Archives: Destinations

There are not many nightclubs in the country, although you will find a lot of happening places to party. Locals are a vibrant bunch and on most of the bigger islands, they will welcome you to join their parties and gatherings, where you can have local food and beverages and dance away the evening with the locals.

Solomon Islands is an ecotourism hotspot. It is not a typical tropical beach resort type of a destination. Because of this, there are not a lot of touristy markets and shopping areas in the country. The capital city of Honiara has a few shops and markets where you can shop for local goods.

Melanesian handicrafts are beautiful and you can buy them at many shops in the center of the capital city. A yuzu nguzu is a typically carved souvenir which many people take back home from the country. You can also pick up locally printed t-shirts, local music CDs, books on the local culture and history in the capital city, or send postcards with beautiful signs from all over the country to loved ones back home.

King Solomon’s Handicrafts and Melanesian Handicrafts are two really good shops in Honiara to get souvenirs.

The cuisine of Solomon Islands is as varied as the people and the culture of the country. There are influences from all over Asia that can be seen in the local cuisines, along with western influences as well which have been infused into the culture over the last few centuries, since the first Europeans set foot in the region.

You can also have traditional Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, French and other international cuisines in cafes and restaurants all over the country. Given the location of the country, you can also get some of the freshest seafood you have ever had, from fish, prawns, shrimp, crabs and many other varieties to tease your palate.

There is no legal age for purchasing alcohol in the country. If you wish to drink at a restaurant or a bar, however, you need to be at least 21 years or older.

The Bamboo Bar cafe is a happening place and it’s widely known for its tropical vibrant atmosphere with a casual laid back feel. The daily specials are written on a chalkboard every morning. It is a great place for a lazy breakfast, lunch or snacks through the day. Nings Coffee Shop and Bakery is one of the hippest places in the capital city. It is a small cafe at the side of the road with wrought iron chairs and fast food options.

There are loads of things to do in Solomon Islands. There are active volcanoes, WWII wrecks, ancient villages to explore and people of various cultures to interact with as you travel across the country.

Being an archipelago, all the popular activities are in and around the ocean. There are many coral atolls in the region, making it a perfect place for snorkeling. Hundreds of sites are scattered all over the longest lagoon in the world, where you can snorkel and take in the beauty of the corals. If you want something more adventurous, you can scuba dive to wrecks and watch rays in their natural habitat. You can also go kayaking or take a lazy swim near the coast.

If you are bored of water activities at any point, there are other exciting activities that you can participate in. The Kolombangara is a perfect cone of a volcanic mountain where you can climb up to the rim, view the crater and get some jaw dropping views of the area from the top. There are a number of other hiking and trekking trails that dot the country.

Otherwise, you can go for organized walks. These walks cover villages, markets, parks and other areas of interest that are beautiful, vibrant and brimming with life in all forms. You can also visit lakes and waterfalls hidden among the mountains and volcanic craters.

Although the population consists mainly of native Melanesians, most of the country’s population has been converted to Christianity over the years. Anglicans are a majority, followed by Roman Catholics, Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists and other sects of Protestants. There are small tribal populations that have stuck to their indigenous beliefs as well.

English is the official language however very few people in the country actually speak it. Melanesian pidgin is a widely spoken language, alongside with 120 other languages spoken by various tribes around the country.

The people of the country have a very rich culture steeped in tradition. What this also means is that you have to be careful not to disrespect them in any way, knowingly or unknowingly. A few things to keep in mind, do not take photos of people without permission, photos of religious and other places of cultural importance may be sensitive, so ensure it is alright before shooting them, customs vary from community to community, so ask about them and try to follow as much as you can and do not walk around wearing beachwear or bikinis, except within the hotel you are staying at.

Tourists are advised to contact the office of the French Consulates in their country to obtain all necessary information regarding visa and passport when planning a trip to Tahiti.

Apart from European Union nationals and foreigners with a ten-year metropolitan France residence card, it is imperative for travelers to buy their return ticket. Alternatively, repatriation bonds could also be paid for upon arrival.

The tropical destination of French Polynesia receives plenty of the sunshine and just the right amount of rain for its thriving vegetation and colorful flowers. The temperatures in Tahiti typically range from 24 degrees C to 30 degrees C throughout the year. Lagoon water temperature is usually between 23 degrees C and 26 degrees C.

May to October is broadly considered as the ‘high’ time to visit Tahiti, during which you will experience milder temperatures and lesser rain showers. Humidity is also low and divers enjoy better visibility.

The Austral winter or dry season starts April and ends in October. There is unexpected coolness in the weather during these months. August and July are the best months as the southeast trade-winds blow in Tahiti. So you could move out early morning or evening wearing just a thin cotton sweater.

When visiting Tahiti, you must drop by at the Le Marche, a public market located in Papeete. At 155 years old, you will find an unlimited number of stands selling traditional Tahitian crafts, fruits, oils, vanilla, and flowers. It is the ideal place to buy authentic island merchandise and take back a souvenir for a loved one. With the exception of holidays, the market is open daily. Sunday mornings are particularly lively as locals gather for a fun family day at the market.

You can also enjoy a memorable dinner or dessert evening out at Vai’ete Square. It is famous for its informal dining options in the form of colorful food wagons that serve a plethora of favorite island dishes as well as desserts.

The circle-island tour has been a favorite of tourists for more than a hundred years. The tour route incorporates over seventy-one miles of beautiful coastline landscape with peaceful beaches, colored churches, and stunning cliffs. The famous stops in the tour include several waterfalls, overlooks, and heritage sites. The extended tour will also take visitors to the famous Tahiti-It peninsula.

You must indulge in some thrilling water sports such as snorkeling, diving, sailing, deep-sea fishing, canoeing when visiting Tahiti.

Tahiti is quite famous for serving up some delicious food. All over the island, you will find some excellent restaurants that offer French, Polynesian, Italian, American, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine.

Fish and various other seafood dishes will be part of almost every meal in Tahiti. The Tahitian food fare primarily includes poison cru, which is fish marinated using lime juice and coconut water. This is also Tahiti’s national dish and you will find several versions of this dish, some of them with Chinese or French influences.

Other types of seafood served on the island include crayfish, clams, shrimps and local fish from the ocean. You can gorge on the huge variety of tropical fruits available on the island such as mangoes, pineapple, coconuts, papaya, lime, grapefruit, and oranges. Local pork is also a part of many Tahitian dishes.

A popular local dish is a sandwich called ‘casse-route’, a must-try for tourists. Most of the poultry and red meat in Tahiti is sourced from New Zealand. So the restaurant menus will have less of chicken and beef dishes.

Dessert lovers should try the coconut bread called ‘Faraoa coco’. Firifiri, are donuts, shaped in the form of an ‘8′ and are enjoyed best when dipped in hot coffee.

One of the most beautiful museums of the South pacific is the Museum of Tahiti. It automatically features on the must-visit list of tourists. The museum showcases the recorded history of Polynesia. The highlights of the museum include historical artifacts and an exclusive collection of exquisite art carvings. It also contextualizes and presents the European arrival on the island.

Another famous museum to visit is the Gauguin Museum. Dedicated to the life of Paul Gauguin, the museum is located inside the famous Harrison Smith Botanical Gardens. It features the Gauguin’s exclusive exhibits as well as memorabilia such as document copies, sketches, block prints etc. There are also representations of some of his iconic paintings in the museum.

If you are mesmerized by pearls, visit Tahiti’s popular Pearl Museum. Solely dedicated to pearls, it demonstrates different presentations and describes the ancient practice and history associated with the cultivation of pearls. They also throw light on the role of pearls in history, art, religion and mythology.

The Botanical Garden can be found right next to the Gauguin Museum. This beautiful, well-maintained garden hosts several hundred varieties of plants, tropical trees as well as flowers including bananas, hibiscus, palms, and bamboo.

Tahitian cultures incorporate a unique oral tradition. This involves religious mythology including ‘Oro’ and ancient traditions like navigation and tattooing. The Heivā Festival is an annual celebration of the culture, music, sports and dance. A competitive race takes place between the various French Polynesian islands using outrigger canoes. Oral history also recounts various adventures of warriors and gods in colorful folklore. Javelin shooting was a sport played by the gods and the kings favored surf riding.

The Tahitians, also called the Maohis, are natives of Tahiti. They are among the most important indigenous Polynesian population of Oceania. The Polynesian language, Tahitian is spoken primarily. It has its origins in Eastern Polynesia.

A distinct cultural feature of the Tahiti islands is the Tahitian dance, which is famous all over the world. This traditional dance is called the ‘ote’a and has the dancers lined in rows. It can be easily identified by the signature grass skirts and swift hip-shaking movement. This traditional dance is among a few which were performed in the pre-European times by males.

The national sport of Tahiti is Va’a, paddle sports, also called outrigger canoe. Surfing, rugby, football, and basketball are other famous sports played on the island.

Covering over two million sqm. miles of the beautiful South Pacific Ocean, the Tahiti islands comprise 118 islands spread over 5 archipelagos. While several islands are adorned with sharp peaks, others appear to float freely above the waves. Tahiti is located somewhere between Australia and California and falls in the Hawaii time zone.

Tahiti has its own international airport called the Faa’a International Airport, at a distance 5 km from Papeete. The airport was built in 1960 to aid various social and economic changes occurring at that particular time. Presently, almost seven different airlines are welcomed at the Faa’a International Airport. There are direct flights connecting Tahiti to several destinations all over the world including Los Angeles, Paris, Honolulu, Auckland, Tokyo, Rarotonga, Easter Island and Noumea.

Air Tahiti Nui was launched in 1998 and connects Tahiti to the above mentioned international destinations. In 2009, two direct routes for New York and Sydney were closed due to economic reasons.

Air Tahiti takes flights to forty different destinations. Several popular destinations including Bora Bora, Raiatea/Rangiroa, and Huahine have daily flights operational which connect them to Tahiti. However, the Marquesas and certain other islands have just one flight running every week.