Destination of the month: The Solomon Islands! Originally thrust into being between 45 and 10 million years ago, the Solomon Islands started life as a violent chain of volcanoes. They formed along the rim of the Pacific plate which to this day still fractures and jolts, creating huge underwater earthquakes. Today, most of the islands volcanoes are now extinct and the 922 islands in total enjoy a much more peaceful existence. The Solomon Islands are extraordinary because their closeness to Papua New Guinea, Australia and south-east Asia has allowed them to maintain a huge biodiversity. With over 3,200 species of plants, 289 birds, 130 butterflies, 80 reptiles, 53 mammals and 21 frogs, the nations forests and coasts are literally bursting with life! These magical ecosystems spread from the highest summits (some over 1,700m) to the coastal mangroves and contain exciting treasures to enjoy throughout. The islands also boast incredible marine diversity with over 1,020 species of tropical fish. The infamous coconut crab, the largest land-dwelling crustacean in the world also makes the Solomons its home. For divers and beach-explorers, this place is a haven! So what better place to begin a fascinating journey of discovery? Members of the Natura team, Mark Ballantyne and Diana Kiss were fortunate enough to explore this wonderland in May this year, building new connections with locals, discovering amazing wildlife, writing articles and taking photographs. We now want to spread the word to you, and encourage you to visit the Solomons! We really recommend this incredible country to anyone wanting a real taste of untouched nature. People of the Solomons rely on foreign tourism for income, and with the ever-pressing option of earning a quick buck through forestry, tourism and ecotourism may hold out to be the nations best friends! There is nowhere quite like it on earth so go and discover the Solomons for yourself! Be sure to check out our photos too :) For more information visit: visitsolomons.sb/.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Jun 2014 06:06:36 +0000
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