Charis Travel Services

24/01/2020

08/02/2019

08/08/2017

It has been a busy couple of morning with the G75 Anniversary events.

We have had the priviledge to gain access to to the commemoration of the scouts and coastwatchers monument yesterday, today we were witness to the declaration of Bloody Ridge as the country's first national park. Following that, in the Henderson Memorial Gardens, plaques in the memory of those lost in war were unveiled.

I like how it was stated, "It is not about it being an anniversary of a war 75 years ago, but about celebrating 75 years of peace since then."

Happy G75, Charis Travellers.

31/07/2017

08/03/2017

Charis Travel Services is a staunch supporter of gender equality, and of women' rights. So much so that three quarters of our team is made up of these three intelligent ladies. We are thankful to have them, these three leaders in Travel and Tourism.

Charis Travel Services would like to convey a very happy International Womens Day to clients and suppliers.

For all your travel requirements, please come see these three pillars of our travel and tourism society!

10/01/2017

Happy 2017 Charis Travellers!

This month our Festive season international guests will have started making their return home or back to work, and soon students will be completing arrangements to return to their place of study. Chinese New Year is also approaching, so it will be a very busy time for air travel for end of January and early to mid February.

Charis Travel services would just like to advise those not yet booked, to look at getting a booking in soon, as flights out of Honiara are already filling.

For those who hold bookings, be sure to check that your booking still stands. Most international reservations have a Ticketing Time Limit (TTL), which is basically a date by which your ticket must be purchased and issued. Your reservations officer should have advised you when the TTL is. If unsure, call the airlines, or the travel agency you booked with to check this.

If you already hold a ticket, good for you, there's nothing like forward planning!

BUT, if you hold a ticket, and you're planning on changing the travel dates, there are a couple of things you must be aware of;

1. Most airfares, which are not First Class, Business Class, or Full (Y) Economy Class, will have a date by which your tickets will be unable to be changed. For more flexible fares, the latest you can make a change to your journey is 24 hours prior to ticketed and scheduled departure date (24 hours before the departure date on your ticket), for others it could be anything from 48 hours to a week, depending on the type of fare basis which you hold a ticket on. The issuing agent should have also made this clear prior to issuing your ticket.

2. Nearly all date changes to tickets will carry fees and costs. The amounts will vary depending on the issuing airline, the type of fare, and where you bought the ticket, as some travel agencies will charge administrational fees as well. Note that if the same fare basis which you are currently ticketed on is not available on the date which you want to amend for, you may have to upgrade, which will cost you the difference between you current fare, and that which you will upgrade to, and then there is the reissue fee which will also be added. Changing dates can be quite a costly excercise.

If you are not travelling on the date you are booked, make sure you update you ticket ASAP. Never ever just let the departure date lapse, as upon check in at that date, when check in officers finish their recording and see you have not checked in, they will update the status of your ticket to a "No Show," and unless you are on a full business or economy fare, this will render your ticket null and void, and this means a new ticket will have to be purchased when you do decide on a travel date.

Finally, note that some tickets issued by oversea agents cannot be reissued locally.

Be sure to check with the issuing office whether a ticket is flexible, and if it can be changed by an alternate travel agency or airline.

Pleasant skies!

14/11/2016

We are nearing the end of the year...have you got your annual holiday sorted? Remember that it is peak season, so to get the best fare, you should be booking your holiday flights NOW! Call us to get a fare quote, or to make a booking now! Note that we can also make accommodation bookings both internationally and domestically. Phone: 24193 email: [email protected]

22/08/2016

Hello valued customer!

Please be advised that your favourite travel agency has moved!

We have relocated to unit 24, NPF Plaza.

Our phone number remains the same - 24193.

For all your travel requirements, come see us at Charis Travel Services, your partners in travel.

13/08/2016

Ausano Cultural Dancers performing Ura'ae Ura'ae at the Busu Cultural Festival.

13/08/2016

Busu Shell Money Festival

12/08/2016

So we got into Busu Cultural Village earlier this evening. I just found out that there is data coverage here, so expect updates direct from the shell money festival which starts on Saturday 13 August 2016.

17/07/2016

Celebrating Shellmoney and highlighting some of it's many uses. This is the Busu Shellmoney Festival.

Call: 24193 or email: [email protected]

05/05/2016

Will this convince you to come visit now?

02/03/2016

Bear witness to the unique and mysterious activities of this annual cleansing, purificating, renewing and reconciliatory rituals of the inhabitants of the island of Aorigi, also known as Santa Catalina, in the Makira Ulawa Province. All inclusive packages are now available solely with Charis Travel Services. Call 24193 for further details.

03/02/2016

The world famous Rorogwela, also known as Sweet Lullaby. Beautiful song, with the most heart breaking lyrics. For those not knowledgeable, the lyrics are;


"Sasi sasi ae taro taro amu
Ko agi agi boroi tika oli oe lau
Tika gwao oe lau koro inomaena

Sasi sasi ae na ga koro ma koro
mada maena mada ni ada I dai
I dai tabesau I tebetai nau mouri
Tabe ta wane initoa te ai rofia

Sasi sasi ae kwa dao mata ole
Rowelae e lea kwa dao mata biru
Na rowelae e lea kwa dao mata luma
Rowelae e lea sasi sasi ae
Angi angi boro ti ka oli oe lau

Iaia rofia ro aro aro
Nau ne na wela wane ku adedite amu

Sasi sasi ae ko taro taro amu
Ga koro ma koro da maena fasi koro
Koro inomae na ka sasi sasi ae

ahre aro a teai roro roroa
tea roa roa roai roa"


Translated to english;


"Little brother, little brother, stop crying, stop crying
Even if you cry and cry, who else will carry you
Who else will take care of you, we are now both orphans

Little brother, little brother, our mother and our father
Died and now live on the island of the dead
From the island of the dead, their spirit will continue to watch over us
Like royalty, taking care [us] with all the wisdom of such a place.

Little brother, little brother, even in the gardens
This lullaby continues in different plots of the garden,
And even in each house visited, this lullaby seems endless
Little brother, little brother,
Even if you cry and cry, who else will carry you

oh ... oh my heavens ... calm down, calm down
I'm just a child, what have I done to you?

Little brother, little brother, you stop crying
Our mother and father have died
Both of us are now orphans, little brother, little brother"


Video Credit: Torn Parachute

Rorogwela is a lullaby that originated from North Malaita, Solomon Islands. The dancers are from a island from North Malaita called Funafou. The lyrics refer...

25/01/2016

Have complete peace of mind when off on a Charis Travel adventure! Whether you're cheering your team at the Rugby 7's, or having that romantic week away with your sweetheart in Vanuatu or Fiji, we have you covered. Charis travel is happy to advise its valued customers that we now offer various Travel Insurance policies that cover everything from injury or death, to that one bag that went missing between flights. Ask about this when you next purchase your ticket!

Call 24193, or email [email protected] for more information.

22/01/2016

We stumbled upon this during our travels earlier in the week. Run by William Kuri, Paul Kopuria and their respective families. The two have quite a plan for the eco lodge, and are currently still in the early stages. At the moment, there are 3 accommodation units which are solar lit, and are equipped with dual burner stoves, shower and toilet. There is also a small dining/conference/entertainment hall on the property.

Activities on avail from Savaulu include Hikes to Taro Terrace, of historical significance and linked to explorer Alvaro De Mendana. As there have been UFO sightings in the area, they have on offer UFO expeditions up the mountains behind the eco lodge!

Prices are very reasonable, and packages are available.

For reservations, please call 24193, or email: [email protected]

22/01/2016

This gem was found about a 30 minute drive out of Honiara. From dawn til arournd midday, guests of Dolphin View can witness a pod of wild dolphins frolicking mere meters from the beatiful beach just in front of their guest bungalow. The homestay is operated by Alistair Pae and family, and have on offer excursions that take you closer to the dolphins, as well as land based activities and cultural tours.

The accommodation is very reasonably priced, and is the perfect getaway for Honiara based professionals.

Note that at current there is only one accommodation unit, so as you can imagine, there is quite a demand.

The beach itself is also available for event or function hire.

For costs and reservations, call 24193, or email: [email protected]

Photo Credit: Steven Alufurai

22/01/2016

Located at Kolotoha, West Guadalcanal is Lumatapopoho Village. It is a living village, usually inhabited by observers of Guadalcanal's Qaena'alu Movement, also known as the Mo'oro Movement, after the name of avid practioner, Cheif Mo'oro. The village is managed by our good friend, Primo, and his family. On arrangement, the family will guide you through the village, on a tour that will showcase 3 cultural scenes.

For more information call 24193, or email [email protected]

Photo Credit: Steven Alufurai

14/01/2016

Got a holiday for you! 8 Nights in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Only SBD$3,770.00 per person (based on double or twin share room), which includes accommodation and return airfare. Call 24193 to make reservation today!

Note: Cost subject to change pending availability of airfare and rooms.

12/01/2016

No gud iufala say Charis Travel for fly go overseas nomoa? Not the case, mifala specialise lo local fares and tickets too. We support local resource owners and promote their product, service or event.

09/01/2016

Take advantage of the MSG borders agreement! Travel to PNG, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia! No visa requirements, no stress, hem olsem iu go lo home nomoa! Packages available now!

08/01/2016

Packages for Fiji now available. Costs inclusive of return airfare and 3 nights accommodation. No visa required! Flight out on Saturday, return on Tuesday. Offer valid with Fiji Airways only! For more details call 24193, or email [email protected]

07/01/2016

Just to be clear - We are 100% locally owned! Support local, book your next trip with Charis Travel Services!

07/01/2016

We are Honiara's youngest travel agency, but that does not mean we are inexperienced! Our IATA qualified team have over 30 years combined experience in International and Domestic fares and ticketing, logistics, events, inbound and outbound tourism.

07/01/2016

It is Friday! Had a hard week? What would be better to wind down from a stressful week than to lay back in your hammock, sip on a coconut cocktail and take in the view of the bay/lagoon/waterfall?

We are now doing weekend packages for all major resorts in Solomon Islands. Call 24193, or email [email protected] with your queries.

05/01/2016

Looking to travel? Be it for business or pleasure, call into our office at Wesley House for a free fare quote!