Solomon Islands
Choiseul
Choiseul (Lauru) is a high island province similar to Isabel, to the north of the country. It has many Melanesian tribes and language groups, including an I-Kiribati (Gilbertese) settlement on Wagina, the island to the south of Choisuel. The Provincial Centre is Taro Island, to the north of Choiseul Bay and in sight of the PNG border (Bourgainville Island).

Three quarters of Choiseul province's 16,600 Melanesian people live in the main island's western half and there are a further 2,000 Gilbertese living in Wagina. Choiseul Bay, in the north-western part of province is the provincial headquarters where one can take a canoe to visit waterfalls and the Sui River. Further north are attractive villages and a plantation with a large collection of Kesa money and ancient carvings. Choiseul was traditionally called Lauru and much of the island's shoreline consists of long narrow beaches, some of by large shallow freshwater marshes and ferns.

Local houses are built from various timbers, selected for their required properties. Betal-nut wood is often used as flooring and sago palm leaf for the thatch. Such a  thatched roof can last up to 7 years and is as just as functional as expensive modern iron substitutes, and also much cooler. Each region and island has its own style of thatch. Traditionally, vines ("bush rope") are used to bind the structure, although nails are common these days. Such a building can be erected in a matter of days.

Although it had become comparatively quiet in WWII, there are several wrecked barges and aircraft in the shallows along the island's west coast. 

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In the 19th century headhunting and slave-raiding parties from the New Georgia group regularly attacked the island and in 1916 there were ferocious tribal wars on Choiseul Island, though they were brought under control by a peace treaty in 1921. 

In the 1870s central Choiseul's chief evened the score by leading raids westwards and made forays against neighbouring Wagina until it became totally uninhabited. Solomon Airlines operates seven weekly flights to Choiseul Bay and Kagau.

Highlights

  • Explore off the beaten track, free from tourist development.
  • Abundant deserted sandy beaches where turtles swim and breed.
  • Traditional crafts, including eating pottery and bukaware weaving.
  • Ndolos, the carved stone burial chambers of Choiseul Island.
  • Home of Kesa, an unusual custom currency.