North Solomons Province has two main islands, Buka and Bougainville plus a scattering of smaller islands and atolls. It is located north east of mainland Papua New Guinea. Blessed with a lovely French name shares with an explorer and one of the Pacific most beautiful plants, Bougainville is a jewel of the South Seas.  And while a decade of disturbance has wilted the memories of some, the island is being reborn, and the business centre of Buka is booming.

The North Solomons Province has been known for its picture-perfect beaches and bays since French explorers spread the stories of its beauty almost 200 years ago.  The influence of the French is still found in the Polynesian languages spoken on the Takuu and Nukumanu islands.  In fact 23 languages are spoken throughout the province.

Almost a decade of civil war left only the language of violence until recently on the island of Bougainville.  Now the fighting is finished and the lovely island of Bougainville is flourishing. Air Niugini can take you from Port Moresby to Buka three times a week aboard the swift and comfortable F28 jet services.  Flights are scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with the aircraft returning the same days.
Number of guest house and a small island resort provide and, along with the market, a good range of shops will keep shoppers happy. Cafes and coffee shops make deliciously good use of local produce new the brand new hospital. Whether snorkeling or SCUBA diving, the waters off the coast are a treasure cove.

A Visibility is almost unlimited, with wartime wrecks including a Japanese Zero aircraft only a few meters deep. The crafts and customs of Buka and North Bougainville are fascinating for anyone interested in the culture. Featured on the provincial flag is a tall hat, known as Upei. The Upei is a woven headdress worn by young men at their initiation and marriage ceremonies.

Buka is the provincial capital and has excellent fishing, snorkelling and swimming in the clear waters of the Buka Passage (but take care of the strong currents). Shops and services for the town are located along the main waterfront, including the market and water taxis. Sohano Island is just a few minutes by boat from Buka, with its colonial buildings and manicured lawns and gardens. The steep cliffs provide fine views over Buka Passage and there are good swimming beaches. The volcanic island of Bougainville is covered in heavy jungle, and is home to one of the world's largest caves, Benua. The island's highest point is Mount Balbi (2685m), a dormant volcano

The descent over the crystal waters gives a taste of what’s to come, and the friendly welcome at the airport is only a few minutes drive from the town and taxis or PMVs are now plentiful. North Solomons wooden carving is also well known, with Tinputz carving geometrical designs and the folk of North Bougainville producing rather abstract animal and human forms. To the south the village artisan at Rorivana turn out realistic human carvings.

While roads, including the main road down to the east coast, are still being re-built, coastal shipping is still thriving between Buka and Kieta, near Arawa in the south.

Arts and crafts: Look out for the intricately and skillfully woven Buka baskets made from jungle vine.
Sohano Island: Located a few minutes by boat from Buka, this was the seat of provincial government until 1960 and still has colonial-period buildings and manicured lawns and gardens. The steep cliffs provide fine views over Buka Passage and back to Buka, and there are some good swimming beaches.

Things to do

Formally the administrative capital and the site of the international airport, Arawa is also being rebuilt, though at a slower pace than Buka. At the Saturday markets the Siwai and Telei folk of the mountainous southwest present their famous Buin baskets. These are (justifiably) South Pacific’s best basket weavers, creating perfectly round hand baskets with delightful colors and intricate lids.

For the more adventurous, or those with a sense of history, Bougainville holds many wartime secrets in its jungle-covered hills. This is where the United States Marine Corps began their advances against the Japanese after a horrible battle for Guadalcanal in the nearby Solomon Islands. Admirals Yamamoto’s aircraft was shot down here, the rarely visited wreck hulking in the rainforest gloom.

For more information about the North Solomons Province or the accommodation listing, visit the Bougainville Tourism website:http://bougainville.silvertech.co.nz