American & Europe get a glimpse of Solomon Islands
Americans, Germans and other European nationals, and Caribbean tourists set foot in Honiara for the first time when cruise liner Crystal Serenity docked at Pt Cruz on Friday morning.
Yesterday’s heavy downpour did not dampen the visitors’ spirits as they explored the sites around Honiara and scouted out the various souvenirs on sale.
Five Brazilian tourists arrive in Honiara on board the Crystal Serenity
Many also share that the arts and craft found here are unique and very different from ones they have across other countries during their voyage.
The artefacts on display yesterday ranged from wooden carvings, necklaces, bracelets and cloths designed in traditional ways to woven baskets.
Tourists accompanying the Destination Solomons were also impressed to see the WWII sites, country’s cultural artefacts and histories including the city tours. Few hit the jackpot in their snorkeling tour.
The American tourists impressed to see country’s traditional designs
According to Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, most visitors on the Crystal Serenity are in their fifties.
SIVB Senior Marketing Officer, Mr Ellison Kyere said Crystal Serenity comes from the United States, UK, Caribbean and Germany, and this was their first time here.
He said many were eager to learn of the Solomon Islands’ history and culture.
The tourists share that before they came, they had brief knowledge of the Solomon Islands as being the islands ‘adrift in time’, being a tropical paradise with tropical rainforests and rugged mountains and hills, and host to some of the bloodiest sites of the World War II.
Locals storytelling to tourist about traditional designs
Some of the tourists visiting local vendors tent display with art and crafts and other products
GIZO today welcomes cruise liner Crystal Serenity to the Western province.
The ship’s tourists are expected to be shown around the islands and islets surrounding Gizo, where they will experience the beauty of Western province’s environment, history and culture.
Crystal Serenity will stop over for eight hours before moving on to its next destination.
Western province culture and tourism division officer Ms Fabina Lilo yesterday said Gizo will witness the arrival of Crystal Serenity making its first voyage to the province.
“We will close the section of road that begins here at the MSG building to the BSP building today.
“This would only allow for pedestrians and local carvers to showcase their traditional along the main road.
“Entertainments and will be held at the old Gizo market area and a brief welcome ceremony will be stage here in front of the Gizo hotel upon the landing of the first tender boat.”
Lilo said a traditional war canoe (Tomoko) will escort the first tender to the shores at 8am to be greeted by warriors.
Other sites for the tourists to visit include, Saeragi Village, Oravae Cottage and other tourism resorts within Gizo Island.
(Source: The Islandsun Daily News 02 March 2018)
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