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The main port of entry into
The Solomon Islands is at Henderson Airport on the island of Guadalcanal, situated
approximately 20 minutes drive from the capital of Honiara. The town is situated
on the northern coastline and incorporates a small picturesque seaport at Point
Cruz.
Shopping
Honiara town centre is level, shady and
interesting, with a bustling air and interesting shops, some specialising in
local handicrafts, others in duty free goods. Here also is the centre of commerce, banks, postal service,
Telekom, restaurants, tourist information centre and local tour operators. A
wonderful opportunity to mix with the locals presents itself at the several
colourful outdoor markets around the town. |
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Restaurants
A good selection of restaurants offer a
variety of different cuisine. Some hotel restaurants feature cultural nights
with local musicians and groups performing traditional song and dance. There are
a number of Chinese restaurants and others that specialise in fresh local
seafood such as Coconut Crab and Lobster. Japanese, Thai and Italian
dishes can also he found on the menus of Honiara.
Clubs
The Point Cruz Yacht Club, the Honiara
Golf Club, the Mariba Club and the Executive Club are situated downtown and welcome overseas guests for drinks
and light meals. Activities include regular dances, film nights, sailing and
boating, and golf tournaments. Several casinos in Honiara cater for both the
causal and serious punters who enjoy Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette and the
famous Pacific Poker.
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Worth Visiting
The National Parliament building, opened
in 1993, is a distinctive conical building overlooking the main town centre. A
tour of the entire building can be arranged with the Sergeant at Arms. The
National Museum also located in the town centre is open daily with displays of
dance and body ornamentation, traditional currencies, weaponry, and archaeology.
The Central Bank is a large modern building containing some interesting displays
of red feather money and other local currencies and very fine wood carvings. |
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Located past the national prison is the Botanical Gardens and herbarium with a
display of local orchids, and a selection of bush plants and trees mostly
typical of rainforests in the country.
The Honiara Central, Rove and Kukum
markets are the country's food markets where produce comes in from outlying
villages, and is worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. Here you will find an interesting
array of local goods and produce, from fresh fish and vegetables, fruit, peanuts
and betel nuts, to carvings, basketware, calico laplaps and shells. |
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| Both the US Memorial,
atop Skyline Ridge, bearing a detailed description of the battles fought during
the Guadalcanal Campaign, and the Japanese Peace Memorial, with it's four white
monoliths on Mt Austin offer panoramic views of the capital, Iron Bottom Sound
and the Florida Islands. |
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Getting Around In Honiara
Getting around is made easy with public buses that run along the main road, Mendana Avenue. A
destination card is displayed on the front window and fares are modest. Taxi
cabs are not metered but can be booked or flagged down in the street and the
fare should be negotiated before engaging them.
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