02 Apr 2023

Touring the tracks and traditions at Tetepare Island

Today we awoke as Heritage Adventurer entered the channel between Tetepare and Rendova Islands in the New Georgia group of the Solomon Islands.

Tetepare is set aside as a reserve island, so anticipation was high for a great morning ashore.

After a slow commute through the fringing corals in our Zodiacs, we arrived at a small clearing teeming with birdlife as well as numerous lumbering monitor lizards. New birds were ticked off thick and fast, with most people seeing the first of many exquisite White-capped Monarchs and Claret-breasted Fruit Doves. Small parties of Dark-eyed White-eyes were common, and most birders connected with the local pair of Beach Kingfishers and a friendly Melanesian Megapode.

Our guides arranged a wonderful welcome ceremony where local warriors came to greet us and share displays of a giant skink and a Cuscus. We then enjoyed a tour through the forest where we marvelled at the enormous strangler figs.

After lunch the more experienced snorkellers among us explored the stunning reefs off Tetepare while others continued birding around Suki Eco Lodge on nearby Rendova Island. The latter lodge is set in an area of tall, uncut forest, and offered incredible views of Kolombangara Monarchs and White-winged Fantails.

Before we knew it, it was time to return to back to comforting surrounds of Heritage Adventurer for refreshing drinks at the bar and a recap of tomorrow's plans as we continue our adventures around the Solomon Islands

Image (c): Heritage Expeditions