Marau Sound, Guadalcanal

Field Trip at our new anchorage - the first yacht to ever anchor at this village!

We found a great spot where no other yachts had anchored before.  Mark went ashore to check with the chief that is was OK, and he was thrilled to have us near his village.  These friendships that are formed in smaller, more personal settings, have become dear to us.  Instant and deep connections are formed with just some one-on-one toktok and a few hours each day playing ball with the kids.

Margaret and little sweet Briana who loved “The Spies” (binoculars) 

Much of the area is a marine sanctuary, but we were thankful to find a small cut in the reef (thanks to those amazing satellite images!), big enough to allow sufficient swing room for us.  Turns out, we were the first yacht to ever anchor here, which made our experience even more special.  Francis and his wife Margaret moved to this small island during The Tension in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.  Many of the Malaitans who had immigrated to Honiara were kicked out at that time, because their huge influx into the city was causing issues.  Turns out, Francis’ family (one side) was Malaitan and had to find a safe place to live during the rebellion and violent uprising.  And here is where they settled.

Volleyball lessons and practice - a daily event!

The time we’ve spent with them has been wonderful.  Uno games, volleyball, soccer, a islet beach play day, fan weaving lessons, generator and sewing machine repair, and lots and lots of conversation.  Just sitting around, sharing stories and experiences, asking questions, and learning about each other.  They’ve been respectful of our desire for quiet mornings, not letting their kids come out to the boat until we’re finished with school, which has been so nice.  I’ve also realized that they have been keeping a careful watch on our boat - regulating the visitors and even being security guard when we are away at the market.  One afternoon we were playing with the kids in the village.  When we arrived at the beach to get into our dinghy, Margaret was standing under a nearby tree in the rain!!  She’d been put in charge of watching our dinghy to ensure the extreme high tide didn’t release the anchor!  I’m sure there are many more ways in which they’ve watched out for us and taken care of us behind the scenes that we are unaware of.

                                      Uno - a lesson in English colors and numbers… 

Francis asked Mark if we would please share our experience with other yachts, and encourage more people to come here.  They absolutely love the interaction and opportunities to talk and trade for needed items.  When we mentioned that we needed fresh produce, they sent word out to nearby villages.  We went from famine to feast, as canoes came bearing fruit and veg until we had to start turning them away!  We would not be able to eat it all fast enough!

Michael and Mark making Ratatouille from the local eggplant

Namson, Marlin, Gasper, and Helen as sand monsters!

Marlin and Helen posing for the camera