Solomons

Approaching the airstrip at Marau, at the southern tip of Guadalcanal Island.

Morris propels a dug-out canoe through the small islands of Marau Sound, Guadalcanal Island.

The entire population of Siwairuka Island lays out their freshly collected shells. Marau Sound.

Elkhorn sea moss (Kappaphycus alvarezii) is laid out to dry on Siwairuka Island, Marau. This “cash crop” will eventually be shipped to China, for use in food, pharmaceuticals and traditional medicines. Family Solieriaceae.

The villagers of Suhu village, Marau, gather for a photo. Notice that some of the children have blonde hair. Blonde hair is relatively common among Melanesians, although the allele that causes it is different from the blonde hair allele in northerly ethnic groups.

A typical Marau house, in Vutu village. Southern Guadalcanal has virtually the highest rainfall in the world, hence all houses must be built on stilts.

Two villagers standing among the roots of a banyan tree (Ficus sp.) in the jungle of Marau. Family Moraceae.

Simon examines Leptopoma woodfordi (Cyclophoridae) in the Marau jungle.

George from Suhu village climbs a tree to collect Neritodryas cornea (family Neritidae) near the Vilavila River, Marau. Although often thought of as a freshwater species, it is actually terrestrial.

Nothing is wasted: villagers use an old dugout canoe to grow Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa). Suhu village, Marau.

Villagers in Suhu bring marine shells to Simon’s house each day.

A necklace made from ‘rings’ of Oliva carnola. This is the shell money (‘hikahika’) of the Maliatian people of Guadalcanal and was used as currency until recently. It is still used as money on ceremonial occasions. The value is increased by adding more strands.

In the foreground is the terminal building for Marau, apparently...

Simon searches for snails in the jungle of New Georgia. Photo by Sikamoa Bea.

Sikamoa Bea, Simon’s trusty companion from Kiapatu village, New Georgia.

Sikamoa examines a large Tridacna gigas in Roviana Lagoon, New Georgia. This is a CITES Appendix II species.

Simon with the same Tridacna gigas. Photo by Sikamoa Bea.

These large rings are carved from Tridacna gigas shells. This is the shell money (‘bakiha’) of the Roviana people of New Georgia.

After WWII, much US military materiel was abandoned on New Georgia. This site near Kiapatu village is known as “the American Dump”.

A WWII hand grenade in the New Georgia jungle. This was an area of particularly intense fighting, and such relics are rather common.

The Peter Joseph Museum houses many WWII artefacts gathered from the adjacent New Georgia jungle. Human bones are stored here and repatriated periodically, under the supervision of an American or Japanese consul.

American helmets and water canteens at the Peter Joseph Museum. The museum also holds Japanese artefacts.

1940s Coca-Cola bottles in Kiapatu village. They are not biodegradable and are still easy to find.

It’s (still) The Real Thing!

Peppermint stick insect (Megacrania sp.), on a Pandanus leaf, New Georgia. Family Phasmatidae.

A Polynesian family in the Mataniko River settlement on Guadalcanal Island, close to Honiara. Conus gloriamaris can be found here, but the area is notorious for saltwater crocodiles.

Terebralia palustris (family Potamididae) are divided into small heaps in the Honiara market, with a purchase price “per heap”. Curiously, the specimens sometimes move from one heap to another!