Solomon Islands SonShip trip 2005! - Part 1

First off, the majority of our team all met at Hillview church.


We had to have a max of 20kgs each, including hand luggage. This was a huge concern for me, because i wanted to take things to trade and had to take some extra things that didn't get sent over with the container! So, we all piled into the bus and a car and drove to Newcastle airport. However, before we'd even gotten past Cooranbong on the freeway Steph became really ill. We had to pull the bus over on the side of the freeway and dragged an unconscious Steph outside. We then put her into the car to see if she'd travel better that way. Turns out she didn't and had to be taken to the hospital. She had an allergic reaction to some cold and flu tablets she had taken. It was quite scary, she was screaming out in pain, couldn't breathe and would keep passing out! So Steph and her mum were at the hospital while the rest of us were at the airport (including her brother) hoping that they would be able to make it, considering the flight had been delayed. Turns out she was allowed to leave the hospital and they tried to rush to the airport, but wouldn't have made it in time only by around 15 mins. In the end they drove all night with Glynn to Brisbane and met us at the International Airport!

Meanwhile, we had flown from Newcastle to Brisbane and was staying the night at Springwood Church in the hall. We had to wake up nice and early the next morning to head over to Brisbane International Airport where our flight was once again delayed. So, after breakfast and some 'retail therapy' we boarded our plane to Honiara, the Solomon Islands.




After a nice flight we finally arrived!!! Honiara International Airport, and didn't we feel the temperature difference! You almost had to swim through the air!



Becky, Ruth-Ellen and Me looking rather hot but glad to finally be at the Solomons!



Once we'd cleared Customs (the customs officers lived across the road and just walked over when a plane would land, and then walk home again) we waited outside for each other. I was given a Lei by one of the ladies. We then piled into the "Taxi", which was the ADRA truck. We, being all 21 of us (plus some locals) and our luggage...



Once we'd dropped off our luggage where we were going to stay that night, we jumped back into the truck for a tour of Honiara. It was great fun sitting in the back of the truck, driving over all the pot holes. On the way up to the war memorial lookout, some locals jumped onto the back of the truck as we crawled up a hill. Ruth-Ellen and I wasn't too sure what to make of them!



Looking over Honiara from the war memorial.


Our first night in the Solomons at Honiara. The SDA youth put on a lovely program for us just a short walk down from where we stayed.



The next morning was a very early start (5am) as we had to head to the "Domestic Airport" to fly to Gizo. After sleeping in a room with Becky and Ruth-Ellen that had 3 beds and airconditioning we weren't feeling too bad.
The Honiara "Domestic Airport"...



After such an early start and no sign of food anywhere, we were not the least bit impressed to find out our flight had been delayed around 3 hours! Some opted to go for a walk, other sat (on the 6 chairs in the airport!), while some tried to sleep (on the floor).



When it did come time to check-in, we found out that there was some mess-up about the weight of luggage! But thankfully, we were all able to get our luggage onto the plane. First though, we had to weight our bags and then ourselves and our hand luggage! Now that was fun... And then, we continued to wait... and wait... and wait...