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| New Georgia Archipelago | ||
| Country | Solomon Islands | |
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| The search for a province ends with the state | ||
| Residents | unknown | |
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| height | 813 m | |
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The New Georgia Islands form the core of the Western Province the Solomon Islands in the southern Pacific. In total, fewer than eighty thousand people live here. The largest town is the administrative center of Gizo on the island of Ghizo. The actual New Georgia Island with the towns of Seghe and Munda is 2037 km² in size and has almost 20,000 inhabitants. One speaks in about 15 Northwest Solomon languages, each with a few thousand speakers.
background
Next Guadalcanal with the state capital Honiara this archipelago is the only other destination in the Solomon Islands that is frequently visited by (diving) tourists. The water temperature is fairly constant 28 ° C, visibility outside of the stormy season around twenty meters. The inhabitants around the largest salt water lagoon in the world, which is popular with divers, the 700 km² large, protected by a double reef 1 Marovo Lagoon(8 ° 28 ′ 48 ″ S158 ° 4 '12 "E) are fanatical 7-day Adventists whose Sabbath is from Friday sunset to Sunday morning. Outsiders are not welcome during this time.
Islands
The larger islands are, besides the actual New Georgia, Vella Lavella, Kolombangara (a no longer active volcano), Ghizo, Vangunu, Rendova and Tetepare.
Kasolo became famous in the United States after a young torpedo boat captain stranded here in 1943 became president twenty years later. The island was therefore named in 2 Kennedy Island(8 ° 6 ′ 46 ″ S156 ° 54 ′ 20 ″ E) around. It can be reached from Gizo by boat in a quarter of an hour.
getting there
By plane
Just Solomon Island Air served from Honaira, by small aircraft, routes with stopovers:
- 1 Nusatupe Airport (Gizo) (IATA: GZO).
Expanded in 2011. Nusatupe is a small island 2 km from Ghizo, which can be reached by boat (2016: SB $ 60). Flights from Honaira only once a week. The booking office is on Middenway Rd. (☎ 677 60173, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Smaller landing sites are at Viru, Ramata
(IATA: RBV), Gatokae(IATA: GTA), Ringgi Cove, Barakoma and Balalai.
By boat
Ferries from Port Cruz-Port in Honiara usually run once a week via Marovo (up to 10-13 hours) to Gizo, with a journey time of 27 hours. A place on the ferry freighter MV Fair Glory 2016 cost SB $ 480 on deck and SB $ 1490 for a cabin. The price is the same on the MV Anjeanette, the served route (Aug. 2018): Honiara ↔ Bunikalo ↔ Gasini ↔ Chea ↔ Seghe (Marovo Lagoon) ↔ Ughele (Rendova Island) ↔ Noro (bus to Munda) ↔ Ringgi (Kolombangara Island) ↔ Gizo.
Cruise ships occasionally call at Gizo.
Sailing yachts
Formalities for those coming from abroad can be done in Gizo (Immigration behind the ANZ-Bank; Customs ☎ 677 74 59766) or Noro (☎ 677 61011, Customs ☎ 677 61097 at the market, quarantine without a sign in the same building). See details on the Regulations in the Solomon Islands. In any case, the consent of the local “chief” (to be received by payment) must be obtained on the smaller islands, even if you want to swim, dive or fish!
places
Gizo
Dynamic cardsGizo is on the headland that forms the southeast end of Ghizo (11 ⨉ 5 km). With just over 8,000 inhabitants, it is the second largest city in the Solomon Islands and the commercial center of the Western Province. A large part of the inhabitants are descendants of the I-Kiribati, who were owned by the English colonial administration, including the Phoenix Islands (= Rawaki), were forcibly relocated here in the 1930s and 1950s.
The market (Mon-Sat from 6:00 a.m.) is on the coast and consists of no more than a few stalls and spread out tarpaulins on the ground, protected by parasols. Most busy, with vendors from neighboring islands, is Monday and Friday. Dive Gizo also sells handicrafts mainly in the form of wood and stone carvings. Here you can also arrange hikes in the nature reserve of the island 3 Kolombangara(7 ° 58 ′ 0 ″ S157 ° 4 ′ 0 ″ E) including volcano ascent, which costs at least SB $ 2000 per person for 2 days, depending on the group size.
From the village there is a country road along the west coast, to which another approximately one kilometer inland runs practically parallel. Both end near the northern tip of Ghizos at Sagheragi.
Accommodation in and around Ghizo
For a similar quality, the accommodations are at least a quarter cheaper than on Guadalcanal.
- Gizo Hotel, Gizo. Tel.: 677 60199. Room air-conditioned or with fan. WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS. Boat charter for fishing. Received rather mixed reviews, although the restaurant received praise. Australian operator who also owns Kennedy Island and who destroyed the coral reef to expand it. His brother runs Fatboys.Characteristic: ★★★.
- 3 Oravae Island Cottages. With a small pool and private beach. Pick up from the airport. Despite 3 * self-description, prices of the upper class for wooden bungalows.Characteristic: ★★★.
- 4 Urilolo Lodge, Saeraghi. Tel.: 677 86 24768. Bamboo huts (minimum occupancy 2 people) on stilts near the beach. Washing machine. Guided hikes and fishing trips as well as day trips to Ranongga and Simbo (each SB $ 800 fuel) or the wreck of the Toa Maru are offered for a fee.Price: SB $ 270-360 per double.
- 5 Fatboys Resort, Babanga Island. Tel.: 677 60095. In addition to diving and snorkeling offers, there are also guided hiking tours on the mountainous island.Price: Double bungalows SB $ 1365-1680, there are 7 nights for the price of 6- etc. Packages.
New Georgia and Vangunu
Kohinggo Island is connected to New Georgia by a land bridge to the north; However, the road from Munda ends in the port city of Noro. 4 Vangunu, which is best reached via Seghe, joins New Georgia to the south.
The remains of a sunk Japanese ship protrude from the water in Baeroko Bay. On land there are still overgrown cannons.
Kolombangara Island
An almost circular volcanic island, north of Kohinggo separated from it by the narrow Blackett Strait. The only bigger village is 1 Ringgi. From here a coastal road runs counterclockwise around two thirds of the island.
Seghe and Vagunu
The locality 5 Seghe with a small airfield is located on the coast of the narrow channel between the two islands of Vangunu and New Georgia. It is the starting point for stays in the Marovo lagoon. Ferries from Honiara stop here.
The 520 meter high 6 Mt. Reku can be climbed as part of a day tour.
- Marovo lagoon
The tourist operation around the Marovo Lagoon on the north side of Vagunus is geared towards water sports enthusiasts.
- accommodation
- 6 Matikuri Lodge. Tel.: 677 78 87128. Simple, with shared bathroom, only cold water. No electricity, there are kerosene lamps at night. Meals are to be paid separately in cash.Price: Dorm bungalow: SB $ 200 p.p., Honeymoon bungalow SB $ 285. Airport transfer SB $ 280.
Munda
The "town center" is the village of Lambete with a few shops, etc. The hustle and bustle of the market, the products are spread out on tarpaulins on the ground, is on the "waterfront." The small 2 Helena Goldie Hospital is near Munda Point at the west end of the runway.
For trips to the 7 Skull Island in the Vonavona lagoon is SB $ 50 Kastom-Entrance due (2016). As the name suggests, you can visit skulls from the 1920s, which are kept in a shrine.
- accommodation
- Zipolo Habu Resort, Lola Island. Tel.: 677 62178. Bungalows of different comfort classes, the simpler ones only have electricity from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., made of traditional materials. One is also prepared for guests who want to anchor in front of the complex with their own sailing boat.
Tetepare
The 27 × 8 km island 8 Tetepare(8 ° 44 ′ 44 ″ S157 ° 33 '19 "E) has been almost completely uninhabited since 1860. Biologists count 230 bird, 24 reptile, 4 frog and 13 mammal species. The descendants of the previous residents manage it as a nature conservation project. One has a simple one Eco Lodge with space for 16 people, which can be booked in Munda (☎ 677 62163). The transfer takes 2½ hours from Munda and is charged at SB $ 2000 per boat.
Shortland Islands
The group as well as hers 9 Main island(7 ° 3 ′ 0 ″ S155 ° 45 ′ 0 ″ E) is named after the discoverer John Shortland, administratively still belongs to the Western Province but is already close to Bougainville in the north, which can be reached quickly in small boats (no official transition yet).
The Japanese aircraft that remained on Balalae Island were sold abroad in 2007.
mobility
It takes 15-20 minutes to fly between Gizo and Munda, or it takes around two hours in a motorboat to get there directly.
Transfers to accommodation will be organized in consultation. They are usually charged separately.
Pelena Express and Rava (bookable through Agnes Lodge in Munda; 2016 SB $ 250) are two boats that commute two to three times a week between Gizo and Munda and dock on smaller islands for passengers if necessary.
Tourist Attractions
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Practically all of the islands in the archipelago, including the larger coral reefs, are covered with tropical rainforest.
On the 27 × 8 km (142 km²) island 10 Ranongga one discovered old stone carvings. The local language Ghanongga is understood by around 2500 people. The entire island was raised two to three meters in the 2007 earthquake. This destroyed the old coral reef and its fishing grounds.
activities
Especially water sports. Surfers find good waves off Pailongge in the south of Ghizo from October to April.
shop
There are small markets in Munda and Gizo. On some smaller islands, alcohol is not welcome, but if you bring your own supplies discreetly, no problem.
kitchen
Traditional food made from local fruits, fish and vegetables, usually served by the hotel. You shouldn't expect culinary highlights.
nightlife
Killing mosquitoes. Many smaller islands have electricity, if any, from generators.
health
There is a high risk of malaria all year round in the Solomon Islands.
Practical advice
Cell phone reception is available in Munda, Seghe, Gizo and Saeraghi. In Noro there are SIM cards in My Telecom-Building, which can be recognized from a distance by the red radio mast on the roof.
trips
Most hotels organize boat tours on a daily basis.
literature
See also general travel guides in Country article.
- ; Page digital (Ed.): The Last Wild Island: Saving Tetepare. Adelaide, 2011, ISBN 978-0-9807600-3-3 .
