Getting out of the Office

Some weeks you just need to escape the stress and politics of the office. Good thing here is escaping the office takes on a new dimension and can be done in style.

Yesterday I joined the RAMSI Community Outreach team to travel to the Weathercoast of Guadacanal ( the other side of the vast and rugged Island that Honiara is on). While it is only 15 minutes flight from Honiara it is one of the most isoloted and "hardest" places in Solomon Islands and was the heartland of much of the ethnic tensions. The villages are sandwiched between a spectacular rough coast line and razor backed mountains.

We share with the community about our work with RAMSI and listen to any concerns or issues they have. Isolated they might be but the questions on the world economic crisis and the impact on Solomon Islands proves they are right up with the play and know what't going on in the world. Kept me on my toes too as I have to answer the economic qustions!!!!!!!

Was only a brief fly in fly out visit but a real treat for me.
Carl heads back to PNG today to do a week of flying around New Ireland/New Britain for a telecommunciations company. Hard to believe he gets paid for it really!!!

All dressed up and somewhere to go..in Honiara?

Yes..its a first. Sharron glammed up in a flash frock!!!!!
Last night we joined friends at the Annual Fundraising Rotary Ball themed James Bond Casino Royale. Both Carl and I were decked out in clothes from XJ6 ( 2nd hand shop) Was loads of fun, a night a great food, friends and dancing (me not Carl unfortunately) and I've decided I taken a liking to flash frocks now...so will have to keep my eyes open shopping!!!

Poppy's Class Assembly

This week it was Poppy's classes turn to perform at assembly. She had a pile of lines she had to learn and they did some great singing dancing numbers!!! Their teacher Mrs Payne is a music teacher so they have lots of fun with singing and dancing in class.
Just a couple of pics of Poppy and her friends.

Betsy , Azalea & Poppy - still best mates!!!


Class 3P


Poppy & Ayesha - the kiwi girls in the class

Cathy and Clay

Last night we enjoyed a special night attending our house girl Cathy's engagement party. We don't know Clay well yet as she has kept him pretty well hidden but he seems like a really nice guy and we are all looking forward to the wedding next Easter. The girls are going to be flower girls and Tobias the ring boy apparently!!

The big question of the night is 'do we have to pay a bride price??" Cathy's Dad Festus is a wonderful Christian man, His answer was "God gave Cathy to us as a free gift , so we give her to you Clay as a free gift"

The boys on a winning streak!!!

Tobias received a Principal award at assembly this week for his caring and compassionate nature at school. He stood very straight and serious like a little soldier in front of the whole school when being presented his certificate.

Not to be outdone Carl also won a competition this week - the parent's dancing competition at the school disco!!! I know it is extremely hard to believe. Nearly 18 years we have been married and I have really never seen Carl dance but on Thursday at the school disco Carl threw himself recklesly all over the dance floor to the entertainment of many and stole the prize for the best Dad dancer!!! Sorry no pics to prove it but it is all true!! Bodes well for the Rotary Ball we are attending next weekend!!!

Thurston's Flying Fox

Honiara has officially got its first flying fox. Carl the master of invention has built a fantastic flying fox that is giving hours of fun. We're getting lots of visitors turning up try it out!! Here's a movie of Millie zooming down the hill.

Playing Shop

Playing shops takes on a new twist in Honiara. I found Millie busy playing shops with Tobias - selling vegetables at the market!!

Republic of China Visits

The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a GOOD friend of Solomon Islands . The relationship serves both countries nicely. Taiwan gets SI advocating for their independence at the UN and SI gets lots of cash.

This weekend 2 ROC warships visited and opened up for visitors so we went along and had a look.