Raintree Cafe

Australia Day

The tropics

The tropics is amazing - really interesting and often very beautiful.

My days are full of activities, new discoveries and lovely moments and conversations that I can share with colleagues. It is really fun.

Last night the Senior Medical Officer Marcus and I prepared dinner for the Aspen Medical Crew. After spending the morning shopping for groceries in Honiara, including a trip to the colorful local market in the afternoon we prepared the dinner together with the help of some friends. Marcus prepared a spicy entree (hot peppers, garlic, tomatoes), chicken con carne and a delicious Phillipino chicken dish and I slow cooked a healthy and yummy coconut chicken and red lentil curry. Served with jasmine rice and Sol Brew (local light beer).

We laughed, chatted and ate and then a few of us stayed behind and relaxed whilst listening to European music and opera. Ahhh.It was a lot of fun and a fabulous night.

During the week, equipped with my camera, a black and white print out of Suz's Google map of Honiara, and a sense of adventure (and determination) I took one of the Aspen medical cars to tour Honiara and locate the home Suz and her family lived in during the 1970's.

To my surprise I found it and fortunately as the current tenant was home, I was given a tour of the house and allowed to take some photographs to send to Suz and her family.

Food - The fruit is delicious, especially the limes - so full of flavour. Their is a variety of cuisine available, including some scenic seaside restaurants. Meals at the GBR are very substantial and delicous and because food seems to be a large part of everyone's enjoyment/socialisation here, we tend to eat a lot!

Climate - Hot. Very hot and humid. Been wearing 30+ sunscreen and Bushman Deet 80% at dusk. Yesterday it was stormy and rained all day. The rain cleared some of the heat. It was wonderful to be indoors and to see the rain and ocean from my balcony at the King Solomon Hotel.

Sport - I had intended to hire/buy a bike as I wanted to cycle to/from work and explore the island, but due to liability issues and personal safety, I've had to abandon that idea. Instead, I'm keeping active by attending Yoga and Pilates classes at the Heritage Hotel which is within walking distance from our Hotel/home; I've started running at night in our gym followed by a dip in the pool; been going regularly for long walks around the "circuit" and pass local villages with colleagues; last Sunday a group of us, went swimming/snorkeling in the local beach (apparently the area is a Mecca for divers as the sea has a lots of coral, tropical fish and old war debride); and next week I hope to be able to attend some gym sessions at the GBR base where we work.

Back to night duty at GBR.

x

Central Market, Honiara

Beauty

Rob Nash the pharmacist brought me these flowers today and had the "House-Mary's" place them in my room. I'm not sure what made me smile more, the beauty of their colours and presence in my room, or his generosity and thoughtful gesture.

Solomon Sunday

Swimming with the locals at Denegie Beach

Savouring the famous and delicious "road kill" with

(from left to right) Dr Jeff, Harold (Infection Control RN), Debbie (radiogrpaher) and Jules

"Road Kill"

Life on the island

Gradually gaining more insights into IT access in the Solomon Islands - Tomorrow I might make some inquires about buying a pigeon.

Slowly settling into life in the Solomon Islands. Despite the dense population and general services, Honiara is a Third World Country. In the evenings when we go walking around Honiara you can see how improvised, under developed and poorly maintained everything is. In the majority of cases, there appears to be a lack of pride or interest in public facilities, personal belongings and personal appearances. Similarly to Indigenous communities, their cars and homes are poorly maintained, their clothes are soiled by humid, dry and monsoonal conditions, and their oral hygiene is poor.

When we pass the villages the children greet us innocently and joyfully, with wide eyes, generous smiles, and enthusiastic waves. The women are often seen seated on the ground talking in clusters, tending to leaves outside their homes, washing clothes in the rivers or waking down dirt roads carrying baskets on their heads. The men are often seated in small huts or crouched beside a box on the side of the road, selling a few cigarettes and beatle nuts.

The Solomon Islanders that work alongside us at Aspen Medical appear diligent, gentle, humble people with beautiful faces and dispositions. They are appear so gentle, that it is hard for me to believe that human safety (especially for women) can be an such an issue here.

A few of my colleagues cycle to work, so I have been desperately trying to acquire a second hand bike to ride to and from work and to explore the island. However, despite my perseverance, I'm not having any success and now after talking to the locals, it appears that it is truly unsafe for me to cycle through the streets (especially alone or after dusk). Many have indicated unpleasant incidences could arise, that the locals can become uninhibited at night, intolerable and aggressive towards foreigners (especially if it comes to protecting their tribe or retailing). In the Solomon Islands tradiational beliefs in witchcraft, myths and legends exists alongside conventional religion and devotion.

Then there is the GBR - the base where I work for Aspen Medical - a microcosmos with completely different, interesting and insightful experiences. On the GBR base, there are mostly men - all shapes and sizes: tall well built handsome men (in uniform), middle ages chubby unfit men, lanky pimple faced naive (young boys) men. We frequently pass them whilst walking through the grounds on the base and sit amongst them in Mess Hall where we go to eat.

When I first met the Army Soldiers (Tonga, Australia, NZ, Pacific Island), Navy  Officers, and Australian Federal Police and Defence Officers, I kept thinking that these are the men that guard our nation and risk their lives for our Country. Initially I felt a little intimidated, but gradually I'm developing more fluidity in my interactions and less self conscious.

All in all an amazing an extremely interesting experience.

Aspen Crew

Jules & Dr Jeff sharing a glass of red wine at the Italian dinner at King Solomon Island.

Aspen Medical Manager 'Steve' & Primary Health Care Nurse 'Sue'

Our Radiographer 'Debbie', one of our Paramedics 'Shorty' & 'Steve'.

Pathologist 'John' & Anesthetist 'Joe'

The sporty dimension of Aspen medical

Senior Medical Officer & cyclist 'Marcus', Nigerian RN and runner 'Collin' & Paramedic and avid cyclist 'Paul".

Poetic

Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.

This beautiful image by Earth hour was introduced to me by an old friend Nick Kiousis from North Carolina, USA. Nick and I met whilst trekking/traveling through Nelson, NZ (2002).

Thanks Nick for sharing pure poetry.

Initial impressions

Solomon Island...

The people in Honiara are beautiful - softly spoken, gentle, open faces and have interesting features. When we walk along side them down the main street or pass their rustic villages and markets, they seem to look at us with amusement and fascination. And I feel like a voyeur who has entered their world and who is privileged to yield any insights into their culture and traditions.

I am having such an amazing experience.

Aspen Medical...

The Aspen Medical crew consists of international and national ICU Nurses, Anaesthetics, Surgeons, Pathologists, Pharmacist, Radiologists, Dentists and Dental assistants. One ICU Nurse comes from Nigeria, the Senior Medical Officer comes from Germany, and some GP's and Paramedics trained in NZ. Most professionals work concurrently in East Timor. It's quite a dynamic mix. Most professionals are well traveled and have expansive life experiences. Many of our conversation are very open, honest and stimulating.

This week there developed an alarming incidence of Gastroenteritis amongst the Australian Federal Police, Navy and Army at the base in Honiara. As a result Aspen Medical customised an emergency Quarantine ward staffed 24 hrs a day by a Dr, Paramedic and ICU Nurse to manage the care of these patients and prevent further contamination and for my first shift I was asked to be a member a Quarantine ward team. It was really fascinating to see the principles of how to operate within a mass causality or disaster response, translated into an efficient and effective multi-disciplinary operation. 

 

Life in Honiara...

This afternoon as I lay in the Hotels' outdoor pool gazing up at the clear blue sky through a canopy of tropical trees and earlier whilst sitting on my balcony sipping a latte and gazing out over the expansive Pacific Sea, whilst chatting with Dr J from NZ; I thought about how truly lucky I am to have the opportunity to experience all of this. I just can't believe it.

Solomons Island

Currently on a flight to Honiara in the Solomon Islands for a 6 week deployment as a Critical Care Nurse for Aspen Medical.

Whilst I've not been to the Solomon Islands before, I imagine that there will be some similarities between Tonga, the islands in the Carribean and there.

As I fly above the deep blue Pacific Ocean, fatigue from busy a week of preparations begins to dissipate and enthusiasm rises. No matter what happens, this is another fabulous opportunity to engage in a new culture and discover new experiences.

Arrival at Honiara Airport Sunday 1pm. First Impressions from the Aircraft.

 Even light rain can't obscure the locals enthusiasm as they eagerly watch the plane and the "new arrivals".

New beginnings

Above all find time to come home to yourself.

Swami Durgananda

New Years Eve

After a blissful day cycling along the Mornington Peninsula, playing in the sea at Rosebud, and lying on the hot sand with the water lapping around my toes as I read "Death Comes to Pemberley" by P.D James; Suz, Jamilla, Lee, Jeff and I prepared a beautiful alfresco dinner and then sat and watched Sex and The City The Movie. We were so content, that not even the fireworks could lure us outside.

How lovely it is to be happy exactly where you are and who you are with.

I am blessed.

Happy New Year Everyone... It' going to be a wonderful and memorable year.