FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SOLOMON ISLANDS

Personally, being a Solomon Islander  can be tough but if you are lucky enough and play it to your advantage it can be the perfect ice breaker in nearly all first-encounters , the awkward silence and small talk disappear completely. Tough, meaning I have to have answers and set people straight, some have the cannibal illusion others , naked girls with flowers and hula dancers, beautiful beaches , paradise and a laid back easy life (I'm sure you get my drift). I have millions of funny memories trying to explain where Solomon Islands is and its always the same if I happen to meet the same person again after the usual greetings they would jump right into " I went home and google Solomon Islands......wow"

I'm yet to check out what wikipedia is saying about Solomon Islands to fully understand what the "wow" means.....

On one occasion I happen to meet the son of an ambassador to Japan, he ask me where I was from I told him. Next time we bumped into each other again, He started off with "You liar, now tell me where you are exactly from" .....I was shocked. He then explained that he googled it up but according to google its uninhabited.....hehehehehe....*I figured* ..... He googled SALOMON .....

Another occasion, I was explaining to a Japanese where I'm from  etc etc, A few minutes later he asked " Which part of Africa is Solomon Islands located, South, west or east?" .......Guess geography isn't one of his strongest subjects.

What I find a bit weird is that the Japanese fought one of their bloodiest war in Solomon Islands, Its gotta be somewhere in their history books.....I hope. (note to self:  the Japanese know SI as Guadalcanal)

The Americans scramble  to our rescue *the worlds*,  I know contemporary history is not the most interesting but cmon! ......

I compiled a few questions that people ask me about Solomon Islands. So that next time I just direct them to my blog....GENIUS!!!!!

WHERE IS IT?

Well Solomon Islands is Located in the Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, northeast of Australia and Southeast of Japan.

WHAT IS THE POPULATION?

The population stands at half a million as of 2010 est (609,794 to be exact) but is growing at  the rate of a bullet train. * 2.3%*

WHAT IS THE CURRENCY?

 Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD$). But don't get too comfortable after checking the exchange rates, Solomon Islands is a bit expensive.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST EXPORT INCOME?
it use to be logs, tuna, gold and oil palm. However due to the recent crisis all exports were crippled, our forest is over harvested and the tuna industry lost its biggest clients. The gold mining company and the oil palm plantation closed due to security reasons. Now most companies are in operation again but yet to start exporting their produce.

DO YOU HAVE FOUR SEASONS?
No we don't. In Solomon Islands its just wet and dry. With extreme humidity and heavy rainfalls through out some months of the year. Daily temperatures normally 27  degree Celsius with some days hotter or cooler than others.

WHAT IS THE MOTHER TONGUE?

In Solomon Islands there are about a hundred native languages and dialects, however the official language is English. The common language is Pidgin, which until recently is only a spoken language.

Keep in mind that not all Solomon Islanders speak English, try mashing it up with some ragga jammin I'm sure that's what most will understand. Pidgin is broken English , with a few native words here and there. And no its not the same as the one spoken in Hawaii and Nigeria, but quite similar to the Papuan Pidgin (Tok Pisin)

 ALL SOLOMON ISLANDERS LOOK LIKE YOU?

Hell no!!!!! mother nature will freak!

We have 3 different races in the Solomon Islands. The majority being Melanesian with 94.5% of the population ,   Polynesian (3%) and Micronesian (1.2%). A few thousand ethnic Chinese and Europeans.  With intermarriages between these races we also have people who differ from the typical Melanesian or Polynesian features......EXHIBIT A...

IS SOLOMON ISLANDS A FREE STATE?

Yes has been for the last 30 years but still  is a common wealth country.

Was once a British protectorate but was granted self governance in 1976 then gained its independence in 1978. 

WHAT ABOUT THE SEA LEVEL RISE SCARE?

Solomon Islands is not that small, we do have high raised Islands. Sure there are parts of Solomon Islands that are facing that threat as we speak but its not that bad for the whole country. Maybe we could relocate those under threat but generally speaking Solomon Islands is not a pancake.

THE SECURITY SITUATION IN SI?

Well we do have our fair share of troubles and crime rate are not too bad for a country that is struggling with social issues.. Yeah the ethnic tension was no joke but we are not like that all the time. Solomon Islands is still a peaceful country with petty crimes. We are yet to witness a horrendous killing or a serial killer on the loose. Sure its not wise to venture out alone at night with your valuables but that's common sense. You don't do that in any other country, maybe Japan is the only exception. In Solomon Islands being careful goes a long way but its not as bad as some embassies portray. Now with the presence of the Ramsi, an Australian lead  joint military and Police force in the Solomons it safer.

In the provinces we still have our cultural values, crimes are still dealt with the traditional way, with gift exchange or compensation. Where the defendant pays a small amount of money to the victims family.

WHAT ABOUT THE TSUNAMI OF 2007?

Probably  the first of its kind in the Solomon Islands. It did damage a few areas and villages but not the capital city. The death toll was at least 52 people and destroying 900 homes. The affected areas received alot of aid and donations from other local communities and organisation as well as international relief support teams.

WHAT IS SOLOMON ISLANDS KNOWN FOR?

Marovo Lagoon

Solomon Islands is known for its beautiful beaches, waterfalls, volcanic Islands. Solomon Islands the proud host of the worlds largest natural salt water lagoon, Marovo Lagoon. And is considered the melting pot of the south pacific countries where 3 different races merge. Also rich in history from the first settlers to the early explorers, whalers, black birders, the missionaries and then world war 2.  A country so rich in culture and cultural practises that even in this modern day and age are kept alive.   sadly, today Solomon Islands is well known for the coup, the ethnic tension and rioting. Those past events left a scar in the image of Solomon islands. And if you read through what the web has to say about Solomon Islands, as a Solomon Islander I feel sick and ashamed. Sometimes angry how the media and some articles exaggerate and blow events out of proportion. Bad reputation sticks like glue.

THE WILDLIFE?
We are lucky enough not to have Lions, Giraffe or monkeys etc etc. Might become a good source of meat for us Islanders..... No life threatening animals in the Solomon Islands, we have the occasional crocodile rebellion,* funny no shark in revolution*
So its just cats and dogs, snakes *nothing poisonous i hope*, insects, rats (a lot of rats) that's it. Oh! and all kinds of frogs, big eyed ones, fat ones, tea cup size frogs.......and the house hold drain frogs. Some exotic birds and sea creatures to name a few...

HOW TO GET TO SOLOMON ISLANDS?
From Tokyo, Narita airport to Port moresby then Solomon Islands. Or can travel through Australia. From Europe, transit through Australia or Fiji. You can always check your travel agent on a cheaper route to the Solomon Islands.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO A VISITING TOURIST?
Don't expect too much, the transport system can be a bit frustrating. Some great places to visit are remote and getting there alone is tough. Solomon Islands is not a place for the faint hearted, if you are planning a luxurious trip then this is not the place for you. Be prepared to reschedule your domestic flights to the provinces. The people are friendly and will help you out however sometimes the system doesn't work to your benefit.
Don't pack valuables on this trip, just a few essentials.
Going to the Solomon Islands and enjoying it like all things in life is up to you as an individual. You can make the best out of everything and have a great time or just simply complain your way through it.......that's totally up to you.

So there you have it, Solomon Islands in brief................