ONLINE GUIDE TO TOURING THE SOLOMON ISLANDS --|------Solomons Home ---|----Go to TikiTouring NZ

 

Handy to Know

 

 

By Richard Moore

What is the Solomon Islands dollar worth?

NZ $1 = SI $5.

A $1 = SI $6

US $1 = SI $7.50

1 Euro = SI $9

Click here for rates of all currencies against the Solomon Islands dollar.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL:

One of the most exciting things about travelling to the Solomon Islands is that it is like taking a journey back in time.

Of course it has quality accommodation and restaurants for visitors, but it is also a largely undeveloped country where you can't always get what you need.

This being the case it is worthwhile - and sensible - to ensure you take with you certain things.

That includes a small first-aid kit that includes some antiseptic ointment. In the tropics even small cuts can become infected and you are better off being safe than sorry.

You should also be immunised against Hepatitus A, Typhoid and have begun a course of anti-malarial tablets. Making sure your tetanus protection is up to date is also a good move.

Some anti-malarial tablets make you very sensitive to the sun - silly when you are needing them for hot climates and mine did leave me with some small skin blisters on my arms - but it is a small price to pay for avoiding malaria.

Do not forget to take motion sickness tablets if you get air or sea sick, sunscreen, a hat and mosquito repellent.

 

DRINKING WATER:

Do not drink unbottled water.

Ever.

Even in hotels.

And avoid drinks with ice in them.

I made it a policy of using bottled water even when brushing my teeth. I nearly forgot to do that a few times and was once instantly reminded when the water coming out of the tap was red!

 

BITEY THINGS:

Being a series of tropical islands the Solomons does have a number of things that can bite you.

There are snakes and large spiders - which I did not see even when trekking through jungle - but the most dangerous things would be salt water crocodiles.

Be wary around still waters near the coast and if the locals warn you away from an area make sure you listen to them!

 

LANGUAGES:

English is the official, but is spoken by only 1 to 2 per cent of the population.

Melanesian pidgin is lingua franca spoken in the islands.

There are also 87 indigenous languages.

 

Visit Solomon Island Visitors Bureau website by clicking here.

 

 

Copyright 2011 RICHARD MOORE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED