Ysabel Province, Solomon Islands

The Climate Challenger anchored at Kia, Ysabel Province. Photo: Bernard Manus

Our trip through the Solomon Islands so far has gone well with great coordination by The Nature Conservancy’s ground coordinating team- John Pita on Ysabel and TNC staff in Honiara. The communities of Kia and Buala hosted us with great hospitality. We did our usual culture, conservation and climate change awareness presentations which were really well received and appreciated by both the people and community leaders of Kia and Buala.  In Kia the crew were able to meet the famous Rence Zama, ‘Home For Hawksbill’ movie star, and video interview some locals on climate change issues.

Climate Challenger crew pose with Rence Zama, ‘Home For Hawksbill’ film star at Kia. Photo: Manuai Matawai

The group also met Richard Hamilton and Glen Almany, marine scientists on Kia doing research on the hump head parrot fish. It has been a great experience for the crew to see new places for the first time. It has been a memorable journey so far that will never be forgotten.

The Climate Challenger departs Kia for Buala with Richard Hamilton on board. Photo by Manuai Matawai

On Buala, the crew were able to do a demo site for a dry stone wall next to Ivan Rotu’s place. We also left a copy of the dry stone wall video with Rotu for anyone interested. More than 50 people came to observe the walling demonstration. Manoi Ponowan also met with two people suffering from cancer and kidney stones. Manoi wasted no time looking around the forest searching for herbal medicine to treat the two patients.

Crew pose for picture, ready to perform at Provincial Government Office, Buala. Photo by Ivan Rotu

Climate Challenger crew build a 7 metre long dry stone wall on Buala as demonstration site for coastal protection. Photo by Manuai Matawai

Climate Challenger crew with Ivan Rotu and family after final stage of stone wall construction

We left Buala on Sunday afternoon around 5 pm crossing over the western tip of Ysabel. The weather was quite rough with thunderstorms but the moon gave us plenty of light to find our way. We arrived in Honiara around 3 pm. Willie Atu from The Nature Conservancy and the media team met us on the way and escorted us to the Honiara Yacht Club. The crew joined other TNC partners here in Honiara for the welcome reception dinner at the Sea King Restaurant. Yesterday, the team performed a cultural dance at the Honiara National Museum and will do more presentations this week including one for the Australian High Commissioner this Thursday night.

Manuai

Climate Challenger arrives at Honiara and crew pose with friend Jimmy Atu, son of Willie Atu – photo by Manuai Matawai

Joseph Ambou and Peter Ramohia thumbs up to celebrate safe journey through Honiara. Crew were hosted for dinner with TNC partners at Sea King Restaurant. Photo by Bernard Manus.

Climate Challenger dancers at Honiara Art Gallery/Museum.

Manuai introduces crew to public after cultural dance at National Museum. Photo by Bernard Manus

Bobo, Babase and Buka

We are now on Buka Island, well and in good health. It has been a risky, challenging and adventurous trip so far after completing almost 300 nautical miles (600 kilometres) from Manus to Buka before we leave home ground (water!) and head into international waters for the first time on this voyage.

New Crew Member

We left Lihir with an extra crew member – Bobo from Kavieng, whose parents are from Manus and Kavieng and who joined us for the Lihir to Buka leg of our journey. Sadly, he will be leaving us shortly to fly back to Lihir but wished to take up the challenge and travel with us on this adventurous voyage across the Pacific. You will find many of our photographs and videos were taken by Bobo.

Bobo joined the Climate Challenger from Lihir to Buka, Bougainville to experience the challenge of ocean voyaging life. Photo: Manuai Matawai, taken at Lif Island of the Tanga Islands group

Young Bobo getting some hands-on experience taking video. Photo: Manuai Matawai

Anir Island (Babase Island)

The journey to Anir (Babase) Island was rough, and we lost a box full of supplies containing axes and all cooking equipment overboard.

Molean Polin preparing sago for breakfast, a meal for a long journey to give us energy before setting sail from Tanga to Anir island. Photo by Manuai Matawai (taken before we lost all cooking equipment)

Climate Challenger crew enjoying our traditional Manus staples – sago and fish, for breakfast. Photo Manuai Matawai

We spent 2 nights at Anir (Babase) Island, and during that time, we played climate change awareness films, shared Mbuke Island’s climate change adaptation experience and of course performed our Manus dancing. Over 100 people came to watch and listen and villagers told us they have observed climate change impacts in their gardens.

The community of Babase had never seen a canoe as large as the Climate Challenger before, and several people wanted to buy it.  Manuai has promised to return at some stage after the trip and help them build their own one.

The young Anirians welcoming us to Anir (Babase) Island. The ocean looks deceivingly calm, but a day before it wasn’t so calm and we lost a box of supplies overboard in the rough sea. Photo: Bobo

Entertaining on Anir showing the Manus Way. Photo: Bobo

Matsungan Island, Buka Island, Bougainville

We arrived Matsungan island on Buka Island at 9 am on Tuesday. The team was greeted by the chief of Matsungan and welcomed to the island with the traditional practice of feet washing. Culturally, the washing of feet is supposed to bring luck to first time visitors to the island (and maybe wash away bad luck!). We had a short program in the evening where we gave awareness on climate change and showed off the Manus garamut dance.

Chief Tokome of Matsungan Island leads Climate Challenger crew to shore

A Matsungan woman washes the Climate Challenger crew’s feet as part of welcome initiation. Photo: Manuai Matawai

Crew welcomed by the Matsungan community. Photo: Manuai Matawai

Buka Town, Bougainville

We arrived Buka town at 11 am yesterday with a rousing welcome by the Manus community and Bougainvilleans. A refreshment was hosted by the Manus Community followed by a dinner hosted by Mrs. Josephine Manuai Nakin and family, a Manus long time business woman on Buka Island.

Young Bobo on Climate Challenger. Manus/Buka boat escorts Challenger to port. Background; vandalised Starship vessels. Photo: Manuai Matawai

Crew welcomed at Leta village, Buka Passage. Photo: Manuai Matawai

Bobo and Joseph testing out Buka’s giant sized betel nut. Photo: Manuai Matawai

We have been filming all of our adventures and encounters. It is really amazing to see the crew having no fear. Every day we strategise, reach consensus and act… The journey so far has made us more resilient, adaptive and innovative. It is a great experience for us. Sometimes, we give up hope when our prayers are not answered and we encounter rough seas, but then we have come to realise that it is all about testing our faith.

The challenge ahead is, ‘are we able to complete the voyage????’ Only the WIND will tell.