What a year it has been…
Well it is almost a year since we left Brisbane town, and my hopelessness at correspondence has not improved. Still, I wanted to say hi to you all, tell you what’s been going on and start communicating again.
Solomon Islands
In May ’05 we headed to the Solomon Islands. I had a short contract to nurse for a company providing medical services to RAMSI (bit like a peace-keeping/government rebuilding setup). This was an extraordinary experience.
The Solomon Islands is a country of 900 islands with a diverse mix of cultures, complicated further by the introduction of Western religions and ideas. It is something of a melting-pot with ingredients at varying stages of change; some barely distinguishable from their initial form and others apparently totally transformed.
As a result of the recent ‘tensions’ between ethnic groups, the ‘islands lost in time’ were not quite as relaxed as one might expect a tropical paradise to be. Nevertheless, during our stay it was never got worse than a very slow simmer and we certainly gained a love and appreciation of the country and its peoples.
Work was fine. A full hospital had been arranged for army, police and other RAMSI staff, contracted by Aspen Medical (now famous for taking over the Caboolture Hospital emergency department). We provided everything from dental and GP services to operating theatre and intensive care! Most of the inpatient load was gastrointestinal infection or malaria. It was a very interesting team to work with (hi to all!). A highlight was a chopper flight to another island to replenish first aid supplies.
Patching up a pikinini on a village visit
Portable ICU and Operating Theatre
"Taem for guns hem finis nao!"
Aspen were good enough to provide accommodation at the King Solomon Hotel. Yes, staying in a resort was great, even with the burden deciding each evening where to dine. The staff at the hotel where so friendly and talented – seemed like each of them could dance as well as their regular duties. Traditional dance was a regular evening offering around Honiara. Maree even took some lessons.
Dining was fun, with a bizarre selection of restaurants including French, Japanese, Korean, “Chinesse Style”, and best of all, roadside chicken!
Whilst there we were able to get away for a few days to Maravagi resort. We won’t mention my panicked attempt to sink a canoe, but the few days of sitting, walking, snorkelling and general enjoyment was great. The photo below is my favourite, taken at the pier at dusk.
The other highlight of our stay was spending a day on the controversial Dolphin Island, where we were able to swim with and generally fall in with dolphins. Sadly, I hear this place has since been shut down.
Dolphins have the softest tummies!
(a few more photos are online here)
Quick return to Brisbane
We were then to have a quick stop back in Briz, which was extended somewhat by an unexpected drive to Canberra to replace a visa which from a passport which was accidentally washed…
Travelling
Then it was time to set off again. News of the London bombings had reached us at our farewell dinner in Honiara, so with a slightly tempered outlook we set of.
We stopped over in Bangkok (much visiting of tailors) and then arrived at 4am in Jordan, and promptly learned to drive on the wrong side of the road through the amazing desert landscape you can see in the background of this blog. We visited the stunning city of Petra and then spent a couple of nights at the sumptuous Marriott Dead Sea Resort, lapping up luxury and those unsinking waters. Our final night was spent under the stars enjoying belly dancer and shisha!
Petra
No right turn?
Then on to London
I was determined to be a tourist for my first few days, and we stayed at a fantastic hotel in Bayswater, taking in the sights. We then crashed at Myles’ place for a few weeks and moved to a lounge room in Mayfair! The lack of a decent shower got the better of us though and we eventually found a one bedroom place in Notting Hill. It’s nice to have our own space and we live near the Portobello Road Markets. And I haven’t bumped into Hugh or Julia once (thank God!).
Our place
And so here we are! London has been good and bad for us. I really enjoyed getting to feel the history of the place and fell in love with the British Museum. The work and money front has been more challenging. Working in UK hospitals can be pretty frustrating and agency nursing pay went down the week I arrived. Maree has had a very tricky time finding (paid) work in her industry. This all means funds are tight and so not much travelling has been done, and that’s why we came!
We have enjoyed visits from our family and had trips to Bath, Brighton, Lakes District and Scotland. Happily summer is coming, so our spirits may come up some more! We hope to still be living here for Carnival when hundreds of thousands dance in Notting Hill streets for two days of Caribbean fun.
Solomon Islands
In May ’05 we headed to the Solomon Islands. I had a short contract to nurse for a company providing medical services to RAMSI (bit like a peace-keeping/government rebuilding setup). This was an extraordinary experience.
The Solomon Islands is a country of 900 islands with a diverse mix of cultures, complicated further by the introduction of Western religions and ideas. It is something of a melting-pot with ingredients at varying stages of change; some barely distinguishable from their initial form and others apparently totally transformed.
As a result of the recent ‘tensions’ between ethnic groups, the ‘islands lost in time’ were not quite as relaxed as one might expect a tropical paradise to be. Nevertheless, during our stay it was never got worse than a very slow simmer and we certainly gained a love and appreciation of the country and its peoples.
Work was fine. A full hospital had been arranged for army, police and other RAMSI staff, contracted by Aspen Medical (now famous for taking over the Caboolture Hospital emergency department). We provided everything from dental and GP services to operating theatre and intensive care! Most of the inpatient load was gastrointestinal infection or malaria. It was a very interesting team to work with (hi to all!). A highlight was a chopper flight to another island to replenish first aid supplies.
Patching up a pikinini on a village visit
Portable ICU and Operating Theatre
"Taem for guns hem finis nao!"
Aspen were good enough to provide accommodation at the King Solomon Hotel. Yes, staying in a resort was great, even with the burden deciding each evening where to dine. The staff at the hotel where so friendly and talented – seemed like each of them could dance as well as their regular duties. Traditional dance was a regular evening offering around Honiara. Maree even took some lessons.
Dining was fun, with a bizarre selection of restaurants including French, Japanese, Korean, “Chinesse Style”, and best of all, roadside chicken!
Whilst there we were able to get away for a few days to Maravagi resort. We won’t mention my panicked attempt to sink a canoe, but the few days of sitting, walking, snorkelling and general enjoyment was great. The photo below is my favourite, taken at the pier at dusk.
The other highlight of our stay was spending a day on the controversial Dolphin Island, where we were able to swim with and generally fall in with dolphins. Sadly, I hear this place has since been shut down.
Dolphins have the softest tummies!
(a few more photos are online here)
Quick return to Brisbane
We were then to have a quick stop back in Briz, which was extended somewhat by an unexpected drive to Canberra to replace a visa which from a passport which was accidentally washed…
Travelling
Then it was time to set off again. News of the London bombings had reached us at our farewell dinner in Honiara, so with a slightly tempered outlook we set of.
We stopped over in Bangkok (much visiting of tailors) and then arrived at 4am in Jordan, and promptly learned to drive on the wrong side of the road through the amazing desert landscape you can see in the background of this blog. We visited the stunning city of Petra and then spent a couple of nights at the sumptuous Marriott Dead Sea Resort, lapping up luxury and those unsinking waters. Our final night was spent under the stars enjoying belly dancer and shisha!
Petra
No right turn?
Then on to London
I was determined to be a tourist for my first few days, and we stayed at a fantastic hotel in Bayswater, taking in the sights. We then crashed at Myles’ place for a few weeks and moved to a lounge room in Mayfair! The lack of a decent shower got the better of us though and we eventually found a one bedroom place in Notting Hill. It’s nice to have our own space and we live near the Portobello Road Markets. And I haven’t bumped into Hugh or Julia once (thank God!).
Our place
And so here we are! London has been good and bad for us. I really enjoyed getting to feel the history of the place and fell in love with the British Museum. The work and money front has been more challenging. Working in UK hospitals can be pretty frustrating and agency nursing pay went down the week I arrived. Maree has had a very tricky time finding (paid) work in her industry. This all means funds are tight and so not much travelling has been done, and that’s why we came!
We have enjoyed visits from our family and had trips to Bath, Brighton, Lakes District and Scotland. Happily summer is coming, so our spirits may come up some more! We hope to still be living here for Carnival when hundreds of thousands dance in Notting Hill streets for two days of Caribbean fun.
:: posted by Antony, Tuesday, April 18, 2006
1 Comments:
What a great sight/site! Proud to have been a part of your adventure! I finished a 3.5 month stint in Honiara in mid Feb, and each time I flew in the Puma I thought of you guys.
Sia
Shorty
Sia
Shorty
