SAILING SOLOMON ISLANDS: Honiara Farmers Market

Farmer's Markets are famous in Melanesia, as more than 90% of the population are small scale farmers planting so called gardens in which the grow fruits and vegetables. Whatever they have in excess the women take daily to the town market for selling and helping them raise some cash for covering their non food needs as food wise they tend to be self sufficient with farming and fishing. Many things are remarkable of these markets the first is their bustling social ambiance, with thousands of people talking and laughing under one roof. Another characteristic is that most of the food is wrapped in leaves and tied up with vines, and beautifully weaved baskets are included as grocery bags with the price of food. Another detail is that the food is kept fresh by spraying water on it and swaying little branches fend off the abundant flies. In spite of all this you can buy the products with confidence although it is highly recommendable to wash them well before consuming them.