Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Part 12 - Fun in the Sun

24.05.2013

Hello hello,

I hope this finds you all well.

So many birthdays that have passed – belated happy birthdays to both Hatties, Leisha, Ben, Luise, Paul, Vix, and Elena. Also, thanks to all for your emails and messages.

I hear you say “what adventures do you have for us this week, Kenn?” Well, follow me…

Paradise with a bite…is back!
Part 12 comes a little delayed as I was wiped out with a viral infection for 5 days. Initially, the doctor believed the symptoms mirrored what seemed to be dengue fever but I’m just thankful it was just normal fever mixed with a little island fever I think – that was bad enough! 12 coconuts, several lunch visits from work colleagues, and numerous calls from my wonderful Solly friends and neighbours definitely helped to keep the virus at bay.

Towards the end of the week when I was feeling better but not yet back to work, it was actually enjoyable to have some time at home doing very little. Nora, my housemaid, shared her secret bush lime juice recipe – easily the best in Honiara. In return, I taught Nora, how to make banana bread. I’ll let you assess whether it was a success or not via the photos. I thought it was delicious albeit not as good as the batches made by Mel and Jen for the Mbike Minibreak.




A walk in the countryside
However much you think you know a place, it’s always a nice surprise to be reminded that there’s always more to see, to do, and make your own. A friend, Theo, once said “during your time in Honiara, don’t wait for the fun to happen - you have to make your own fun.” Ever since then, I have been hatching plans (not of the evil variety) to explore what this beautiful country has tucked away.
For example, Theo, a veteran of the Solomon Islands, and I decided to go for a walk in the countryside around West Cola Ridge a couple of Sundays ago. Although the location of the walk was relatively close to Honiara, you wouldn’t think you were in the capital city at all. The hustle and bustle of Honiara follows a long stretch of road, which is parallel to the shoreline. As you move inland, the land becomes more mountainous and less populous. It doesn’t take long before you are surrounded by hills, vegetation, the pleasant absence of traffic and urban spread.

The start of the bush walk was very scenic with stunning landscape views of much of Guadacanal Island (the island the capital is located – for more info, see SIFF from part 6). The undulating hills were nice from afar but having to cut through them was another matter entirely. Fortunately for my sanity, the light at the end of the tunnel took us to a stream with an abundance of cooling water pools. It was at this point that hike-loving Theo decided that we should go off piste and head off the usual track. We started to climb a muddy precipice with Theo climbing leading the way. It was only near the top of the wall of earth that the mud became so soft that anything we grabbed was easily uprooted from the ground. Then, as I attempted to slide to the side, I lost my footing and slipped. With nothing to grip onto, I managed with some success to turn around and use my bottom as a resistance device. It was like sliding down a water slide but without the water and substituted with lots of mud and bumps and stones…you get it. Fortunately, my rather large bottom saved the day by getting jammed between two rocks – thank goodness. Then, on our way back, Theo accidently kicked a massive rock that tumbled down the hill, narrowly missing my head but just clipping my ankle and taking some skin with it before it proceeded to roll downwards. Thankfully, we made it back in one piece – something to occupy the time :)









Mbike Minibreak
Woohoo! It’s magnificent, it’s marvellous, it’s Mbike. Guys – I cannot describe to you how beautiful this place is so I’ll let the photos do that.
After a rotten few months at work with May being the most un-fun month ever (too many deadlines, papers, and reports due for Monetary Policy Committee and Financial Stability Committee and then managing the Department for a few days…it was absolutely nuts), I was in need of a marvellous minibreak.

Mbike saved the day…well at the last first part did anyway. Mike and Ez Nunan had organised this wonderful event, which brought together a varied group of 35 interesting individuals for the weekend. The day was beautiful and the waters were calm. On the way, we sailed passed what was possibly the plushest super yacht I have ever seen, even more than those in Cannes. The super yacht had a swimming pool (standard), a helipad with a helicopter on it, a speed boat, and wait for it…a accompanying submarine. Yes, a submarine. Apparently, the vessel belongs to Bill Gates’ Microsoft partner, Paul Allen, who spends some time in the Sols from time to time. Launched in 2003, it is the 8th largest yacht in the world and reaches 414 foot long.  I’m still in awe of the submarine…a submarine!  Take a look…http://most-expensive.com/yacht




Anyway, I digress.

When we arrived, it was paradise, nothing like anything I had seen in Solomons before. This place was idyllic, the accommodation was actually pretty good, and the facilities were impressive…they even had canoes to use – yay! Together with nature’s beauty and an enormous bbq, what more could one ask for? We spent the day eating lots, playing volleyball, canoeing, eating more, swimming, snorkelling, and eating more. I think the highlight for me was definitely the canoe races around the island. I put losing the race down to the fact that Mel had a broken shoulder and couldn’t paddle. Now ,I don’t blame you, Mel. Just that you were responsible for us losing ;)

As we said goodbye the stunning skyscapes of the day that accompanied the gorgeous sunset, everyone welcomed the bright moon and night sky to the party. The evening brought birthday celebrations for Ez, Jen, and Suz together with copious amounts of alcohol and limbo dancing, and midnight swims. It was near perfect; swimming underneath the stars.

Alas, the near perfect Saturday only lasted one day as I was taken down by this viral infection. As a result, Sunday was spent wrapped in my makeshift cocoon in Caroline’s hammock, hiding from everything and anything, too weak to walk. Well guys, you didn’t think Solomons would give me a free ticket, did you? Paradise with a bite, kids. Paradise with a bite – just saying! Thankfully, Mel and Jen’s banana cake helped to bring me back to health :)


































The Filipino Embassy has arrived…
And that’s not the end of my fun for this fortnight. Oh no…something spectacular happened earlier this week…

Ever wondered what a Filipino version of a Cowboy bar and grill would be like? I, too, have often pondered this this from time to time (not). Well, good news, kids. Would you believe it that a Filipino-owned Cowboy bar and grill has now opened in Honiara (take that Fiji and Vanuatu) and boy is it something! The place definitely has a unique persona what with a bucking bronco and yes you guessed it, an 8-piece Filipino band that sing, dance, and even speak to every single person in the audience during their set breaks. The food is a little on the expensive side (yes – your default assumption was correct) and there is a cover charge later in the evening. Despite this, the place is freakin’ awesome – come on, they play tonnes of Rhi Rhi. That’s a winner in my books :)

After taking my posse down last Friday for a test run and having heaps of fun (I haven’t thrown those sorts of shapes since dancing in the Strong Rooms with Pippa, Ana, and Elena), I’m sure I’ll be regaling many-a-tale about this place in the months to come.















SIFF
Today I’ll be giving you a few facts about our current prime minister and Parliament.

1) As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented in Solomon Islands by a governor general who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet. The Governor-General of Solomon Islands is elected by parliament, as is the Prime Minister.

2) Since independence in 1978, Solomon Islands has seen 11 prime ministers with Manessah Sogavare and Peter Kenilorea both voted in for a second term whilst Solomon Mamaloni, the first ever PM, sat for three terms in total. The current  Prime Minister is Gordon Darcy Lilo. He has been in power since 16th November 2011. The term of a Prime Minister depends on the decisions of the party, similar to that of the UK system.

3) Since independence, there have been 6 Governor-Generals. The incumbent Governor-General is Frank Kabui, a former high court judge, who has been in post since 15th June 2009. The term of a GG lasts 5 years.

That’s all for this entry folks. Have to dash to frisbee. Wishing you a great day and please do write.

Much love.

Kennton xx













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