Alcohol Travel Advisory

If you plan to follow in our footsteps and visit the Solomon Islands, let me be the first to tell you that Alcohol procurement is a problem once there. Outer islands, forget it. If the bar does not sell it, it is not to be had. And since you are in transit (usually) from the states to let's say, Fiji, and then from Fiji to Vanatu, and then the Solomons, and each time you go through (mandatory) in-transit security, your alcohol WILL be confiscated at the check points. (Aussies are so temperamental about their Crown Royal being confiscated.) So the last BASTION of hope for Duty Free is at the in-transit Air Port on Vanuatu. We had a beer, but trusted that we could buy a bottle or two on Guadalcanal. Right, that's like going on the Indian Reservations and trying to buy hard alcohol. Seems the American Indians and the Solomon Natives are missing the same Gene necessary when it comes to processing alcohol, so there were not any liquor stores. And I am not too sure you want to be wandering the streets after you have bought the booze anyway! So everyone in your party should buy their alloted 2.5 litres of booze, and bring it in, from Vanuato, or else it's the hotel bars and prices that will bring you down to earth, quickly. We missed that it the travel brochure, along with a lot of other stuff, that will be covered later. Here Dru is buying two nasty beers, and a K&P for me. (Kiwi flavored 7-up, not great) from PNG (Papua New Guinea). We should have been buying Cubans and Patron, or Rum.

Flight To Munda Part 2

Not a lot to report, I don't know if you can click on the picture, but on my computer, it opens in another window. So you can read the captions. Air security, a joke, air safety, a joke, wanna walk out on the runway?, no problem, the staff at Agnes Lodge to greet us, not there, so we asked someone, and they said walk down to the end of the road and you will see the sign. We walked by several chain link fences surrounding metal buildings on a paved "street" and noticed once again the stain of beetle nut juice everywhere. Hot, Humid, nasty, constantly saying, "yup, the girls would not like this either". At the end of the street, there was a market at the dock, with everyone that boated in from outer islands setting up their mainly fruits and vegetables, and yes, the Agnes Lodge was there, again, surrounded by a chain link fence and even a gate keeper. Holy Slums Batman, we were leaving air conditioning comfort for this! More of Munda to come.

Our first, and actually best Puddle Jumper

Leaving Guadalcanal, for Munda, and the Agnes Lodge. The airport for national flights was far from pristine, but upon our return, it was the best of the three we visited. Interesting how perspecitives change as we went along. Todd and I sat outside the terminal (shack), where there was a bit of a draft, while Dru sat inside, monitoring the departures, since the PA system was non existent. Two ladies, of questionable diet and sanitary standards, sat a bench or so away, and digested a street vendors fish, that by all signs of flies and smell would have probably killed either of us. We were sure they would end up next to us, and the smell of "BO" was everywhere, through the entire trip. I even think with daily showers, I started smelling like the locals. It is a smell one does not get use to, ever. This flight actually had air conditioning, and for the one or so hour aloft, it was nice. Dru ended up sitting next to a candidate Politician. The 42 day campaigning had just begun, reason for the Australian government to have a travel advisory out for a "don't travel" zone to the Solomons. Oh great, where was our US notice! Oh, but wait, the UN was monitoring the elections - RIGHT. We saw two French "Observateurs" hired by the UN sitting at the Bar for two solid days on Munda monitoring - Wine. What a farce. Arms are now folded, and Todd in the back of my head, is saying shut up Dad! So I close on this one.

The Obligatory Spagetti Bolognese

A 'Paul Tradition', and still holding strong. Everywhere in the world, I can get beer (yuk) and Spaghetti Bolognese. (One such beer episode involved Dru and Todd actually aware of the taste of formaldehyde in their beer.) This Menu board in the heart (if that's the word for it) of Honiara, Guadalcanal, was at the Lyme Tree Rest. A gathering hole for mainly Aussies, and a few Kiwis, that frequent the islands. I did not actually eat it here, I had mine at the Agnes Lodge on Munda, two days later, and again, a second time. Not good, not bad. Interesting, every since the "civil war" as Dru calls it, an international police force was formed, and the islands are "policed" by white cops that have duty assignments anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. With rotations home. Todd gave me a hard time about walking up to an officer, and accoriding to him I started out the conversation with a male officer from New Zealand with, "I'm not from around here . . . " but I don't recall it that way. Interesting how a young brain works, versus an older, more mature one is.

Medal of Honor Receipients

In the Honiara Airport, on Guadalcanal, Henderson field still exists. And there are a few monuments, plaques and pictures honoring those that fought and for some died in this forgotten part of the world. I snapped every one I could and it would take pages to show them all, which some day I will actually attempt to publish, along with the aid of Todd and Dru. But this one really got me. The list shows the names of those awarded the US Medal of Honor. There was another showing the awards presented the Victoria Cross. I selected this one shot because of the extensive number of men presented the award just at this one campaign. Significant to me was Harold Bauer, who lost his life, but has an airfield two hours away in Vanuatu named after him, and for you Ed & Debi Huntsman, you will note, Douglas Albert MUNRO, SM 1/c of the US Coast Guard who, if I remember correctly, during a hostile evacuation of Marines he took his Naval Landing Craft and used it as a shield to draw fire and engage the enemy to protect the helpless Marines as they struggled in their evacuation. Tara is not allowed to use Wikipedia, but I trust this link is accurate - Munro Semper fi!

Dru is standing on a monument erected to signify the men who fought, lived and died on Bloody Ridge. Unfortunately after the "episode" of 2007, any metal of value, like Brass Plaques, were removed, weapons confiscated (by the government) and destroyed, even if they were 70 year old rifles. So little existed today, and few, very few, actually know the stories about the war. I, at 62, was a very old man to them. Life expectancy was between 50 and 60. So with few exceptions, the stories, sites, memorbilia, are going away, back to the jungle. Behind Dru is the Airport, used today as both International and National flights, the runway built by the Japanese, extended by the Americans, got twice as long for current air travel. The exterior of the chain link fence is lined with squatters living without electricity or running water. The River is near by, and captured rain water is the source for most water drinking. Coconuts are shucked and the tops removed, and most locals live on coconut water (not milk) that is really quit good.

More Thursday Guadalcanal

Bloody Ridge. It is on private property, so, courtesy "payments" are made to the owner to let us trespass and see the sites. The sites are kept clear so that you can see the smoothed out, former foxholes of where the Marines held off the Japanese, initially going from Hill 1 to Hill 2. The First Photo is basically looking South to Hill 2 from Hill 1, the River is to my left and this is the valley that was between 1 and 2, that the Japanese struggled first into, and few made it out of. The Marines were able to exit the Hill using high ground and did not have to go down into the valley and back up, and defended the high ground so the Japanese had no choice to struggle and die in the lowlands. I sat in a in an area that must have been lined with fox holes and machine gun emplacements set up by the defending young Marines. The Japanese had attempted to envelop the hill, and were nearly successful.

We are back, BTW

Unfortunately I have had to go back to work as well. So I have not posted any new items. But Edith and the kids were at the airport to welcome us home, so here is a shot of them. Notice that Todd got a bit "hairier" and Andy a bit taller, and Alexis a lot cuter!

Thursday Morning

Today is laundry day, and preparation for the trip to Agnes Lodge. Here is the intrepid leader posing in front of Solomon Islands heritage tiki posts that tell a story. Ask Paul when you see him.

Afternoon War Wreckage

Todd and Dru listening attentively to local guide Anderson as he discusses the various artillery and aircraft wreckage that his father and he have collected. Their collection is on tribal land and also contains the Allied forces memorials. Aircraft include the P-38, Corsair, Wildcat, and B-17. There were a few Japanese Zero engines, but no complete aircraft.

Morning Battlefield Tour

U.S. Memorial at Honaira, Guadalcanal. Very impressive marble display, built to last the ages, that details the beginning and end of the 8 month conflict at Guadalcanal. Starting with the Battle of Salvo Island, and ending with the capturing of the island from Japanese forces, the entire campaign is masterfully outlined.

This is also significant because many of the other monuments around the area, especially those with brass plates, have been reclaimed for scrap in the uprising a few years ago.

Enroute

Dru, who is typing this, HATES this photo....the only one taken enroute (thanks, Dad) and my eyes are closed.

Our Departures

Here Todd and I are departing Phx to LAX.


Todd was apprciative greatly of the Rum and Diet Cokes he had.










Todd asleep on Pacific Air enroute to Nadi, Fiji. 10.5 hour flight.

Thank you Karen, Jens and Kristen.

Karen, Jens and Kristen:
Thank you for the nice send off dinner Saturday night. The Bolognase and veal with Salad was superb. A meal fashioned after all my worldly highlights, as you know. Kristen, the Bombay's were decadent to say the least. And no Dustin, we are not turning left at the restrooms and going here! Castaway is not an option on this trip unless something blows up near the Solomon's. But here is a teaser just for you all. I guess you can follow Castaway on Facebook now, Kim and Niki! (I did not see any pictures of Emily).

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Looks like it's going to happen!

Things seem to be falling into place for this to happen. Took my first of 24 Malaria pills this afternoon. Malarone (250mg of atovaquone and 100 mg of proguanil hydrochloride) and if I am to feel any affects it will be later on this weekend, but too late for changing drugs! In Viet Nam, we took a malaria pill (much smaller than the one I popped today) and it gave me a slight fever and the runs (unheard of in the tropics right?) for 24 hours. But considering the alternative, I will opt for a bit of discomfort. Last minute shopping tomorrow, still looking for one or two more items to give the villagers. Dru says he will bring some swimmer googles for the kids, and I am still thinking gloves for the "men". We shall see. Tried the Polaroid film this morning and it worked fine. At 80cents each it better. The battery is built into each film pack. Bringing 3 packs, only have 29 shots left. Patricia is still worried about the connection, but Lynda has gotten a personal guarantee that we will make our connecting flight in Nadi, Fiji. Dru starts his adventure Sunday afternoon flying from Corpus to Houston, change planes, and then to LAX. Todd and I leave PHX to LAX about 6:30pm. Then the longer than expected wait. 10.5 hours to Nadi, the flight to Honari, Guadalcanal is 4 hours with one stop. Lots going on to make this happen.

Uepi Lodge - for a week

This is a view from what I gather, near the Uepi lodge of the Onne Village. Wonder what critters linger in the shallows? Guess I am going to find out!








Our #1 activity will be, eating, drinking and snorkeling. Probably in various orders, along with slathering ourselves with sunblock, and mosquito repellent.








The boys and I will be at the Uepi Lodge for a week, enjoying the weather, the water, and the waves? We change rooms about half way thru, moving from the Garden Bungalow to a Beach Bungalow.











I stole these photos from their website, in case you want to see the advertised potion of the accomodations. Lunch looks better than I told Tara it was going to look like!

http://www.uepi.com/gallery.html

We are already LATE and haven't even started!

Always fun, always exciting. Our flight out of LAX is already 2 hours behind schedule. Seems there is a maintenance scheduling thing that happens on occasion. I guess Dru knows about those things. Anyhow we check our luggage all the way through to Honiara, Guadalcanal, so we don't go into Fiji customs so should make our tighter connection.

Nine days out. Thinking about what to take.

Once again, Patricia came up with a dandy idea or two. Yes, we are taking masks, fins, have our Hep A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus shots, and will start our Malaria pills next Friday the 9th! But, as in trips to Fiji in the past, I like to mingle with the local chiefs and like to present small tokens of my appreciation to them. I am taking a slew of "Speedy Sharp" knife blade sharpeners along. Love the damn things, use them at home (for kitchen knives and scissors) and at the shop (on our business card slitter). One to two swipes with the carbide part of the hone and razor sharp. She suggested knives, but I am not too sure customs will go along with that, since we go through two different countries to get there. In the past, I have taken gloves, which I will do again. But Patricia mentioned underwater swimming goggles, not dive masks, fish line and lures, but won me over with Polaroid pictures. They still make the cameras and film, and surprisingly Tara and I had an old camera that takes the 600 film, so this weekend, I will be purchasing several packages of film and adding that to my collection.