Perhaps the most striking aspect of  Solomon Island life is the reliance on canoes. This was no better demonstrated that during our stay in Gizo. The folks on the island had to paddle to every destination: School, work, market, etc.

Even in the best of circumstances the canoe needs to be bailed. Here, mom's busy bailing while dad paddles. You notice there's no outrigger on these canoes. The kids learn at an early age how to balance in these and they're out there on the water at an early age with their own canoes.

The Solomon Islands are known for their wood carvings, their stone carvings and their WWII relics. The stone and wood carvings depict sealife, human life and traditional sea gods and spirits. These items are outside the Gizo Hotel.

Scott in front of a traditional sea life wooden carving.

Here we are just having fun and cooling off at the Gizo Hotel.

Leda in front of a human form. Just having fun!!

I'm not sure Scott looks overly happy at the friendliness of his new best friend. However, these guys are here in Gizo to sell their stone carvings of fish and octopus and we were just the right buyers!

These new leaf houses have been built since the tsunami came into Gizo two years ago. Some of the government house up on the hill that survived have been reallocated for residential use, but there still isn't enough housing for everyone.

This man on the right is one of the officials (immigration, customs and agriculture or health quarantine) we had to check in with at the government building. He is getting water for his morning tea from a tank that collects rain water. Water is a constant problem in these islands (though this year it was raining all the time while we were there!).

After school the kids hang around the wharf which is also undergoing repairs from the tsunami. One of the local cargo boats is anchored out.

On the right are some of the other kids in uniform walking along the market area.

Some images from the market.

Some of the local people sell food and cigarettes in front of their houses. The cigarettes could be tobacco and/or kava wrapped in lined school paper.

This guy doesn't seem too happy about having his photo taken. You see Quest behind him in the anchorage.

The Solomon Islanders are very proud that they are the ones that rescued John F. Kennedy when he crashed during WWII. In fact, we met the grandson of the man who actually rescued JFK.

On the right is the cruiser bar named "PT 109" where we enjoyed many a cold brew and pleasant meal.