Honiara, the capital of the
Solomon Islands, which is
situated on Guadalcanal, has a
population of more than 50,000
and is located on a coastal stretch
overlooking Iron Bottom Sound.
The town centre has a shopping plaza,
cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops.
There's a Chinatown and of course,
the Central Markets. Major meeting
places can be found in private clubs that
welcome visitors.
One of the most spectacular waterfalls
in the South Pacific is Mataniko Falls,
a two-hour walk from Honiara. It has
many large pools for swimming and an
impressive stalagmite-covered cave which
is home to vast numbers of swallows.
Climb Mount Austin, passing Solomon
Peace Memorial Park, for sweeping views
of the northern coastal plains. Other
historic sites include the Red Beach on
the coastal plain.
East of Tenaru is the Tenaru Falls, an
impressive 60-metre waterfall. And
situated in a westerly direction from
Honiara town is Bonigi Beach, five
kilometres west of Poha. At the eastern
end of Guadalcanal is Marau Sound, a
coral paradise. Here there are huge reefs
of coral in unique and beautiful shapes
which are home to a teeming array of
tropical fish and fascinating sea life.
There are also giant clams and some of
the world's rarest sea shells.
About 250 kilometres south of
Guadalcanal is Rennell Island. On the
south side of the island, the large Lake
Te'Nggano contains some 200 tiny
coral atolls and is home to a prolific
bird population. Access to the lake is by
tractor, canoe and jungle walk.
The Florida Islands are the closest island
group to Guadalcanal and was the pre-
war Solomon capital of Tulagi. It was
turned into a navy shipbuilding and
repair facility during the war.
Savo Island is a cloud-shrouded place,
and its waters house the graves of at
least four ships that were sunk during
the Battle of Savo. Today it is an ideal
picnic spot and a divers' paradise with
its sunken ships, sleepy villages and
magnificent crystal clear waters.
H O N I A R A
— S o l o m o n I s l a n d s —
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