The past couple of weeks in Honiara has really focused our attention on all the people we have come to love in the Solomons.
We now have just three weeks to go. Our weekends have mostly turned into long, lazy social sessions with everyone just chatting or playing music. Our weekend in Visale was a perfect example. We have been to Visale three times and it never ceases to amaze. A sweeping stone beach fringed by coral and a deep swimming hole in the cool of a big old tree. Our cycling crew set out at 6am for the 45km ride to Visale. We passed through many many villages, seeing less people with every passing kilometer.
Leaving the dusty cacophony of cars and people in Honiara is awesome. We watched the huge trees in season, dripping with mangoes. So many mangoes that the road was lined with fresh skins. After stopping for some mangoes of our own we were in Visale by for a dip in the ocean. We spent the day snorkeling and lazing by the ocean. In a stroke of genius, Kim moved all the mattresses outside on the verandah. A cool breeze and conversation filled with ridiculous hypotheticals.
By night fall we had managed to cook up a wicked dinner complete with whole baked fish. Much red wine later, the cycle back was a little harder. The mood on the streets had changed quickly.
Fuelled by Solbrew, their was raw anger and frustration. We cycled faster once we hit Honiara and were happy to be safely at the yacht club to stash our bikes. The resort is by far the best place we have ever stayed. Just us and two other guests on their honeymoon. Tavanipupu was opened many years ago by an Australian sailor who easily fell in love with the deep channels of coral and mystery of this magnificient island.
