Bishop Desmond Tutu In HONIARA

I finally found something to brag about. The one and only retired Desmond Tutu is currently here in Honiara Solomon Islands. Yesterday I went to listen to his speech in the launching of a Truth & Reconciliation Commission at the Lawson Tama Stadium. He is definetly an unbelievable human being. So much grace, humility, wisdom and magnetic inspiration. He talked about forgiveness, by balancing it as something not only of faith but also of ordinary relationships. How can God Forgive you if You yourself cannot forgive others . But by saying “sorry” or “forgive me, please” one can magically transfer the atmosphere in any relationship be it in any level from the intimacy of couples to impersonal encounters. It is fantastic. I always know that forgivess is a virtue, but I never realise its strength in healing and maturity. Its role in change and national reconciliation.

I am trully grateful to be able to sit in a crownd and listen to one of the most influential leaders of our time.  A rare sunshine of hope and glory for our dreams. Most of the audience were really taken by this person, most not expecting any charm but formal rigid speeches. But they got more and everyone appreciated it. Glowing while walking out of the stadium.

When the time comes for Desmond Tutu to leave the stadium, with his car waiting in front of the grand stand. The bamboo panpipers played out a lively beat for his depature. He was smiling his famous smile and dancing. His shoulders and hip shaking to the local sounds of panpipe and I can see that he can be anyones grandfather. This is a person who is wise and stronger because of the experiences from one of the most brutal human history ( South Africa) and he is here simply to share and encourage fellow humans that there is always hope, if we forgive and move on. God Bless Solomon Islands. God Bless Desmond Tutu. Peace.

Honiara Saturday Central Market

I know I’m beaking all the rules of blogging by coming up with something every week. The first rule of blogging is for an update blog. However, I think I flow with the nature of things and the essence of Honiara is that nothing is really ever on time. In a way it defines the whole atmosphere of things- unpredictable. Like the central market. I enjoy going there on saturday. Saturday in Honiara is known as market day. The crowd, the goods , sellers, buyers and those just hanging around there doing nothing or looking for troubles. Often my inspiration is in the spirit of the sellers, arriveing at the market to find their space often around 4 am in the morning and going around their business of making their products look attractive, discussing market prices and finding small narrow comfortable spaces to catch a few sleep before  business starts at the break of dawn when the market open its iron gate. Today feeling a bit down in the morning I went to get some fresh fruits and flowers at the market. Here are some colourful photos for you from Honiara central Market.

Ripe local mangoes in heap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local coconut brooms. Made in Solomon Islands

crowds & goods everywhere

Delicious melons on display

Fresh green capsicum pepper on displayMy favorite water lilies. These are usually picked straight from running streams and not commercial flower farms.

Varieities of bananas, green, yellow and orange

Flower sellers section of the market. Most of these women grow flowers in their backyards and then sell them every saturday morning. Colour ful and spiritually uplifting.

Until next time…Thats all for now.

Weekend Honiara Style Motu

IT is a favorite thing in Honiara during the weekends to get into the traditional style hot stone oven baked cooking well know in these parts as ‘motu’. The best thing about having motu on weekend is that not only is it delicious and takes one back to the soul of local Solomon Islands food, but you can also share with visiting friends and wantok who are forever popping up any time they like and also you go ‘wakabaot’ knowing that a big feast is waiting fro you hungry stomach when you return home. Classic! So I got some photos. For those of you who havent seen motu before , this is a step by step that tells you the activities involve in a motu ( its a household participant thing, one person cannot do it alone). For those of you missing motu food abroad….luk luk noma…

Gotta get coconut. What is a motu without coconut cream?Got coconut. Find a strong man in the house to husk the coconuts.

Coconut husked ready for scraping

Cocnut ready for scrapeScrape Scaper.

 

Scrape Coconut ... ready to be squashed to make creamy cream milk.

 

My humble motu ready to be lit.Motu on fire.Stones need to be hot hot.Fire died down and only hot ashes and stonesPicking out hot stones with home made tongs.Covering the motu with the food inside. Fish, slippery cabbage and sweet potato with coconut creamBonito before motuSweet Potatoe before motu

Starting Now March 2009

Okay. Im sorry its already March 2009 and I havent put up anything new in the post. Its a Honiara thing. March is when the New year fever really cools off and the list  of to do things looks like things you will never do in your lifetime. To start things off. What can be more interesting then random pictures of Honiara in my Sunday stroll.  For some of you who havent been to Honiara for a while there are some…slight changes of appearance.Small changes..okay see for your self.

Town Ground Rugby Stadium still in progress

Rugby Stadium Town Ground Physcial Structure. Work recenlty Stopped because of Workers strike.

Melanesia Pacific haus of Iron Bottom Sound Hotel is one of the new impressive building in Honiara. Its open date is unkknow although bilding looks complete.

The Town in full a good view from Vavaya ridge enterance road. My favorite road in Honiara.

View from Vavaya Ridge

Chinese Shops made up most of Honiara town

Colourful Chinese shops and the Favorite Kaleko Korperesion Xj6.

 

Okay enough shots for now..I promise to give you PEOPLE of honiara shots next…time. :p

Next President of USA- Inspiring…

I must write something now after listening to the next president of USA-Barak Obama-speech. I am not American, but I cannot help but feel inspired and emotional.
These Americans give a good election.Things movies are definetly made off. The congratulatory speech from Mccain is moving. I must say I admired the man for his strength. He also acknowledged the milestone that American has now come to reach, having elected her first African American President.
The Obama speech is powerful. He has alot on his shoulder. But his shoulder is the shoulder of a leader. And a great one too I hope. One thing for sure the longest campaign has come to the end. USA the most powerful country in the world has made history. A great change indeed. What does this mean for
the little Island of Solomon? I think it means we can also change. Although there is not going to be instant effects on the daily Islander let alone the complicated politics and struggling economy of our tiny country,
with this win it seems like change is coming. If a country as big as US can make such massive change, what is stopping us from standing up and believing as well?  Obamas win is contagious and I hope our people can be infected with it.

In his live speech after being elected president obama while thanking his supporters and the people of America to wanting the change, he also mentioned the big issues facing US. The reality for America is that the economy is in trouble, troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and the environmental and energy crisis are rising.
These problems are gloabal, whatever steps US is going to take, and lead, in tackling these porblems now I think will not only  affect them nationally but will also determine the international stage in each of the Worlds region.

I watched the campaign for a year, although I dont really understand US politics to the fullest, I know that one mans win is going to determine the direction of this worlds many challenges. When the winner was announced there was joy where I was, there were people congratulating, shaking hands and smiling, some even talking about a celebration party. This would have been normal if we are somewehere in US, but were  in Okinawa Japan, far away from our home countries, and none of the people in the crowd is American, we were from all the corners of the world, from Africa, South America, Middle East, Asia and Pacific. But we were all happy and joyous. If I need to know the worlds reaction to Obamas win I dont have to look far , I can see that the world is happy right in front of me.

I can tell that Mankind with the help of a change in the most powerful country in this world is going to take one more step into another realm of history soon.

President Obama Won! The World is watching!

 

Top 5 things I miss about Honiara

When you are in Honiara do it like they do. Complain and relax at the same, but you know things will be okay. When you are away complain that you miss complaing and relaxing in Honiara. But there are some very familiar things that I miss about Honiara. Of course we all miss things at home when going away, but maybe you miss the different things. Just for note,  I will always miss people, but that is what memories are for, Anyways so here is my list:

5. Motu Food-

Motu kakai. I miss. end.

4. Stori Stori

Stori stori until 4 am in the morning. Its not only the stori stori par but also the laughing and “spoilem” man. Even if there is work the next day.

3. Reading solomon star

Actually I cant believe this. I thought i would never say this but I miss reading the local newspaper.

2. Unexpected visit

Who in Honiara did not experience those unxpected visits? Oftens its your house or sometimes even yourself just feeling you havent see other people hop into the unexpected visit wagon. But if this happen consistently then its trouble.

1. Betel nut.

Meed I say much. I chew betelnut. Like only people in Honiara do. I miss it. End.

Exciting Okinawa

Halo Every Frens

I am faraway from Honiara. So I have been neglecting the blog simply because I cannot tell you any news since I am physically absence from the beloved town. Good Excuse ya. Okinawa on the other hand is exciting. I want to share two very interesting things with you all Honiara fans, just to get some inspiration. First of all Shurijo Castle. A rich place of Okinawa culture, slighlty or very different from mainland Japan history and culture. Fascinating in its reviving and the effort of Okinawa people to preserve a important part of their cutlure.

Shurijo Castle, Okinawa

 

Another fascinating thing more just for your intetrest or aspiration thirst is this: The Worlds Biggest Tug of War Rope. It weighs more thatn 27 tonne, 172 metres long and 1.5metre in diameter. Boys ae! Google it and you will see. I was there tugging with the rest of thousand of people in the middle of Naha citry Okinawa. Although my effort wasnt much needed so I rest after few seconds. But still something not seen everyday.

Until my next adventure I hope I can give you some insight into the world of Okinawa Japan.

Kurukuru We Hope.Nevermind.We Proud.

So here I am on foreign soil, but I can feel that nervous feeling of uncertain situation whenever there is a mention of Solomon Islands joining an international sporting event. Dont get me wrong I did not loose any sweat over the national olympic team to Beijing 2008. No no no. We are talking three words here. Soccer. Solomon Islands. FIFA. Enough to make one lokol man to become religious. Its not enough that there is a lot of hope from everyone. Dont let those side sea soccer games become nothing ya.

Photo Source:http://picasaweb.google.com/alabamadan/

Yes its the Solomon Islands National Futsal Team. Champion of Oceania Futsal. Kurukuru in Brazil for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2008. Seh! Even the Prime Minister is nervous and becoming religious farewelling the boys. Believe me there is not enough political luck dust from the handshakes to win any cup. The boys will have to get down to good old endurance, fitness and skills. Months of training and dedication must be paid off. Yep below is the pool table for the Brazil FIFA World Cup Tournament. I’m just going to skip this part and act in denial of the fact that our boys are in the same pool as Bra..Braz…iill..there I said it. Stop. You can get more info at the Oceania Futsal site.

Group A: Brazil, Russia, Japan, Cuba, Solomon Islands
Group B: Italy, Portugal, Thailand, Paraguay, USA
Group C: Argentina, Ukraine, China PR, Guatemala, Egypt
Group D: Spain, Czech Republic, Iran, Uruguay, Libya

Please don’t say and do that whatever-happens-we-are-only-there-for-experience excuse. I have heard enough of this from the Bilikiki. Let us just say that the Oceania Championship win is  enough experience we must believe we can kick some good Foot SOULS ya….But you have to see this video first for some realistic thinking though. Some strategy and strategy.

WARNING: This video is not suitable for Males over  the age of 25+ who tend to become emotional and depressed when National Soccer Teams get their usual beating overseas. Remember family is more important. Soccer is beside the point. Go heti!

So for your comfort before our guys meet the giants check out Futsal4all for massive information on everything there is to know about futsal and the FIFA cup coming up soon.

For after all I am turning religious too. God Bless Solomon Islands and Kurukuru.

Photo source: http://www.oceaniafootball.com

Away from Honiara

Hello people-who-care-to-read-this-blog. First: Sorry for no further updates since…a very long time. I was preparing for a overseas traveling. SO you see I’m not in Honiara for the time being but that does not mean I wont be putting up things shortly. The current trip is interesting enough to gather some inspirations and ideas for you. Not to mention some very nice humour about toilets..I promise this is a clean one.haha.geddit. Ok not enough head nods.. carry on..So…Leaving home was heart breaking you know.Usually the thought of leaving Honiara is so exciting that its not until you arrived at the Henderson Airport for the departure day you get to thinking and to feel cold feet about traveling..What do I want to leave home for? If anything happens to me overseas the Solomon Island government would never send a helicopter for me. But then one just have to board the plane and wave goodbye to family and friends. Yep.It is common to ge the whole tribe as farewell parties.Sometimes theres more people at the airport for good byes than people actually checking in for flying. I miss home already and I hope this blog will help me through the few months overseas.

Five Local Books of Inspiration

There are some inspiring books from local and international writers about Solomon Islands. These are just some of the few books that I have been inspired by while reading. International best seller books have always occupied our eyes but these ones have their own local and unique style that can only be found in this part of th world.

5. The Tambu Ground by Barry Hayes

Although this book is not really my cup of tea, it does have a certain touch that stepped away from the boundary that plagued many fiction writing in the Pacific region,  especially about intricate human, social and spiritual relationships in Solomon Islands society that the rest of the world are still unexposed to. I read this book while in senior form in high school. I was only into the third page when I put it down. Years later I took it up again ( thinking maybe I have developed some taste in literature) and was impressed.

4. Grassroots Art of the Solomons: Images and Islands
 Produced by Adrian Allen, then Director of the University of the South Pacific’s Solomon Islands Centre, in collaboration with Barbara House of the Solomon Islands Teachers College, Sister Claire O-Brien of Tenaru Catholic Secondary School and Les Tickle of King George VI Secondary School, Honiara.

I got a little interested in drawing art growing up and the first time I actually really read this book is when I took up Arts class in high school as well. This book has ever since been seen as a very important art and design book for post independence Solomon Islands not only because it is the first book( I think)  to make waves in preservation and development of  local and traditional arts, design and craft, but is also a book that many local artist, although not too thin to contain the rich ancient and historical art and design of Solomon Islands it has opened doors for local art movements who strive for own unique sense of creativity and to step away from the hype of Western dominance ideas of art and designing. I must find my copy again.

3. Raetemaot: Creative Writing from Solomon Islands edited by Julian Maka’a, Hilda Kii and Linda Crowl.

If you want to see the pattern of contemporary writing or just want to read a interesting book, this is one for ideas and inspiration. Its not that bad.

 

2. Civilized Girl by Jully Sipolo
If poetry is your thing than one must never overlook Jully Sipolo ‘Civilised Girl. There was a copy of the book lying around the childhood house growing up and I never really got into poetry but accidently read an exerpt of her poems somewhere and remembered the book.  The poems are just too true for me. There is the sense of timelessness. As if the poet had just published the book yesterday most of what she wrote still echoes in todays generation.

1. Guardians of Marovo Lagoon: Practice, Place and Politics in Maritime Melanesia by Edvard Hviding.

Okay this is not for leisure reading but to me is one of the most vital books apart from Judith Bennets Wealth of Solomons to be ever published. Academically oriented this book contains enormous amount of research and facts about one of the most interesting part of this country: Marovo Lagoon. Maybe I just find this book inspriring becasue it is based on my home islands or probably beause it took in a different in reflecting the Marovoans angle in telling the stories and lives of dwellers so well not like the passing wave of a tourist in a boat.

Alright so here is my small list. There are hundreds of books written by local writers or a written about Solomon Island out there. Will be happy to hear from others about books that inspire them written by Solomon Islander or about Solomon Islands.