried in the jungle to foxholes and caves that were used as Japanese observation points and hiding places. • Many of the WWII relics remaining in the Solomons lie submerged, some deep under water and include oil tankers, seaplanes and submarines. A few can be snorkelled, just a short distance from shore while others are only accessible by experienced divers.
LOCAL CULTURE If you like, visit the villages in the outer islands and step back in time. Experience life much as it was a hundred years ago. No electricity, no internet, no running water supply, no shops, few roads. And no noise - except for the sound of the waves! The Solomon Islands is known for its finely made, intricately designed handmade crafts. Beautiful traditional style carvings, baskets and jewelry as well as modern paintings can be purchased at markets and villages throughout the Solomons and viewed at the National Art Gallery in Honiara. The Solomon Islands are dotted with archaeological monuments including ancient ceremonial shrines. For the curious adventurers there are opportunities to visit and learn about ancient hillforts high on the mountains, headhunting or skull shrines and other sites of important legends.
CUISINE & MUSIC Typical food eaten in the Solomons includes fish, chicken, pork, coconut, sweet potatoes and taro. The country's main food market is the Central Market in Honiara. A hub of noise and color, the market has a huge selection of fish and fresh produce brought in from outlying islands. Traditional music in the Solomons includes slit drum and bamboo panpipe ensembles. The conch shell is an instrument used widely across the Pacific, including the Solomons. It is used as a traditional form of trumpet, summoning people to gather and signalling the start of important events.
FLORA & FAUNA • The rich volcanic soils support a magnificent, dense tropical forest. • 4,500 plant species • Estimated that 3,200 are native to the Solomon Islands. • New plants are being found all the time. • Among those plants found solely in the Solomons are several species of Palms, Orchids, Begonia and Ginger plants. • More than 230 varieties of flowering plants brighten the forest environment. • There are at least 173 different species of birds .
ACTIVITIES Under the Water Scuba Diving: “The Amazon of the Oceans” Under the water, the islands have one of the highest diversities of coral and fish species anywhere in the world including several that are new to science. Almost 500 species of hard and soft Corals have been found to form the of reefs in the Solomons. These reefs absolutely teem with life, from Titan Trigger fish, Green and Orange Neon Slugs and superbly colored Sea Fans to the full food chain of creatures including large schools of Jacks and Barracuda, all the way up to the cruising Grey Reef Sharks. The Solomon's underwater realm provide spawning grounds and migratory routes for 1000 reef fish species, Dolphins, Rays, Sharks, and six of the world's seven species of Marine Turtles, to name a few. Unique opportunities to snorkel amongst Shipwrecks from WW2 relics like Seaplanes and Submarines.
ACTIVITIES On the Water Surfing A Surfers Playground, from avid to beginner you can surf the North or South Shore, uncrowded with great giant breaks Sailing The peaceful turquoise waters welcome you to a rustic experience on an Outrigger or kayak, or perhaps a modern sailboat or yacht. Fishing Charter companies can help you catch the best the Solomon Islands have to offer. They provide excellent year round fishing conditions for Anglers of all levels of experience. Catches include Yellow Fin Tuna, Trevally, Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin, Barracuda, Mahi Mahi and Spanish Mackeral.
ACTIVITIES A simple Romantic Getaway Imagine a honeymoon, wedding at a romantic retreat at one of the Solomon's exotic resorts. Peaceful, relaxing, remote and private, you can expect idyllic scenery and great service. Perfect for anniversaries or celebrations
SOLOMON ISLANDS TOURISM BOARD PLEASE VISIT THEIR WONDERFUL WEBSITE: http://www.visitsolomons.com.sb/ • Sample Trips and itineraries • Hotels and Accommodations • Planning your visit • Planning Checklist • How to get there • How to get around • Watch Videos, find great pictures • Helpful tips • Travel hints • Monthly Newsletter
SOLOMON AIRLINES WELKAMS YOU ON BOARD!
SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY OUR HOME Henderson International Airport in Honiara is our home (HIR). Solomon Airlines is the official international carrier of the Solomon Islands. We are IOSA accredited and we fly domestically and internationally.
SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY OUR FLEET: 5 AIRCRAFT Solomon Airlines operates a mix of different aircraft including our newly upgraded A320 for international routes. A fleet of smaller aircraft are specifically suited to our network of domestic routes. They provide enjoyable flying to a range of island destinations that both locals and world travellers are seeking.
SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY OUR FLEET A320 Our flagship A320 flies our international routes including Sydney, Brisbane, Port Vila and Nadi. You’ll be given a “Warm Welkam” as you board and comfortably settle into our economy or business class seating. In- flight you’ll enjoy full service all the way on our international routes
SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY OUR FLEET Solomon Airlines Dash 8 currently operates services DASH 8 between Honiara and two of our larger islands. Gizo. Daily flights between Gizo and Honiara, connecting to international flights. Takes about one and a half hours.
SOLOMON AIRLINES STORY Solomon Airlines Twin Otter OUR FLEET operates services to all 9 TWIN OTTER & ISLANDER provinces across the Solomon Islands. Our De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft comfortably seats 18 people. Our Islander aircraft also fly to all 9 provinces and are ideal for many of our island strips.
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