Retro reports: A Pacific adventure

[GarrettM]

Bungalow from other angles....

That's a floating bridge in the second shot, connecting two small rock islands. It'd rise and fall with the tide, and make for an interesting crossing if you didn't fancy getting wet. Although it made it easy to get in and out for swimming. Quite a few of those reef sharks around this spot too. But bigger than the last ones. I think they ranged mostly in the four to five feet variety, with some smaller ones thrown in. Again not aggressive, but we didn't tempt them either.

 

[GarrettM]

As for inside the bungalow?

There were a few of these guys about. A happy little ecosystem among the bamboo. These guys ate the moths and other insects. The lizards controlled the spider population. And the birds kept an overview of the whole network.
Made sleeping a little tough at times. The scurrying of the geckos and lizards ca get pretty loud.

As you can see it's not quite luxury, but comfortable enough. Certainly better than the last island. We had planned to go from basic, to intermediate, to genuine comfort, so we were coming along nicely.
The food was simple, but good. Seafood and vegies mostly, although this one appears to have been beef something or other. Tasty.

 

[GarrettM]

Some of the local attractions include weaving and other classes you can do with the nearby villagers, but we didn't really fancy that. Better to just relax, read, swim, snorkel, and watch the locals go by on the old paddling highway.

 

[GarrettM]

Our time at Serah’s was at an end, so back we go into the long-boat and off it is to Auki for our flight back to Honiara. Except when we arrive the IE office is closed. The office is in a small complex that includes a hostel, so we asked around and it turned out the flight for the day had been cancelled the night before. This is not ideal, because now we were faced with the prospect of another voyage on the 360. Complicating that, the boat was already very late in arriving at Auki on the day and we had no cash to buy tickets.

We had expected to use CC for our flights, but the 360 office at Auki was cash only, and our ability to get cash was in serious question due to a lack of ATMs. Thankfully that worked out in the end but it was a close call.

The 360, which had been due to arrive at midday and leave by 1300 didn’t arrive until almost 1600, which meant a departure closer 1800 and an arrival back in Honiara near or past midnight.
Here is me trying to remain zen...




Suffice to say it was unpleasant. Another example of “Solomon Time” I guess. At least we didn’t have this experience: Passengers lament horrific sea ordeal - Solomon Star

So it was back in the capital under the cover of dark, and back in the Honiara Hotel around 0100, with just enough time for a few hours sleep before the next flight.

 

[GarrettM]

HIR-Marau PLB B Islander
Small planes.....




Off to what is in our opinion THE BEST resort experience in the Solomon Islands, Tavanipupu Island Resort in Marau Sound. Tavanipupu Island Resort | Solomon Islands It might be familiar to some as the place Will & Kate stayed in 2012. In fact a Google search of that will even find an article penned by MrsGM about their trip.



This was our second stay at “Pupu”, having spent a weekend their on the anniversary of our initial meeting. Little did the MrsGM know this visit would also be significant, as I had earmarked the island’s jetty as the perfect spot for a wedding proposal over dinner.

The resort had undergone some upgrades since our first visit and as it turned out we were given a free upgrade into the Royal Bungalow, named for obvious reasons. It still amuses me to say I have used the same indoor plumbing as the next King of England.



One thing Marau Sound is apparently known for is its remarkable collection of tropical fish. Collectors come from all over the world to capture specimens for their collection. Basically they come, net the fish, bag and box them up, and then fly them out of Marau and then out of the country. It’s something to see. Not sure I am a fan of it but presumably it’s legal.

 

[GarrettM]

So inside the Royal Bungalow. King size four post bed, with the comfiest mattress I've ever found. Indoor and outdoor shower. Full power. Fridge well stocked with Solbrew and bottled water. Very comfortable couches. Outdoor hammock and dining area, plus day bed.
I'll let some photos explain more...



Let me tell you something. After the overnight ordeal of getting from Auki to Honiara, the three hours sleep, the predawn wake-up and airport visit, the white-knuckle ride on that tiny plane, and then the boat transfer - I needed that coconut. Only a shame it didn't come pre-filled with rum.

 

[GarrettM]

And of course an island paradise is only as good as the view.

Our own private jetty, separate from the island's main jetty.


The Royal Bungalow is kept private from the other visiting riff raff. Quite nice really.


View from the front porch to our jetty.


And on our way to the dining "hall" where you can enjoy meals with other guests if you so choose.


Speaking of food...

 

[GarrettM]

Forgive me but before AFF taking photos of my meals wasn't something I gave much thought too. But I do have a few from this particular spot.


A little bacon and egg breakfast.

Some sort of vegie entree thingy.




Crayfish thermidor.


And an incredible rum banana pudding, which I really must try making someday.

No pics of booze sadly. Suffice to say it was mostly Solbrews for me and white wine for her.

As always watch out for falling coconuts!

 

[GarrettM]

A few more pics with some extra story.


A bit of a shot of the dining area.



The jetty where I had decided to propose. It's a nerve wracking moment I don't intend to have to go through again. I had cheap ring to use I'd hidden all trip. Was terrified I would drop it though and it would end up in the water. I'd arranged for our dinner to be on the jetty. Candles, champagne, privacy, the setting sun. Great times. She had no idea. Can't remember exactly what I said but it must have done the trick.



Post proposal happiness. I did ok.


And since I couldn't possibly top that moment, I figured I could relax for a bit.

 

[GarrettM]

I can't say we did a lot of activities on Tavanipupu. We just needed to relax. But we did get a chance for something not many people experience.
A lunch date on a secluded island with not a soul for miles.
Added a couple hundred dollars to our bill but well worth it. The crew packed up a seafood lunch with some drinks and we jumped on the boat, to a little sandhill about 15 minutes away.


First glimpse of our lunch venue.


Getting there.


Lunch on the beach!



Self-timer cameras are great!

 

[GarrettM]

More island pics...


Our closest island neighbour.


Interesting to see how these islands grow. Something plants roots, and things just wash up and stick, until "suddenly" you have an island. Sure it takes hundreds, maybe thousands of years but uh,



life uh, finds a way.

 

[GarrettM]

Couple last photos to finish up our Pupu sojourn.


I'd never seen a pineapple tree before. Just assumed they were regular tree size. They are not.


Gotta love a happy tree.

Sadly after three days it was time to leave. A short boat transfer back to the mainland. The plane leaves the grass strip and half an hour or so later we're in Honiara again. Sigh.

We didn’t have accommodation booked for our last night in the Solomons, because we were fairly confident we could sort something out at the last minute.

In the end we simply walked into the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel and got ourselves a simple Garden View room overlooking the pool. Again there’s nothing particularly impressive about the facilities, but they were clean and secure, which is mostly all I am ever after.

But the SKM does have a few things going for it. Namely its restaurants. There’s Hakubai for lovers of Japanese cuisine, and Capitana for a more rounded menu. Capitana happens to offer an amazing seafood buffet on Wednesday nights, so our timing was perfect. Crayfish, prawns, coral trout, king snapper, and assorted other oceanic treats, as well as salads, fruits, pastries and other desserts, all washed down with a couple of glasses of white or a few Solbrews. Not a shabby way to end what had turned out to be a very memorable trip.

It was back to Brisbane the following day, and into another of those sudden Queensland summer storms.
A single night at the Metro Hotel Tower Mill and then back home to Perth.
That makes it six times I have been to Brisbane - all as transit to and from Honiara - and never stayed longer than 20 hours. I really want to get back there for a proper look one day. Oh well.

That sums up our 2013 Solomons trip, but tomorrow I will add some pics from a previous visit to the Vilu War Museum, which is what reminded me to share this story in the beginning.

Thanks for reading, if you did.

 

[drron]

Congratulations.The Solomons is obviously a special place for you.Brought back memories.
Must try and find the photos from our 1981 trip.Unfortunately those from the 69 trip were stolen.