Page 157 - Pacific Paradises 2019

— Solomon Islands —

HONIARA

Honiara, the capital of the Climb Mount Austin, passing Solomon Guadalcanal is Rennell Island. On the
Solomon Islands, which is Peace Memorial Park, for sweeping views south side of the island, the large Lake
situated on Guadalcanal, has a of the northern coastal plains. Other Te’Nggano contains some 200 tiny
population of more than 67,000 historic sites include the Red Beach on coral atolls and is home to a prolific
and is located on a coastal stretch the coastal plain. bird population. Access to the lake is by
overlooking Iron Bottom Sound. East of Tenaru is the Tenaru Falls, an tractor, canoe and jungle walk.
The town centre has a shopping plaza, impressive 60-metre waterfall. And The Florida Islands are the closest island
cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops. situated in a westerly direction from group to Guadalcanal and was the pre-
There’s a Chinatown and of course, Honiara town is Bonigi Beach, five war Solomon capital of Tulagi. It was
the Central Markets. Major meeting kilometres west of Poha. At the eastern turned into a navy shipbuilding and
places can be found in private clubs that end of Guadalcanal is Marau Sound, a repair facility during the war.
welcome visitors. coral paradise. Here there are huge reefs Savo Island is a cloud-shrouded place,
of coral in unique and beautiful shapes
One of the most spectacular waterfalls which are home to a teeming array of and its waters house the graves of at
in the South Pacific is Mataniko Falls, tropical fish and fascinating sea life. least four ships that were sunk during
a two-hour walk from Honiara. It has There are also giant clams and some of the Battle of Savo. Today it is an ideal
many large pools for swimming and an the world’s rarest sea shells. picnic spot and a divers’ paradise with
impressive stalagmite-covered cave which its sunken ships, sleepy villages and
is home to vast numbers of swallows. About 250 kilometres south of magnificent crystal clear waters.

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