Farewell Taro

Climate Challenger back in the water with additional features ready to commence sailing. Pix by Manuai Matawai – 11/10/12

Our last day in Taro, Choiseul Island (Solomon Islands) was a busy day for us, making use of every hour to catch up with canoe work and spreading awareness on climate change before we departed for Wagina. We had a wonderful reception on Taro. Our deepest gratitude goes to Jimmy Kereseka and his family for taking care of our logistics and looking after the crew for almost a week here on Supizae Island. Also thank you to the Premier of Choiseul Province and friends for their support and hospitality.

Climate Challenger skipper Manuai Matawai presenting awareness on climate change and canoe voyage to students of Choiseul Bay Secondary School – photo by Jimmy Kereseka. 10/11/12

Climate Challenger crew – from left to right – Manoi Ponowan, Pokakes Pondraken and Pakop Samol relaxing after garamut dance at Choiseul Bay Secondary School in Choiseul Province. Photo: Jimmy Kereseka -10/10/12

During our time on Supizae Island, we did three awareness shows; Taro, PoroPoro village and the last night at Choiseul Bay Secondary School.  It was a ‘Manus Way’ style show- garamut drum dancing, a brief on our canoe voyage including the objectives, then followed by climate change awareness answering questions such as “what is climate change?”, “how is it caused?”, and “what are the impacts and what can we do about it?”. Bernard Manus from Mbuke Island presented a case study of his island followed by playing the Mbuke/Whal climate change video documentary.

It was great to have Robyn James, the project manager of The Nature Conservancy’s Climate Change Adaptation project present with us and to witness and support our performance on Taro and last night at the school. Robyn commented that “climate change is thought about in Australia where I am from, but the concept of linking culture, conservation and climate change is exciting and much more interesting than learning from a book. I hope that your crew can one day come to Australia to share your culture and lessons about climate change with people there”.

Pokakes Pondraken doing final touches on Climate Challenger before going into the water – photo by Manuai Matawai – 11/10/2012

We have updated the itinerary for while we are here in the Solomon Islands:

Proposed Itinerary

ETA = Estimated time of arrival

ETD = Estimated time of departure

Friday 12/10/12

ETD Taro at 9.00 am for Nukiki village (4 miles from Supizae, the team will present awareness on Climate change/Manus dance etc).
ETD Nukiki at 4 pm  for Wagina.

Saturday 13/10/12

ETA Wagina 6 am (awareness connecting culture, conservation, climate change).

Sunday 14/10/12

ETD Wagina at 1 pm for Arnavons.
ETA Arnavon Islands at 4pm (free time, team will visit management site).

Monday 15/10/12

ETD Arnavon Islands at 8 am for Kia.
ETA Kia at 12 pm (awareness connecting culture, conservation and climate change).

Tuesday 16/10/12

ETD Kia at 7 am for Buala.
ETA Buala 8 pm (awareness connecting culture, conservation and climate change).

Wednesday 17/10/12

ETD Buala at 8 am for Honiara. Might do awareness on the way.

Thursday 18/10/12

Arrive Honiara, time dependent on weather conditions.