Honiara, the nation's capital |
Guadalcanal is the largest island in the Solomon Islands. It hosts the nation's Capitol, Honiara, and much of it's industry. Guadalcanal is a high, rugged island with mountains reaching up to 2400m, a challenge for adventurous bush walkers. In Honiara the visitor will find most of his or her needs as expected in a capital city, luxury hotels to backpacker accommodation, restaurants, bars, clubs and nightlife. there are diving schools and any kind of activity from WW2 tours, bush walks, sport fishing, dive boat cruises and more can be arranged. There are also a few luxury resorts in unique Solomon style, such as Tambea Holiday Beach Resort, Tavanipupu Island Resort, Vulelua Island Resort and Lelei Resort. Several tour operators including Solomon Sights and Sounds, Guadalcanal Travel Service and others. Contact the Visitors Bureau for details. |
|
Guadalcanal
was, of course, the setting for one of the most fiercely fought battles
of WW2. The Guadalcanal Campaign of 1942-3 is regarded as one of the most
crucial Allied victories, if not the actual turning point of the war in
the Pacific. The evidence of this campaign can be seen in many sights
on and around Guadalcanal, including Bloody Ridge, Henderson Field (now
the Solomon's international airport), Mataniko River, Red Beach, Western
and Eastern Battlefields, and the huge number of divable shipwrecks and
aircraft. In addition to the being the subject of numerous books, the
battle featured in the recent film "The Thin Red Line", which
was shot partly Guadalcanal. GTS
Travel of Honiara has a range of WW2 tours. Bill Fisher, a US veteran
of Guadalcanal, has founded the Battle of Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands
Foundation to encourage the conservation of the sites, remembrance and
organise responsible historical tours (contact raider@ixlmemphis.com). Some links to web sites related to the WW2 Guadalcanal campaign are given below.
Bonegi Beach. (1) |
Bonegi Beach, a popular dive
site |
The south coast of Guadalcanal is known as the "weather coast". This is because the prevailing SE trades abut against the 2400m mountain range producing high rainfall (and producing a rain shadow over the dryer plains of North Gaudalcanal and Honiara). There is an easy coastal track from Marau in the east to Kuma in the central weather coast, as well as airfields at Avu Avu, Marau and Mbabanakira. It is possible to arrange guides in Kuma and other places for the difficult and strenuous hike over the dividing range to the Northern Plains, via the gold mine at Gold Ridge. The weather coast is also the home of the Moro Tribe; a tribe who have renounced Christianity and all modern ways, keeping determinedly to their "Kastom". No modern clothing is allowed. However, these people do accept responsible visitors if arranged with the local chiefs. |
|
Guadalcanal's rugged interior, on a bush walk from Kuma to Gold Ridge.(2) |
|
Traditional village on the Weather Coast. (2) |
|
Village high up in the bush. (2) |
|
A Moro village on the Weather Coast. (2) |
|
Kids on Red Beach.(3) |
 |
War canoes being prepared for the Melanesian Cultural Festival, Honiara, 1998. (2) |
|
At Honiara Market. (4) |
|
Tamure, Polynesian/Gilbertese dancing at the Mendana Hotel, Honiara |
 |
Custom dancing displays during the !st International Melanesian Cultural Festival , Honiara, 1998 |
