The Tensions at Marau Bay

Hello All,
Yesterday morning we were visited by a dug out canoe. It was Joe, chief Justin's other son. He is a wood carver and he also keeps track of yachts passing through with a log book. We signed the book and he also brought out some very nice shell sculptures and some wood carvings. He wanted to trade or get cash, either or. His prices were pretty steep. He sells his work to the resort next door to the village so he is used to getting paid well for his work so we said we would think about it. After he left we went into the village to visit with chief Justin. He showed us his home, which is a very traditional Island home made of grass and local wood. We had a nice chat with him and thought we would go to the resort to look around. We were met right away by the manager who told us there was still private guests on the Island and we would have to return in the afternoon. Judging by his attitude and this being the second time we tried to visit the resort we took this as a, go away we don't want you here. This left a really bad taste in my mouth. After being offered high priced carvings and an jerk for a resort manager I was ready to move on to Honiara. My crew told me to cool off and we will go to another Island close by and do some snorkeling and visit another village.

We took the dingy a half mile to the island just west of us and were met on the beach by a really nice guy, Jacob. He greeted us and invited us into his village to look around. After visiting with Jacob for an hour we learned he is an Attorney that works in Honiara and he was only home for a holiday visiting family. He was educated in Port Vila, Vanuatu and is very involved in politics. He told us of the "Tensions" that took place in this area from 1999 to 2003. The conflict was between the inhabitants of Marau Sound and the Islanders of the main island of Guadalcanal. It led to many deaths and gave the Solomon's a black eye for visitors to this day. Talking to Jacob and the snorkeling we did after really helped my attitude and we had a great afternoon. We returned to the boat and watched a few more M*A*S*H episodes.

Today we plan to visit another Island by dingy where there are a few more villages and find a few more places to swim. We may leave tonight for Honiara, we haven't decided yet.

I will talk to you soon.

PEACE