BHUTAN - A SNAP SHOT - YOU DREAM IT WE CAN CREATE IT.

This is a quick snapshot of Bhutan.If you can dream it - we can create it! Enticingbhutan.com

                                    THE SOLOMON ISLANDS A HIDDEN SANCTUARY

 The Solomon Islands are one of the South Pacific’s most intriguing and yet least explored regions. A scattered archipelago of around 1000 islands and low lying coral atolls of Guadalcanal (capital Honiara), Santa Isabel, San Cristobel, Choiseul, Santa Cruz group, Gizo and New Georgia, the Solomons offers great dive spots, eco lodges and restaurants.

In 1568 Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendana became the first European to “discover” Santa Isobel Island and have contact with the Islas Salomon people. His aim was to convert the ‘heathens’ to Christianity. Their first landing was at Santa Isabel where they found the locals to be cordial but as cannibals and offering a body part as food -the Spanish soon realised that making a hasty retreat to Peru would be adviseable.

    Diving World War II wrecks in Guadalcanal is one of the major attractions.
Guadalcanal is considered one of the best dive sites in the world. The wrecks of Kyusyu Maru, and the USS John Penn have recorded one of the highest fish counts in the world. Exotic fish species including Red Tailed Flashers, painted Thecacera and Yamasui’s Cuthoha will be names familiar to fish experts. Dives take between 4 to 6 people- no crowded boats and no tight time schedules. Try surf drops, snorkelling and village tours with Gizo Adventure Sports providing a comprehensive range of options.

 The Isabel province is considered one of the best regions in the Pacific with long stretching white sand beaches ideal for the surfing enthusiast. A secret no longer, Solomon Islands newest resort the Papatura Island Retreat is ideal for fishing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, and the list goes on. There are 4 styles of bungalow that cater for Honeymooners and romantics all with water views. 
Busu Island Eco Retreat on the island of Malaita is located in the Langa Langa Lagoon and is an ideal place to absorb cultural life. Hone your canoeing skills in some of the clearest water on the island or maybe “fall in” for a swim.  

Kagata Village is the true Solomon’s experience where you can fish surf and relax all in one day. Three lagoon front bungalows each with private facilities are the ultimate holiday location. Surf the crowd free waves and learn from the Kagata people how tourism is shaping their future. Mr Laurie Leketo supports the community with an initiative to assist local communities. “By staying with the locals your valuable dollar goes back into the local tribes, helping our isolated communities with much needed essentials like food, medicine, education, and housing” he commented.

There are Eco lodges for the adventurer and modern hotels for those less inclined to want to ‘rough it’. For a period of time, the Solomons ’fell asleep’ but they have awakened with a dedication to sustainable tourism. The importance of local cuisine and fresh caught is so very enticing. Fat Boys Restaurant 10 minutes by boat from the island of Gizo overlooks the aptly named Plum Pudding Island.

THE TRAVELLING ENTREPRENEUR

No matter what your profession there lies an entrepreneur in all of us when we travel. For example have you ever wandered around the likes of Tuscany thinking to yourself –‘I could go home and start a B&B just like this one – the style of the property could easily be adjusted to our conditions.’ Ok so maybe not a B&B but with so many different industries from Chocolate making to shoes there is surely one that may have you thinking of bringing an idea back home. I know people who have had pizza in Italy and thought they should stay and show the Italians how it is done. When we told a colleague in Moderna that we have pineapple on pizzas they were horrified.

From past visits entrepreneurs have imported glass from Murano, and masks from Venice. Sadly the Chinese copies made the price of the original article prohibitive for the export market. The Venetians have to settle for tourists appreciating their incredible craft. Italy is famous for wine and yet again with Australia now leading the forefront in impeccably delicious vintages, the market for wine has slowly declined. Travel anywhere in the world and Australian wines are listed at the top of your choices.

So what else can we extrapolate from our travels – photography, yes we could if we are great sell our photos. What about buying a little property somewhere in the hills to rent out to tourists as a genuine homestay – now I like the idea of that. Many Australians do this in France and Japan so why leave Italy to the Brits, we are entrepreneurs after all. Australians buy property all over the world, you cannot get any more entrepreneurial than that.

But is it all about our plonking ourselves in another country or importing goods from a foreign land- not at all. As we immerse ourselves in another culture we can sometimes see an opportunity to show the world our niche- whatever that may be. Recently I met a scholar who had written a programme to benefit literature in schools and to assist immigrants with their English Language skills. His program can be adapted to any language and has enormous potential. I just hope that the Italians can learn English easier than I could learn Italian. Thankfully many of them are already fluent in the Queens English.

So is entrepreneurship about what you can give or what you can take away from your journey. I believe that the answer is both depending on your level of expertise. I was told as a child that if you believe in what you are offering, you could sell ice to the eskimoes. So to all of you travelling Entrepreneurs out there the world is your oyster – oh wait I can feel the next story coming together already.