Visitor MO0401 
| Visitor |
| Sex? |
male |
| Profession/occupation? |
Software Developer |
| Home country? |
Switzerland |
| What made you want to go to
Solomon Islands? |
browsing the web |
| Arriving in Solomon
Islands |
| When did you arrive in Solomon
Islands? |
July 2004 |
| Did you encounter any
bureaucratic difficulties? |
no |
| What was your first impression
after arrival? |
It was hot, it was dusty |
| Living in Solomon
Islands |
| What did positively surprise
you? |
The extraordinary nice and happy people of Solomon
Islands |
| What did negatively surprise
you? |
The many expats who feel superior than the locals |
| What took longest to get used
to? |
nothing really... |
| What did you miss most in
Solomon Islands? |
Swiss Cheese :-) |
| What should you have brought
along? |
more own music and books (not much entertainment in
Honiara) |
| What did you do to prevent
malaria? |
Mefloquin (watch out, causes really funny dreams during
the night) |
| Place and province where you
spent most of your time? |
Honiara, Honiara-City |
| Other places/provinces where
you stayed? |
Gizo Hospital, Western Province |
| Where did you stay? |
Kiwi-House, [-] |
| How long did you stay at each
location? |
3 months, [-] |
| How much did you pay for
each? |
nothing, [-] |
| Where did you usually eat? |
at home |
| What did you typically pay for
a normal meal? |
less than CHF 5 a day |
| What local food/beverage did
you like most? |
All the fruits, fish |
| What local food/beverage did
you like least? |
meat (but I am NOT a vegetarian) |
| Working in Solomon
Islands |
| How did you usually go to
work? |
walk |
| Where did you work? |
NRH |
| What was your occupation? |
IT Specialist |
| What were your working days and
hours? |
8 to 10 hours a day |
| What was particularly difficult
in regard to your work? |
Everything that is IT-related is expensive and hard to
get |
| Did you feel accepted by the
locals? |
yes |
| What did you usually do in your
spare time after work? |
Trips on weekends, chatting and reading in the
evenings |
| Leaving Solomon Islands and
looking back |
| When did you leave Solomon
Islands? |
September 2004 |
| How long was your stay? |
3 months |
| How do you judge the length of
your stay? |
just about right |
| What did you learn from the
locals? |
Compared to them, our problems are really small: Let's
complain a bit less |
| Your advice to prospective
visitors? |
Enjoy every minute, as soon as you are back, you will
miss Solomon Islands |
| What did you miss most when
back at home again? |
The people, the food, the beautiful islands |
| What did you enjoy most when
back at home again? |
Swiss Cheese :-) |
| Would you go back for another
stay? |
yes |
| Estimated total cost of your
stay (including travel costs)? |
CHF 2,500 (travel costs not included, we were on a world
trip) |
| Additional comments? |
The most valuable experience I've ever made. |
