Solomon Islands

Julie may know some stuff about growing there. She a gardener She's always talking to locals there about what they do and dont grow. I'll ask her.

My google earth link pointed to this link.. Wonder if thats your shacks there

Cor

Thanks Cor for asking Julie.

I reckon that might be it!! That is a new high res image on google - last time I looked they only had the low res. I think that only one of the buildings is ours, the others are probably the eco-lodge and the kitchen for the lodge.

Hey Anthony that sounds like a great adventure.

Should be some great diving up there thats for sure.

Thanks Wags! - Yeah, I reckon the diving could be pretty awesome. Not sure whether we'll have any capacity though. I doubt there is a compressor anywhere nearby and there probably aren't hire shops around the corner either.

Perhaps you could come and visit in your private yacht with a compressor and an extensive kit of dive gear!

Seriously though - would be great to have a visit from you and Kelly.

Saw you both on the tv the other night actually - can't remember what on - we were channel surfing. There was footage of you (holding the EVO or something I think) and Kelly saying something about sea snakes. Cool stuff, but we only caught the end of it.

Ralftech has a few PVC based bags which are pretty decent.

If no compressor, start training for freediving

They look good Drew - thanks for that.

Freediving eh? I'm working on Enzo's build - at least around the tummy!

Enzo in the movie (Jean Reno's lardo?!? merde mais non!) or the real Enzo Maiorca? Isn't he like 80 now? If you aspire to duplicate an 80 year old's tummy...weellll....

A few months in the Solomons eating basic food should do any weight control diet good.

You may also want to bring some silica gel and a air tight dry box for the electronics.

Good luck Anthony!

Alex

Folks are concentrating on antimalarials which is good, but I would also have on hand an initial supply of a broad spectrum antibiotics (maybe two) like Cipro and Bactrim - these can be very valuable in the case of things like 'Montezumas Revenge', and even life-saving in the case of things things like staph infections. Again your local docs should be able to help you out.

Out of the Brunton's, if you have the resources, I'd suggest the SolarRoll 14 and you can always chain two or more together for additional power. Being able to make the most out of the suspected few clear bright sun days you will have inbetween overcast or rain days may make a difference? Everyone else is spot on about a medical kit being a priority. Have a great adventure, stay healthy. Cheers.

Thanks Wags! - Yeah, I reckon the diving could be pretty awesome. Not sure whether we'll have any capacity though. ......

hey Anthony, sounds like the chance of a lifetime, I'm sure you'll make the most of it.

I've got one of these 12V hookah units called a Powersnorkel. You could recharge it via solar during the week (while your working ) and have a dive on your time off on the weekend . That will only work if you can keep track of the days of the week though . tally marks on a coconut palm maybe....

The one I have is the Powersnorkel which is basically a floating compressor, good to 12m. They do a more powerful one (1 diver to 25m, 2 divers to 12m) but it is designed to work off the deck of a boat. It is still quite small, so you could always take a small plastic blow-up boat and put it in that.

darren

Enzo in the movie (Jean Reno's lardo?!? merde mais non!) or the real Enzo Maiorca? Isn't he like 80 now? If you aspire to duplicate an 80 year old's tummy...weellll....

A few months in the Solomons eating basic food should do any weight control diet good.

You may also want to bring some silica gel and a air tight dry box for the electronics.

Umm - probably more lardo than svelte I'm afraid. Honeymoon decadence may have got the better of my waistline. Dry box is a great idea. Some sort of plastic food storage box would probably suffice I assume?

Good luck Anthony!

 

Alex

Thanks Alex - looking forward to seeing more of your Aussie stuff when it gets into print. From what I have seen so far, you've tackled Australia with your usual unique eye and perspective - very cool.

Folks are concentrating on antimalarials which is good, but I would also have on hand an initial supply of a broad spectrum antibiotics (maybe two) like Cipro and Bactrim - these can be very valuable in the case of things like 'Montezumas Revenge', and even life-saving in the case of things things like staph infections. Again your local docs should be able to help you out.

Thanks loftus - will ask docs about Cipro and Bactrim when we go - I think we've already got some Cipro from previous adventures, but probably better to get some fresh.

Out of the Brunton's, if you have the resources, I'd suggest the SolarRoll 14 and you can always chain two or more together for additional power. Being able to make the most out of the suspected few clear bright sun days you will have inbetween overcast or rain days may make a difference? Everyone else is spot on about a medical kit being a priority. Have a great adventure, stay healthy. Cheers.

Thanks Paquito - the SolarRoll does look the part...

I wonder whether anyone has any comments comparing it to the Solaris 26?

The Solaris puts out more watts, but it is unclear whether it is as robust and weatherproof as the SolarRoll. Nobody seems to sell them down here, but I haven't looked to hard yet...

That will only work if you can keep track of the days of the week though . tally marks on a coconut palm maybe....

That reminds me actually...

Anyone got a suggestion for a watch?

I currently use my mobile phone which obviously won't be much use on Tetepare. Would be nice to have something waterproof to cope with all the rain. Something reliable, maybe dive capable and not too pricey??

The one I have is the Powersnorkel ...[snip]

Wow! That is so cool Darren! Thanks for such a great idea. We'll keep it mind.

We'll probably end up paying mucho excess baggage fees already, but I'm tempted to try to squeeze on of these in. The price might be a bit of an issue for us though Still, it is great to know solutions are available. Thanks.

Hi,

I went to Tetepare Island this past summer to do some exploratory diving with the Rangers (in their lovely Canadian Park Ranger uniforms), but as yet they had no diving equipment or compressor. There seemed to be a lot of damage from either storms or the tsunami. Hopefully things will be settled down a bit. Here's a teaser from down the road and one of Tetepare.

Cheers,

Marli

Anyone got a suggestion for a watch?

Ask the remarkable Brad Norman.. he must have a spare Rolex submariner by now.

We'll probably end up paying mucho excess baggage fees already

Looks like the KOKOPO CHIEF is one of three ships that do the regular Melb- Honiara run.. they could take all your big heavy stuff, even if it got there after you.

Will you have a boat?

Hi,

I went to Tetepare Island this past summer to do some exploratory diving with the Rangers (in their lovely Canadian Park Ranger uniforms), but as yet they had no diving equipment or compressor. There seemed to be a lot of damage from either storms or the tsunami. Hopefully things will be settled down a bit. Here's a teaser from down the road and one of Tetepare.

Cheers,

Marli

Wow Marli! That is fantastic that you have been there! Will have to ask you some more. As I understand it the island suffered during the tsunami, so that may have been what you witness. Apparently it is on the mend now, but we should be able to report in more detail soon. Would love to see more photos if you have them. Certainly haven't seen anything as beautiful as the two you just posted. Got any UW shots?

Ask the remarkable Brad Norman.. he must have a spare Rolex submariner by now.

Looks like the KOKOPO CHIEF is one of three ships that do the regular Melb- Honiara run.. they could take all your big heavy stuff, even if it got there after you.

Yes, will see if Brad can lend me his fancy Rolex. BTW - how would we go about getting stuff on the KOKOPO?

Will you have a boat?

Yep. Two in fact. One with a 15hp and one with a 40hp.

....how would we go about getting stuff on the KOKOPO?

Need not be that ship in particular... but talk to Seaway agencies www.seaway.com.au they should be able to help. If you get nowhere with the Melbourne Office, drop me a note and I'll give you my contact in Brisbane she has always been very helpful. Looks like they are agents for Sofrana.

You are looking for LCL (Less than a Container Load) shipping. They may drop off at other islands closer to where you will be, so ask plenty of questions.

darren

It wasn't very productive for U/W photography, as visibility was in the 5-15 foot range. I saw shrimp gobies, pipefish, a few orange-fin anemonefish, some chromodorid nudibranchs, whip gobies, an old giant moray, and this guy, who seemed to need something to clean. I'm sure you'll find some interesting stuff. Take a macro lens.

Cheers,

Marli

Hey Anth - congrats on the Solomons posting!

... and event bigger congrats to you and Michaela for you recent wedding !!

Sounds like Tetepare will be a great adventure! when will you get there?

Anyone got a suggestion for a watch?

if you can't find a rolex you like (happens to me all the time) these can be real handy

... of course you might want the guys version

Need not be that ship in particular... but talk to Seaway agencies www.seaway.com.au they should be able to help.

What a great suggestion Darren! Thanks so much for that. Will definitely look into it.

It wasn't very productive for U/W photography, as visibility was in the 5-15 foot range. I saw shrimp gobies, pipefish, a few orange-fin anemonefish, some chromodorid nudibranchs, whip gobies, an old giant moray, and this guy, who seemed to need something to clean. I'm sure you'll find some interesting stuff. Take a macro lens.

Thanks for the tip Marli. Really looking forward to it. Love your cleaner.

Hey Anth - congrats on the Solomons posting!

 

... and event bigger congrats to you and Michaela for you recent wedding !!

 

Sounds like Tetepare will be a great adventure! when will you get there?

if you can't find a rolex you like (happens to me all the time) these can be real handy

 

... of course you might want the guys version

Thanks Leander - really appreciate the kind words and the suggestions. Those ripcurl watches look cool!

yeah, I'm lovin mine

I'll be diving in Gizo/Munda in April

will you guys be there already ? ... funny to think you'd be a few islands away