This morning we sailed north into the Solomon Islands. After a brief stop in the town of Lata on Nendo Island, we picked up our Solomon Islands officials including the customs, immigration, quarantine and land agents. Many of us had fascinating discussions with these men about the recent troubles in the country’s capital of Honoria. They were sad about the loss of Chinese businesses and felt that much of the problems lay with a high unemployment rate. They related the troubles had quieted and had never reached any of the other islands.
We were heading north to Lomlom Island in the Reef Islands group. The island is rarely visited. From the bridge we glassed the coastal traditional fale thatch huts and dug-out canoes. When we arrived, we were treated to a dance welcome with men in traditional dress accompanied by a 3-man percussion band. Blue tarps were layed out with local art and craft. Several of our party purchased lovely shellwork, wooden sculptures, carved walking sticks and shell ornaments.
We walked hand-in-hand with the village children, visited their school house, and chatted at length with the head teacher. Supplies are short there, and they were pleased with the carton of National Geographic yellow magazine and school supplies we shared.
Afterwards, our team went for a brilliant fringing reef snorkel expedition. Visibility was excellent. A staggering diversity of hard corals and small fish were observed along with polychetes, tunicates and scallops.
We were heading north to Lomlom Island in the Reef Islands group. The island is rarely visited. From the bridge we glassed the coastal traditional fale thatch huts and dug-out canoes. When we arrived, we were treated to a dance welcome with men in traditional dress accompanied by a 3-man percussion band. Blue tarps were layed out with local art and craft. Several of our party purchased lovely shellwork, wooden sculptures, carved walking sticks and shell ornaments.
We walked hand-in-hand with the village children, visited their school house, and chatted at length with the head teacher. Supplies are short there, and they were pleased with the carton of National Geographic yellow magazine and school supplies we shared.
Afterwards, our team went for a brilliant fringing reef snorkel expedition. Visibility was excellent. A staggering diversity of hard corals and small fish were observed along with polychetes, tunicates and scallops.
