27.01.2013
Hello hello,
I hope this finds you well, ladies and gents.
Well, it’s been nearly 3 weeks since left the comforts of London and home life. Some days, it feels like time is flying by. Other days, like today for instance, it appears that time misleads me; surely it’s been longer than that, I find myself saying. Thankfully, mother stocked my bulging suitcase with much desired toiletries and chocolate supplies to keep me going...thaaaaanks Mama True!
Bon voyage and bienvenue
It was a strange feeling to come back to Honiara and I do admit that it was much harder leaving the UK this time. I attribute that to leaving loved ones with the knowledge that it will be a significantly longer stint before I see you all again. That said my Honiara Re-immersion Programme 2013 (HRP – no, not Home Responsibilities Protection my dear DWP colleagues J) is now underway, what with my being back at work and my friends returning from their travels, and a tipple or two of Solbrew by the beach.
Full steam ahead
Work is also back with a bang. We’re currently undertaking the Central Bank’s annual report consultations. This means that over the next month, we will be visiting over 100 organisations compromising of government ministries, private sector companies, and donor agencies. Tired much. Just saying!
Just last week, I visited GPPOL, the palm oil plantation; over 9,000 hectares of smelly fruit bunches and a factory to gobble them all up and churn out palm oil and palm kernel oil – fascinating stuff. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to go on a tour this time but if you come to visit (Lukasz, Elena, Cladam, Pipster, Jenny, Lulu – not naming names), I can organise one. Even more exciting is next week’s itinerary. Tomorrow, my work colleague and I will be flying to Western Province for four days. We’ll be visiting the tuna cannery and speaking to the major (nasty) logging companies. I think the most worrying/exciting[1] part is the anticipated boat ride from Ringgi to Gizo. I’ve been recommended by the seasoned travellers in the office to take my life jacket just in case the tiny rowing boat capsizes…troubling thoughts.
All change please, all change
The new year has also brought much change, not only in the arrival of the rainy season (what’s that rhyme again…rain rain, go away…) but also to the fun and frolics that Honiara offers. Netball training is intensifying and my biceps (what exists of them) are receiving the workout of the century from the new gym routine! Must…beat…the…rice…belly!
I’d say the highlight so far since returning has been that Theo has started teaching me to drive this month. I had my first driving lesson in the airport car park and yes, Mike and Char, the car, Theo and myself are surprisingly still in one piece. Furthermore, no innocent bystanders or pedestrians were hurt in the process (very funny, Lukasz). Who knows, if I carry on like this, I might be on the road before the end of my two year placement J I know, I can’t quite believe it myself.
Introducing…The Solomon Islands Fact File (SIFF)
Well kids, just before I go there was one thing that I have noticed about my previous updates – I have yet to introduce you all to this rather exceptional country with comprehension and detail that you duly deserve. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to initiate…wait for it…yes, you guessed it…the Solomon Islands Fact File. This will be simple reading compromising of a tantalising trio of Solomon Islands facts. In this edition, they are:
1. Solomon Islands, located east of Papua New Guinea, comprise of 992 islands made up of 9 provinces[2]. They are Central, Choiseul, Guadacanal, Honiara (the capital), Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell & Bellona, Temotu. Land area in total covers 28,400 square kilometres.
2. Official figures estimate the population to be around 515,000[3] consisting of around 90,000 households and an average family size of 5.5. However, the population is likely to be higher; the World Bank figures suggest the population has increased to 550,000.
3. The majority of Solomon Islanders are Melanesians, roughly 94.5%. The other main groups are Polynesians (3%), Micronesians (1.2%)[4].
Well, I best get ready for my trip. Packed my trusty Cladam torch, the lifesaving Savlon, and most importantly, my camera J. Wish me luck!
A bientot!
Kennton xx
P.S. Send me an email please! Missing you all very much.
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