Solomon Islands Diaries
I'm on a 10-day trip to the Solomons for work. We are sponsoring infrastructure projects so we will be mostly checking out roads and bridges. I'll also be going over the EA's accounts (which is the more broing part).
WARNING: written on the fly with no editing. Very long entry. Because hello, what else am I to do here in whoopwhoop?
31/10/06
We got to Honiara about 2PM via Brisbane. My first time to be in business class fell a bit short of expectation because the planes we flew on were really quite small. The Sydney via Brisbane leg was ok and while in Brisbane I got to hang around the lounge where they were serving free breakfast and drinks. I have to say that the biggest difference flying business and cattle class is that they ply you non stop with food and drink in business.
We are billeted at the King Solomons Hotel which has quite a nice lobby with a tropical resort feel to it. It's on a steep hill, you get to ride a cable car to get to your room if you dont want to navigate the steps. The rooms are however quite a different story. They are bare and utilitarian. I am thankful however that they are clean.
After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we went to the markets to get fruit and vegetables. My officemate who has been here quite a few times is paranoid about going out at night because he points out that it is not the safest of places. He admits though that it also saves us quite a few bucks if we don't eat out as much. That's ok with me as I want to save too. So tonight, we are preparing a dinner of rice and tuna at his room (he brought a hot plate) and tomorrow, we will have fresh fruit.
My first impression of Honiara is that it is a lot like the provinces of the Philippines. Lots of roadside stalls and the scenery is quite green and you can see the sea from the road. There isn't much of a CBD so people seem to be just hanging out (otherwise known as tambay or standby). It is hot, humid and there is a pungent smell hanging in the air. Not polluted like Manila, but a strong, salty, sweaty smell is there.
I am having doubts whether I can survive ten days here. But it looks like we will be very busy starting tomorrow and only a one-day weekend to look forward to. I miss my bed already. I miss my mobile. I miss Sydney.
1/11/06
Had meetings all day. It was migraine city as it was extremely hot and bright and sunny. Was falling asleep by 2PM when we were meeting with the undersecretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Development. I'd met him before when we held a workshop in Sydney and he's a smart, vivacious guy. Not your boring and stuffy governmenet official. But then, most of the islanders are really easygoing. The women are also very nice but extremely soft spoken, and I think a little submissive. Also, can I jsut add... the government officials here seem to know their stuff. They seem to be really working as opposed to... hahaha nevermind.
We had lunch at the Project Manager's house where we met his wife and son, DUncan. He was such a blond cutie. But he's sick so he was a bit grumpy. We had a lovely lunch of tuna and rice and Bush lime juice which was really refreshing. Dinner was at a Chinese seafood restaurant since my officemate and I were already stuffed with tuna up to our ears.
2/11/06
I finally got in touch with my family although my SBD100 phone card lasted barely 10 minutes. That's roughly AU$20. I just reassured them that all was well and I'm ok. Still have to get my head around the fact that I still have a week to go here. But one day at a time...
We flew out to Auki in Malaita province. In probably the smallest plane I've ever flown on. It was only about a 20-seater plane with no airconditioning. There were some chooks in the plane, but thankfully they weren't in the cabin with us. It was a fairly smooth flight although I had trouble relaxing in the beginning. It was only a 30 minute flight anyway.
Auki is very remote with only a little town with several buildings. We stayed in the only motel in town. It was quite exhausting as we went to South Malaita to check how the roads and bridges were progressing. Auki reminded me a lot of going to "linang" (Filipino bush). The roads and tiny villages were very similar. The houses were made of nipa or wood and they were mostly elevated. I didn't have much of a problem with the roughness of the roads - I've been to worse in 'pinas.
We also had a consultation with the community of Arabala. The people here are very poor. But they were genuinely nice and appreciative of the work ADB/AUSAID/NZAID were doing. They were also a little worried about the upkeep of the roads. Because down the road (pun not intended) these roads will need to be maintained, and they know that the money will have to come from the community. The gravel being used right now come from a few landowners. For free. Right now, they (the landowneres) know they are benefitting from this, but in the future they will have to be compensated for this resource. Where will the money come from?
The children of Arabala were really lovely. I enjoyed taking their pictures and showing them their smiling faces in my tiny digital camera. They probably have never seen anything like it before. You know how in 'pinas tourists get gawked at? I am living in a reverse universe right now where I am the one being gawked at. I haven't seen a lot of South East Asians here in SI, and only one Cambodian (the foreman) in Auki, so I guess I must be a novelty. Right now though, I am sweaty and probably not a little stinky. I need a shower.
3/11/06
I now know about drains, crowns, culverts, abuttments, baileys and have probably seen enough bridges and roads to last me a lifetime. My (a)butt(ment) is sore from being on the road for six hours. ;p We flew back to Honiara after waiting for the plane for nearly an hour. There was no one else in the "airport" so we had actually turned back because we thought the flight was postponed/cancelled. Did I mention that there isn't an actual runway? It's just a flat field of grass with chicken and pigs running about. These things shouldn't really amaze me as I'm third world but still... Am now back in the office doing accounts. Or am supposed to be anyway...
Tomorrow (Saturday) is my only free day, I think I might venture out on my own while my officemate is playing golf. By venturing out, I mean walking down the main road and going to the expat hangout Lime Lounge cafe (about 8 mins away). Hmmm... should I call Andrew B? Met him before at the Infra Workshop and he's based here. He was really nice too... We shall see.