2006-10 Spirit of Solomons #8 with Island Explorations

Solomon Islands Map

The route of this particular trip marked in black.

2008-08-02#0226

Larry L. Jackson

LJax & CoolPix L6

I look pretty calm considering none of my luggage arrived on the plane.

Mendana Hotel, Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, October 5, 2006

2006-10-05#1301

Bob Petering

Sunset

There is a very nice reef here on a bit of a sea mount.

Velvia Reef, Florida Islands, Solomon Islands, October 6, 2006

2006-10-06#0013

Larry L. Jackson

Divers & Camera Table

Getting ready for a night dive.

Velvia Reef, Florida Islands, Solomon Islands, October 6, 2006

2006-10-06#0023

Larry L. Jackson

Sunset

My eighth visit to the Solomon Islands.

Velvia Reef, Florida Islands, Solomon Islands, October 6, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

MV Bilikiki

Sister ship that accommodates just 14 scuba divers.

Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 8, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Bat Cave

The bat cave is central to the photo.

Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 8, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Bob, David & Others

After recovering from traveler's distress, a beer and visit with friends felt good.

Dining Deck, Spirit of Solomons, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 9, 2006

2006-10-09#0045

Larry L. Jackson

Divers

My luggage arrived and I have my dive gear and underwater camera equipment, but skipped all the crepuscular dives.

Mirror Pond, Mane Island, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 9, 2006

2006-10-09#0050

Larry L. Jackson

Mirror Pond

I skipped this dive.

Mane Island, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 9, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Child

Village children seem a bit puzzled by visitors.

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Steve & Carver

Visitors buying carvings is one of few sources of money for the local craftsmen.

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Children

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Children

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Carver

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Carvings

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Father & child

A bit camera shy.

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Steve & Chris

The ship also provides vegetable seeds and then buys fresh produce from the villages.

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Carvers

Larger craft items can be shipped DHL from Honiara at the end of the trip.

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Carvings

Mostly bowls here.

Bili Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Child

Luten's Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Children

Luten's Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Children

Luten's Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Child

Luten's Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Children

Luten's Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Child

Luten's Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Child

Luten's Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Boats

Luten's Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

View

Looking at Bili Village across the bay.

Luten's Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 10, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Sales Day

Logo goods available for purchase.

MV Spirit of Solomons, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 11, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Children

Checking out the visitors.

Peava Village, Gatokae Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

2006-10-12#0089

Larry L. Jackson

Shopping

Peava Village, Gatokae Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Carvers

A channel allows MV Spirit of Solomons to anchor very close to this village.

Peava Village, Gatokae Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Women & Chidren

Peava Village, Gatokae Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Kellie buying Produce

One of the managers getting some fresh produce for the kitchen.

Peava Village, Gatokae Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Mother & Child

Peava Village, Gatokae Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Child

Peava Village, Gatokae Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Lagoon Point

We dived along the protected coast of this small island.

Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

2006-10-12#0102

Larry L. Jackson

Donald & Philip

Two of the crew that made sure we had plenty of air in our scuba tanks, and took care of all the chores on our ship.

MV Spirit of Solomons, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

2006-10-12#0104

Larry L. Jackson

Dive Briefing Board

A briefing precedes every dive.

Mbulo Island, Spirit of Solomons, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 12, 2006

2006-10-12#0106

Larry L. Jackson

Mainland

Telina Village is located on a small island off a larger island.

Telina Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 13, 2006

2006-10-13#0108

Larry L. Jackson

Children

Hoping to sell some flowers to the ship.

Telina Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 13, 2006

2006-10-13#0111

Larry L. Jackson

Rodney's Carving

King Ebony carved bowl with Nautilus shell inlay.

Telina Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 13, 2006

2006-10-13#0113

Larry L. Jackson

Rodney & Dad

Telina Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 13, 2006

2006-10-13#0114

Larry L. Jackson

Mother & Child

Telina Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 13, 2006

2006-10-13#0115

Larry L. Jackson

Women & Children

Telina Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 13, 2006

2006-10-13#0116

Larry L. Jackson

Shopping

Telina Village, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, October 13, 2006

2006-10-13#0117

Larry L. Jackson

Barracuda Point

Also called Mary Island, we usually dive this protected side and very fish rich location.

Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, October 14, 2006

2006-10-14#0119

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Bob, David, Dan & Ruth

Relaxing on the dining deck.

Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, October 14, 2006

2006-10-14#0120

Larry L. Jackson

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops aduncus - riding the bow wave.

MV Spirit of Solomons, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Bottlenose Dolphins

Tursiops aduncus - a large pod riding the bow wave.

MV Spirit of Solomons, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

2006-10-15#0144

Larry L. Jackson

Coconut Plantation

Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Ann & Tamie

Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Bruce & Chris

In the shade, still with a good view ahead.

Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

2006-10-15#0150

Larry L. Jackson

Wreck of the Ann

An old fishing boat was sunk here to make a dive location.

Yandina, Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

2006-10-15#0156

Larry L. Jackson

Boy in Canoe

Children that grow up in these locations are very comfortable with small boats and the water.

Wreck of the Ann, Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

2006-10-15#0162

Larry L. Jackson

Coconut Plantation

Accommodations for workers.

Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

House

Yandina, Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Children in Canoe

Villagers come out to look at the visitors.

Wreck of the Ann, Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

2006-10-15#0167

Larry L. Jackson

Woman & Children in Canoe

Wreck of the Ann, Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

LJax

2006 look.

Wreck of the Ann, Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Children in Canoe

Wreck of the Ann, Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Woman & Children in Canoe

Hoping to sell a bit of produce.

Wreck of the Ann, Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Child in Canoe

Wreck of the Ann, Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

White Beach Patchwork Sail

Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 15, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Sandfly Passage

Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 16, 2006

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David & Stacy

Sandfly Passage, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 16, 2006

2006-10-16#0197

Larry L. Jackson

Evening Visitors

The ship moved to more open water to avoid mosquitoes.

Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 16, 2006

2006-10-16#0010

Larry L. Jackson

Sunset

Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, October 16, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson

Ferries

Some of the smaller inter-island ferries that operate in the Solomon Islands.

Honiara Port, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, October 17, 2006

2006-10-17#0016

Larry L. Jackson

Equipment on Barge

Honiara Port, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, October 17, 2006

2006-10-17#0017

Larry L. Jackson

Sam & Kellie

Nice Australian couple that manage staff and keep a close eye on the guests :-)

MV Spirit of Solomons Managers, Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, October 17, 2006

2006-10-17#0021

Larry L. Jackson

MV Spirit of Solomons Managers & Crew

Honiara Port, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, October 17, 2006

2006-10-17#0022

Larry L. Jackson

Guests

MV Spirit of Solomons Managers, Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, October 17, 2006

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Larry L. Jackson