30 Mar 2023

Experiencing Nendo Island Kastoms and Traditions

Today we visited the island of Nendo as Heritage Adventurer approached the seldom visited Santa Cruz islands, which lie east of the Solomon Islands.

The intrepid birders among us went ashore first and explored a forest track to see three localised endemics: Santa Cruz and Sandford's White-eyes and Temotu Whistler. We also saw hundreds of Mackinlay's Cuckoo Doves, Rufous Fantails and the exquisite Red-bellied Fruit Doves and Cardinal Myzomelas, as well as Temotu Flying Foxes.

The rest of us visited a local village where we were 'ambushed' by traditional warriors, treated to a dance performance, and then invited to join in the dancing. After a sumptuous meal of tuna and local produce we had the opportunity to buy locally-made souvenir items. We then visited a second village near where the birders had landed.

After returning to the ship for lunch, we sailed west in calm seas past the active volcano Mt Tinakula for the long crossing to Makira Island. In the early evening Suzanne educated us about the 'kastom' (custom) practices of the Solomon Islanders before another recap and briefing on the plans for tomorrow's visit to Makira Island.

Image on file (c) C. Rayes