Stepping off the jet in honiara, often it is like walking face first into a warm, wet, sack. You start leaking immediately pretty much. Then there is the controlled nonchalant 50m dash to be the first to get in to the queues for clearing immigration, then waiting waitingwaiting for your bags (pleasebeherepleasebeherepleasebehere), then past the last obstacle, the baggage check (concentrate on looking innocent, open, friendly and not at all surreptitious), then out and getting mugged by 500 taxi drivers vying for your business. By the time you have done all this, your clothes are dripping (from the sweat people, shheeesshh, really), and getting into a car even with an asthmatically wheezing air con unit is sheer bliss!

Stu is right about getting slammed with the heat .We waited on tarmac at Auckland while plane was deiced so were dressed appropriately ,getting off at Honiara was like hitting a brick wall of heat .The wife and I made a promise that next time we would have a pair of shorts and a singlet in our hand luggage next time and get changed on the plane before touching down .Running round Honiara in jeans ,and warm shirt ,shoes and socks is not fun 

You get that DVD yet Bazza?

More the merrier mate, no worries.
Immigration, don't talk to me about &%^$(#&%$^%$(# immigration... but yes, I think we have it sorted out. The main thing was the attitude of the Uni, if they had refused admission without full visa then we'd have been screwed, but they accept students with pending visas, whch is what Phyllie will have after submitting the medical tomorrow. Boy, it'd be so good though if only the plonkers would tell you these things....(immigration I mean, not the uni, who were helpfullness and support personified)

Anyhow... be very cool if your Bro can come too... here's hoping.
cheers,
Stu.

At least you will get a basic idea of what the place is like now.... too lateto change ya mind now, nyarh-har-har!

Had major issues sorting out a student visa at the last moment, so this whole week was custard, but I am heading up there again next tuesday, could meet you.... ummmm... say Manukau FCO? Or somewhere else I guess, and I would be only too happy to give you some pointers.
Gourocks are shifting everything out to Cookes in East Tamaki, so all their stuff is now packed in boxes awaiting unpacking and installation in the new show-room there, when they get the chance, which may be a few months!
The sand flats are actually just around the corner, not right at the feeding station for the little blacktips :-) .... as I am sure you will find out for yourself when you get there :-)
The big mantis shrimp were females in berry, so I made her put them back, much to Jennos disgust. :-)
I will contact you on monday to tee-up when I am gunna be up there eh?
cheers mate,
Stu.

Not long now and you guys will be jetting off to nice warm weather....

Hope you have an awesum time which after looking at the last report you surely will..

Look forward to your report Bazza

Sweet--sounds good mate... A teams comp type of thing sounds like is going to make for a bit o fun

Bit far to send Sollies oysters in frozen sea water via the mail huh Bazza..

Have an awesum trip all

bazza wrote: smelli wrote: Sweet--sounds good mate... A teams comp type of thing sounds like is going to make for a bit o fun Bit far to send Sollies oysters in frozen sea water via the mail huh Bazza.. Have an awesum trip all   Thanks Daryl   No I would not hold your breath waitng for any oysters in the mail mate ........ or from the usual domestic source for that matter as last time out on the Kaipara they had all but been wiped out by that virus that is decimating the commercial farming.   Hmnn .... a team contest would be a bit of a worry unless I manage better than yesterday ie only two legal snaps & about 7 or 8 babies. Mind you should have known better than go out in a SE but unfortunately has been a Hobsons' choice situation of late in that regard & for a bit longer yet according to forecasts.

Thats no good with your oyster supply Bazza,hopefully it recovers soon for you mate.

Im sure the weather will be 100% better over there and you might not want to come home.

Or else you and the crew will just go straight from the Sollies to Grant Dixon's Samoa trip..