01 Nov 2022

Welcome to the Solomon Islands!

After clearing customs some of us went ashore early at 6.45am for some longer walk options and more time to spend at Imbu Rano Lodge in the Highlands with a slightly cooler climate. We were welcomed ashore by the ingenious local jandal pipe band - amazing what music can be made from some plastic pipes and a few jandals. Once loaded on our fully air-conditioned local flatbed trucks we made our way up into the highlands with good views of a Solomon Eagle en route and enjoying the traversing through the lush rainforest. Once at the Lodge some of us took the more adventurous longer option of walking to a viewpoint whilst others relaxed at the lodge and let the wildlife come to them and wandered around the lodge where there were wonderful array of orchids and lush vegetation. With local guides we were shown examples of the many uses of the plants and trees found in the forest, trees used for the dugout canoes, glue for the canoes and vines that they can use for water. We also saw wonderful examples of the ant plant with its colonies of ants living in symbiosis with the plant - we later saw a short clip from Neil Nightingale showing the intricate workings of the plant - so interesting.

In the afternoon we were taken out to Lily's Island a tiny sand island with resident enigmatic ‘Lily' who welcomed us ashore. We spent time enjoying the white sand, snorkelling from the beach, browsing the wonderful wooden carvings by the local Solomon carvers, some of us also ventured out to the US plane wreck ‘Hellcat' to snorkel and get glimpses of this aircraft through the depths of the ocean. A wonderful afternoon - followed by another fantastic evening meal by the team on board.

Image on File (c) D.Brown