Asia Pacific Telecommunity is going to hold its 2010 Forum of “The Policy and Regulation” in Honiara, Solomon Islands. I have been nominated to attend as the representative of my employer, however it is very unlikely that I could make it to the conference on time for some reasons.
In the beginning it took a while to locate the place on google earth, it is a very tiny island in Pacific Ocean. Then I started looking for a proper flight to get me there on time and I am yet to find one. The reaction of travelling agencies is sort of funny. To some of them, I look like a lonely explorer seeking adventure in a voyage to the middle of nowhere. I think I am their first traveler to such place, as they will most probably fail to arrange flight for such an unknown place.
But arranging ticket is not my main problem, Visa is. I talked to many of conveners of the meeting and none of them had any idea how one should apply for visa. When I checked Solomon Islands Immigration Office website, I found citizens of many countries are allowed to travel there without Visa, or they are able to get it at arrival time. I am one of the few ones who need to get visa before arrival.
I was wondering why I should be the exception, what they think about me and my country? I figured it out when I downloaded the Visa Application Form and saw the title: “Visa Application Form for
Aliens Holding Passport”.
They believe I am an alien, maybe because none of my compatriots have ever travelled there. Are they expecting me on a flying saucer rather than an air craft? If I get there I will explain them that people of my country are humans not aliens, and then I try to figure out what the hell Solomon was doing there? I need to report this to my freaky boss :)