Bilikiki Dive & Cruises- Solomon Islands.. 1 space available for Easter 2017 14/04-17/04/2017 .. 3 nights- 3 days.. are you a solo traveller this Easter Wknd.. 1

Bilikiki Dive & Cruises- Solomon Islands

                                                                    

       
All inclusive in cost of cruise.. diving in some of the best spots in the Solomon Islands, your accommodation (twin share cabins) all your meals, also for non-dive-ticket-holders: there is snorkelling, fishing (not near divers), swimming, relax.. speak or contact the Bilikiki team if you want more detailed information, contact info attached below..  

There are also 1 or 2 island stops, if fishing interests you, notify them in-advanced and the Bilikiki team will arrange a tinny and one of the team will take you to an allocated spot.. (fishing is not permitted within the Islands & reefs)

 
If you think you’ve missed out this time, you & frens will get another opportunity,  Bilikiki Dive & Cruise Solomon Islands has planned another dive cruise for 28/04-30/04/2017.. look for post towards the end of this week.. or contact them

contact: enquiries or bookings/ Honiara office: +677 20412 …. located upstairs near Yacht Club

Email: bilikiki@solomon.sb… 

‘Maravagi Resort’.. on the island of Mangalonga, part of Florida Islands area.. snorkelling is just so easy to do here, out front of your room, service was friendly, food plentiful.. discover the boat wreck and coral reefs (soft), heaps of tropical fish, huge clams, baitball, manta rays.. stunning & vibrant colours, warm water.. great for underwater photographs Reply

Maravagi Resort: Part of the Florida Island area.. Solomon Islands..

  

 

Just returned from a snorkelling weekend away @ this stunning area, (underwater shots done on my gopro camera).. heaps of tropical fish, baitball, ship wreck, manta rays (not this time), sandy beaches, bush/ hill walk (check with hosts), basic & humble accommodation, good food (daily menu) great company.. quiet & peaceful too.. 
just laze away the hours, snorkelling just right next to island, took my ukulele to play quiet easy listening music, there is walking on the stunning beach, or take photo’s (ask permission to take photo of local people)..

     

Maravagi Island, part of the Florida Group of Island 
Solomon Islands

Traditional owners are the hosts, with the help of family members.. (Some work & live on site)
Maravagi Resort contacts: 
Bookings: John: +677 885 5470

Joyce: +677 873 8777

Mathias: +677 732 4472

{Editors notes: some of the easiest and best snorkelling & photography I’ve done.. everything was easy access..just returned from 2 days & nights out on Maravagi Resort, service was friendly & helpful, meals plentiful..couldn’t eat it all.. rooms were basic but, after plenty of activities like snorkelling, photographing everything, walking, and playing my ukulele and a shower.. anywhere to sleep was welkam..

If you walk outside the boundaries of the resort, ask your hosts; where ‘not’ to walk, ask for information of where to go, what the track is like.. stick to the tracks, let someone know where you’re going and approx time of return.. wear clothes that cover your legs/ arms (or sarong & open cotton L/S shirt) because of sandflies & mozzies..

One thing you might notice.. it’s peaceful & quiet, plenty of places to sit and while-away your time, read a book, watch everyone swim or snorkel.. everything is within walking distance.. 

unfortunately didn’t get to see the ‘manta rays this time’ but there was plenty to do & see.. (only confident swimmers/ snorkellers need try this, they feed in strong currents, banana boat ride out to these is separate cost, if you don’t see any, you don’t pay for it)

Pack a parker/ rain coat (light-weight): One thing I wished have packed was my ‘raincoat/ parker’, it rained off & on, that wasn’t a problem I was already wet, but I needed it for the early banana boat ride back to civilisation.. 

What I packed: travel towel, toothbrush/paste/ travel bottle with sml amount of shampoo/ conditioner/ moisturiser/ liq soap, Easy enuf to pack a foldable wide brimmed hat, mozzie repellant (there are mozzies), togs & snorkel gear, light clothes (sarong, best to pack cotton gear to wear: long comfy pants/ cotton dress/ long sleeved top etc), pack your thongs, comfy walking shoes/ or rock shoes, I took my own water bottle (3 small frozen filtered alkaline water from home).. note: they did have sum small bottled water for sale.. pack sum plastic seal-up bags (if your boat trip is a wet one- your stuff may stay dry).. my ukulele was in a hard case, on the banana boat, there is storage space to put your stuff, they supply life jackets.. but if you got one- take it.. the boat trip takes between 1 1/2- 2 1/2 hours all pending weather & ocean (crossing) conditions..

* Accommodation is basic bungalow, sheets & pillow, mozzie net, fans provided (please ask for one)..
* Banana Boat trip there & back is separate cost.. take a group or share with others (5-8) share cost of boat.. note: separate to accommodation cost

* 3 meals a day on offer, daily menu, was separate cost to accommodation & boat trips, plenty to eat, when we were there we all enjoyed fruits, fish pieces, fish whole, fish soup, chicken, curried dishes with rice, beef sausages, beef mince (variety of dishes), eggs, vegetables, salad (loved the salad), plenty of rice & the best hand made bread & rolls.. (made & baked onsite)

*vegetarians please notify when booking

I’d just like to say a big tankiu tumas to frens & the former editor of pineapplepost, Gerald & his wife Cat for the invite & for helping out, you made my snorkelling weekend a memorable one.. 

and thank you to all the team that work & live on-site, all local people on Maravagi Resort.. the service was friendly, food plentiful..

  

Arnavon Island Easter 2017 Weekend Package, also staying at Vavaghio Guest House via Santa Isobel Island Reply

Open-air Arts & Crafts in the park, outside the Art Gallery, Honiara Reply

Open Air Arts & Crafts in the park..’ Honiara, Solomon IslandsOpen 10am-4pm (best times)

Part of the Solomon Islands National Art Gallery (SINAG), Honiara..

Outside, under the colourful market stalls, you’ll find an array of hand made products by local Solomon Islanders, some of the traditional skills have been handed down thru their family generations, and show a strong Melanesian cultural influence.. they also use this space as their ‘studio’ and you can see them sitting under a tree, carving, using the specific timber or stone that they have been taught to use.. one of the carvers, Billy Vinajama is 82 years of age, from Gatokae Island at the gateway of Marovo Island, Billy is very passionate about his carving career & achievement and informs me he has been carving in stone for 44 years..

The ‘Avaiki Women’s Group (Women’s Arts & Crafts Group) are hapi, vibrant & actively involved in their craft: the weavers make mats, bags/ baskets/ kete (bag), fans/ jewellery & many more.. there are makers of print/ tie-dye on t-shirts/ dresses/ lavalava & cloth, some make jewellery produced out shell beads/ paper beads into intricate pieces of wearable jewellery.. the women’s leader is ‘Janet Ramoteo’

Avaiki Women’s Group: (women’s group photo)

L-R; 1:Janet Ramoteo, 2:Ela Maesulia, 3:Lucy Bangoika, 4:Nancy Tangangiki, 5:Ruth Sina, 6:Tala Maitaki, 7:Nancy Teabaika, 8:Melina Teahe, 9:Joyce Augia, 10:Nancy Tango, 11:Tusiato Graley, 12:Nesary Taiake, 13:Rose Maenaha..

L-R; 1:Lisah Tony, 2:Marion Tembe, 3:Grace Delson, 4:Rose Sasali, 5:Tahira Joe, 6:Jewter Orelly, 7:Rosa Giaka, 8:Rosana Farodo

Contact: If you have any enquiries, please contact Janet Ramoteo, Avaiki Women’s Group.

You can also ring Janet +677 773 0174 (Women’s Group Leader)

Location: Main Street of Honiara, on the corner, next to the round-about that leads to the Heritage Park Hotel, in the surrounding grounds next to the Solomon Islands National Art Gallery, (or, if staying at the Heritage Park Hotel Honiara, it is on the right side as you enter), there is a entertainment stage, large building that hosts & exhibits up to 60 local artist’s work, from paintings, sculptures, woven craft, jewellery out of paper & shell & carvings in timber & stone.. and more, these are for sale.

Opening times: 10am-4pm/ Monday-Saturday  ((Note: Some Stall Holders open on Sundays, but not all))

So, come down and have a chat, or you can watch traditional local & national Solomon Islander carvers, weavers, knitters & jewellery makers create their magic..

Pijin Klas & Kuking Klas: ringim Maggie lo namba Reply

Piksa blong Maggie an Veronika (Edita)
Solomon Island Piji Klas & Kuking Klas:

Maggie Wateha’a 
South Malaita, Malaita province

Setifikit:

• Tisim solomon aelan pijin (U.S peace Corps)
• Linqiust

Bukking (SICHE)
Sekreteri
Diploma

• Laebrian (US Peace Corps

Klas:

• Pijin klas : (long request)- 
• Kuking klas (fresh lokol prodius)
• Culture orenteison

• Biginas (kos) course
• Advance(kos)

• grup (1- 15 pipol)
• aoas (kos) 1 aoa tu 2 
• kost ( toktok abaotim )

Taem: : from 7am – 9pm
Mandei tu satudei

(bitwin aoas)

Sapos iu garem eni questin iu ringim maggie lo namba 
+6777473631

+6777399677

Pijin Classes & Cooking Classes: ring Maggie Reply

Photo of Maggie (Pijin tutor/ cooking tutor) & Veronika (Editor)

Taken 16/03/2017 @ Lime Lounge cafe, Honiara

Maggie Wateha’a from Malaita Province, South Malaita

Maggie has been teaching ‘Solomon Island Pijin’ for 22 years, involved with RAMSI since 2004 up until 2016, and was involved with a variety of International NGO’s , VSA (Volunteers Service Abroad), AVI, NZH, Australian High Commission.. Maggie has also been involved with the American Peace Corps for 12 years, achieved a certificate teaching S.I Pijin through Peace Corp’s Washington (cert In Linguistics)..

Besides ‘Pijin Classes’, Maggie also teaches

Certificate:

• Teaching Solomon Island Pijin 
• Linguistics

Diploma: 

• Librarian (English)

‘CLASSES’:

• Pijin 
  
• Cooking; for beginners up to advanced / ingredients are ‘fresh local produce’..
  
• Culture Orientation’ classes:

• From one person up to group of 15′
• (No matter how small the group)
• Individuals
• group of 15..

Times: 7am – 9pm.
Duration: Classes run from 1Hour up to 2 Hours (course)

Days: Monday to Saturdays

Cost: (negotiable)

 If you have any queries please contact Maggie

+677 747 3631

+6777399677

Honiara, Solomon Islands

Press Release..’Solomon Islands Dive Expeditions’ Sponsors Largest Photography Contest in Solomon Islands History.. Reply

Solomon Islands Dive Expeditions Sponsors Largest Photography Contest in Solomon Islands History

Solomon Islands Dive Expeditions along with our sister-company Dive Munda, is hosting the largest photography contest in Solomon Islands history. With over $22,000USD ($1.7 million SBD) in prizes, we expect to draw submissions from around the world.

Photographers are invited to submit their best photos or portfolios of life above or underwater in Solomon Islands. An international jury will reward the best portfolio along with best underwater shots. Up to 100 honorable mentions will be selected and submitted for public judging and selection of an additional prize winner.

Solomon Islands is still relatively undiscovered by travellers. We want our visitors to share their experiences and inspire others to visit these beautiful happi isles. From WWII relics scattered in the jungle to leaf-hut villages where traditional culture is alive, there’s so much on offer. Then there’s the visual appeal, with scenery reminiscent of a Discovery Channel documentary: volcanic islands, croc-infested mangroves, huge lagoons, amazing underwater vistas and tropical islets. Travelling the Solomons onboard Taka allows divers and adventure seekers to discover the very best of the Central and Western provinces.

Practical information:
Full Rules and Details
Deadline: Dec 31, 2017
Results of the Vote: Jan/Feb 2018
Photographs must comply with contest rules and must be submitted 

via the Ultimate Photo Competition page.

About Solomon Islands Dive Expeditions
Solomon Islands Dive Expeditions first started operations in 2014 with its vessel Solomon Star. In 2016, the company expanded operations with a new vessel, Taka. With 12 guest rooms housing up to 24 clients, Taka explores diving in some of the most remote and beautiful locations in the Solomons. Divers explore cuts and caverns, WWII wrecks and pristine coral diversity throughout the Ngella and Russell Island groups as well as travelling to Marovo Lagoon. While scuba diving is the main focus of these trips, Taka’s guests are also introduced to the vibrant culture within Solomon Islands with village visits and tours. 

Contact: To learn more about this contest, 
please visit our website at http://www.solomonsdiving.com or email:

Shaz Kozak, Solomon Islands Dive Expeditions

Email: shaz@dive-solomon.com
——
Full Rules and Details hyperlink: 

http://www.solomonsdiving.com/photo-contest-rules
Ultimate Photo Competition hyperlink: 

http://www.solomonsdiving.com/ultimate-photo-competition-entry
 
 

“Be Bold for Change”.. International Women’s Day theme.. Honiara parade will take place on Wednesday 8th March 2017, 8:00am starting @ Honiara City Council Parking area to Art Gallery 3

YWPG members marching on International Women’s Day 2016… ISun file photoWOMEN’S Ministry in Solomon Islands announces the International Women’s Day is set for Wednesday, March 8.

The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) confirmed Solomon Islands are set for celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day on Wednesday with the theme “Be Bold for Change”.
In Solomon Islands, the event regard as an important for Women’s Ministry to look at launching the Gender and Women’s Development Policy and the Women Policy followed by Gender Equality Where We Stand Report.
In addition, the National Women Peace Security and National Action Plan 2017-2021, is also one document MWYCF is eyeing for launching as it pending cabinet’s approval.
The Acting Director for Women Division, MWYCFA, Vaela Ngai calling public’s support and asking nation to joins the Women’s special day to hear their stories and feel their experiences, one time of the year to reflect on their achievements.
“I call to public wish to join the parade, and importantly meet with other women to share stories and listen to reflection of experiences of women,” Acting Director Ngai said.
She said, for a positive change there is need to be bold with women which is crucial women and men be part of this event, and bold with them to drive for changes.

Meanwhile, that day will comprise of awareness campaign, parade and information sharing.
The parade will begin from Honiara City Council parking area to Art Gallery where programmes convene, taking rest of the day with fun and showcasing activities relates to the Theme: “Be Bold for Change”.
The International Women’s Day is an annual event set aside by the United Nation, and this year the Women Ministry, relevant Stakeholders and individuals again uses this opportunity to celebrate social, economic, cultural and political achievements.

The event also described as opportunity for women in Honiara to bold in action from individual or organisation to help progress gender agenda with reasonable action to accelerate gender parity across the world.

Buy and Sell in Solomon Islands.. follow the link attached below 2

Worth sharing this link..

https://www.facebook.com/groups/470082163011820

‘Buy and Sell in Solomon Islands’

Editors Note: This is a closed group, ask to join first

(I’m waiting for membership to this group..)

New yoga classes starting 20 March, near Kokonut cafe, Honiara.. to register follow the link Reply

htt://www.facebook.com/honiarayoga/posts/895226293950677:0