Guadalcanal; Tulagi Island, Solomon Islands
Battlefields, birds, beaches, beautiful reef fishes, BBQ - these were some of the single words that might sum up some of the day’s experiences. But the day was so filled with a variety of activities, sights, sounds, and memories that no single word can summarize any part of the day. However, for many the word Guadalcanal brings to mind World War II and the battles that took place and turned the tide of war. This large island and its surrounding waters were the scene of both sea and land battles in late 1942 in which US troops captured significant occupied lands from the already entrenched Japanese forces. Soon after the National Geographic Endeavour docked a small group of birdwatchers went inland to visit a forested area on Mount Austen. The high hill itself played a part in the war as the observation post of the Japanese who were trying to regain the airfield, although our group was mostly interested in finding local avifauna. They were not disappointed as many species were seen including some that were unique and found only on the island (endemic). The walking was refreshing as well and an opportunity to see some of the countryside.
Another group prepared for a dive during the morning. Their destination was one of the wrecked Japanese freighters sitting a short distance off Bodegi Beach a few miles out of Honiara. After the short drive it was merely to put all of the scuba gear on and walk into the water. The divers were treated to a wide variety of marine life growing on and swimming around the remains of this large ship.
The other group spent the morning visiting some of the nearby World War II locations. As it was Sunday the traffic around this capital city was quite light. Few people work on Sunday and it is a time to worship and rest. As an orientation to the area and to the history we first visited the US War Memorial sitting on top of a hill overlooking the north side of the island and Iron Bottom Sound stretching out to sea. Engraved on pink granite were the stories of the battles that took place around the island. We then visited Alligator Creek where the Battle of Tenaru took place. At the beach we hear from our local guides how this site had seen some of the bloodiest fighting between Allied troops fighting to hold onto the airfield and Japanese trying to regain what they had earlier lost. It was with the help of a Solomon Island hero, Jacob Vouza, that supplied the Allied troops with important information that allowed them to defeat the Japanese invading forces. The morning continued with other stops and finished at the ship as lunch was being announced.
In the afternoon we moved across Iron Bottom Sound to the island of Tulagi. This was the original capital of the country and it also was the area which received much attention and activity during the war. On a small nearby island the US had stationed some of the fast PT boats that harassed and patrolled the waters in the famous “Slot” between the islands. Another dive was organized on one of the deep wrecks found in the area while a snorkel boat was anchored off one of the reefs. A group also went ashore on the island and enjoyed strolling along photographing various scenes and objects of interest. The ending of the day was a very pleasant deck BBQ dinner as the tropical night surrounded us and bustling sounds of people discussing their day’s experiences.
Battlefields, birds, beaches, beautiful reef fishes, BBQ - these were some of the single words that might sum up some of the day’s experiences. But the day was so filled with a variety of activities, sights, sounds, and memories that no single word can summarize any part of the day. However, for many the word Guadalcanal brings to mind World War II and the battles that took place and turned the tide of war. This large island and its surrounding waters were the scene of both sea and land battles in late 1942 in which US troops captured significant occupied lands from the already entrenched Japanese forces. Soon after the National Geographic Endeavour docked a small group of birdwatchers went inland to visit a forested area on Mount Austen. The high hill itself played a part in the war as the observation post of the Japanese who were trying to regain the airfield, although our group was mostly interested in finding local avifauna. They were not disappointed as many species were seen including some that were unique and found only on the island (endemic). The walking was refreshing as well and an opportunity to see some of the countryside.
Another group prepared for a dive during the morning. Their destination was one of the wrecked Japanese freighters sitting a short distance off Bodegi Beach a few miles out of Honiara. After the short drive it was merely to put all of the scuba gear on and walk into the water. The divers were treated to a wide variety of marine life growing on and swimming around the remains of this large ship.
The other group spent the morning visiting some of the nearby World War II locations. As it was Sunday the traffic around this capital city was quite light. Few people work on Sunday and it is a time to worship and rest. As an orientation to the area and to the history we first visited the US War Memorial sitting on top of a hill overlooking the north side of the island and Iron Bottom Sound stretching out to sea. Engraved on pink granite were the stories of the battles that took place around the island. We then visited Alligator Creek where the Battle of Tenaru took place. At the beach we hear from our local guides how this site had seen some of the bloodiest fighting between Allied troops fighting to hold onto the airfield and Japanese trying to regain what they had earlier lost. It was with the help of a Solomon Island hero, Jacob Vouza, that supplied the Allied troops with important information that allowed them to defeat the Japanese invading forces. The morning continued with other stops and finished at the ship as lunch was being announced.
In the afternoon we moved across Iron Bottom Sound to the island of Tulagi. This was the original capital of the country and it also was the area which received much attention and activity during the war. On a small nearby island the US had stationed some of the fast PT boats that harassed and patrolled the waters in the famous “Slot” between the islands. Another dive was organized on one of the deep wrecks found in the area while a snorkel boat was anchored off one of the reefs. A group also went ashore on the island and enjoyed strolling along photographing various scenes and objects of interest. The ending of the day was a very pleasant deck BBQ dinner as the tropical night surrounded us and bustling sounds of people discussing their day’s experiences.
