Solomon Islands

We left Madang for the start of our trip home at 7:10am and the plane was on time. Daisy at Divine Word University who does our travel for us had out us in Business Class which was lovely. I then proceeded to cry all the way to Port Moresby!

We only had an hour or so for our connecting flight but we were fine. Had to stop in Vanuatu so Ken now says he has another country for his list!! Mind you it took three attempts to landand although it was cloudy and raining it wasn't THAT bad!!! Then finally on our way to the Solomon Islands. Now one of the reasons we went is because I always wanted to and because Robert said to us when we told them we were going to PNG, "why not the Solomons?"!!! So here we are!

We are only to stay two nights which I feel isn't enough but the flights are only on certain days. We got a taxi to our Hotel and this is when the fun started! I can laugh now!!!

Prior to leaving Madang when Ken had booked he'd failed to connect to their website and the emails came back [warning lights???] but he found he could book through an agency. Fine but they kept talking about printing out a voucher which we couldn't open until in frustration I emailed and told them that the two systems were obviously incompatable so they said they would send on our behalf to the hotel. Fine. Sorted.

Reception knew our names but had no booking!

We explained about the voucher and that we couldn't open it and that the agent would send it! Blank faces!

Eventually we got our room on the understanding that on Monday the Manager and Finance would be in to sort it out. So up to our booked "Deluxe room". Up so many flights of stairs that I was worried about Ken. Into our room. Awful. Like a hostel, maybe worse. So me back down with a list of deluxe rooms listed in Lonely Planet. Eventually I got another room, equally awful but up less steps!!

The pool area was lovely with nice chairs but the rest was horrid.

We went down to eat as this had taken 4 hours to sort and it was too late to explore. Supposed to have a top French chef………………….. anyway the upshot is that Ken gets food poisoning!

Next morning, we meet the manager. Was off hand and difficult so I asked a for a formal meeting to sort this out. No way. I then point out I needed medicine and he sends me with his driver. When I return the voucher has been "found"! The reception also couldn't open it! Then came a disagreement about whether breakfast was included or not!!!

Once Ken was feeling better we went out for a walk to the Hotel I had noticed on my drive to the chemist and we stayed there for lunch. I wanted to move but Ken persuaded me that as it was only another night it wasn't worth it, famous last words!!

That evening we took a taxi [yes they have them here unlike Madang] to another hotel that had just opened and we had a lovely dinner. Taxi home and climb the many steps to our room. Only to find that the air conditioning isn't working again. Mind you it isn't as hot as Madang just about 28 degrees. So we call reception. Told that the electrician had been and had stayed to check it was working [it wasn't working the night before and he stuck his fingers in and declared it OK and then brought us a floor fan which had a very dodgy plug!!]. So the manager came and offered to move us. We said no. He returned, we again said no too late as we were now in bed. After he'd gone the power then went off!! When it eventually came on I tried the AC and it worked!!!!

So that was our night! Morning and we decided to return to our nice hotel for breakfast and a sit by the sea. When we returned to the hotel to check out they presented us with a bill for the entire stay! The money had alreay left our account 10 days before and so Ken said no we wouldn't sign. Then as we were ready to get into the taxi they gave him a basket and a wooden dolphin as a gesture of peace! He said no we can't carry it andd I shouted oh yes we can as it was a rather nice basket!!! So off we went and I tried to click what photos I could from the car.

End of the Solomons! Would we return? Maybe. I think leaving Madang has strangely spoilt us as the Solomons was a bit tackey. Maybe I wasn't ready for another South Sea Island?