Solomon Is: Christmas Stress in Gizo

Over the weekend i went back to Honiara, so that i surely had spare time and dont miss my flight on monday morning to Gizo in the western part of the Solomons. So yesterday morning i arrived with a small airplane in Gizo, which airport more looks like a bus stop, as its just made of a small office and a shelter for about 20 people. Baggage claim is from a trolley right beside the plane. :)



Japanese WW2 Missiles

I got picked up by the dive company and we left the little airport-island by motorboat. After getting the diving gear, some minutes later me and 2 other divers were ready to dive. First dive was a japanese transport wreck from WW2, where lot of tools and equipment like gas masks, ammo, toilettries and so on were still at its place.

 

Departure to Munda 5am

These days i feel little bit sick and i knew that diving can be very painfull with a blocked nose. Indeed, on the second dive i had problems getting down and 20 meters was maximum. But anyway, the second dive was absolutely unspectacular as the visability was for the trash.

Today its the 25th. Its christmas. Shops are closed here and from the streets i can hear the families singing and celebrating. Now im sitting in the guesthouse terrace, overlooking the huge reef and think about my schedule for the next few days. Actually my plan was getting somehow to Gatokae - the place in the east of the western province. Tried to find out this morning, how i can get there and asked many locals around here. But all the people know is "oh, sori, me na save" (no idea). Flight or Shipping offices are closed and in the lucky case the internet connects, it is slower than it was in year 1985.
All i found out that there are some ships with irregular and unannounced arrival and departure dates. And after hours of running around the town, searching for information and connection transports for getting out of Gizo, my decision is giving up that "Gatokae"-plan and instead going with the ship to Munda tomorrow at 6am. There i will try to dive and by the end of the week, im flying back to honiara. Next week Tuesday, january 2nd, i will fly to Vanuatu and I absolutely dont want to risk missing that flight.