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anthp

Solomon Islands

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They look good Drew - thanks for that.

 

Freediving eh? I'm working on Enzo's build - at least around the tummy! :)

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Enzo in the movie (Jean Reno's lardo?!? merde mais non!) or the real Enzo Maiorca? Isn't he like 80 now? If you aspire to duplicate an 80 year old's tummy...weellll.... :)

A few months in the Solomons eating basic food should do any weight control diet good.

You may also want to bring some silica gel and a air tight dry box for the electronics.

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Folks are concentrating on antimalarials which is good, but I would also have on hand an initial supply of a broad spectrum antibiotics (maybe two) like Cipro and Bactrim - these can be very valuable in the case of things like 'Montezumas Revenge', and even life-saving in the case of things things like staph infections. Again your local docs should be able to help you out.

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Out of the Brunton's, if you have the resources, I'd suggest the SolarRoll 14 and you can always chain two or more together for additional power. Being able to make the most out of the suspected few clear bright sun days you will have inbetween overcast or rain days may make a difference? Everyone else is spot on about a medical kit being a priority. Have a great adventure, stay healthy. Cheers.

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Thanks Wags! - Yeah, I reckon the diving could be pretty awesome. Not sure whether we'll have any capacity though. ......

 

hey Anthony, sounds like the chance of a lifetime, I'm sure you'll make the most of it.

 

I've got one of these 12V hookah units called a Powersnorkel. You could recharge it via solar during the week (while your working :) ) and have a dive on your time off on the weekend :lol:. That will only work if you can keep track of the days of the week though :) . tally marks on a coconut palm maybe....

 

The one I have is the Powersnorkel which is basically a floating compressor, good to 12m. They do a more powerful one (1 diver to 25m, 2 divers to 12m) but it is designed to work off the deck of a boat. It is still quite small, so you could always take a small plastic blow-up boat and put it in that.

 

darren

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Enzo in the movie (Jean Reno's lardo?!? merde mais non!) or the real Enzo Maiorca? Isn't he like 80 now? If you aspire to duplicate an 80 year old's tummy...weellll.... :)

A few months in the Solomons eating basic food should do any weight control diet good.

You may also want to bring some silica gel and a air tight dry box for the electronics.

Umm - probably more lardo than svelte I'm afraid. Honeymoon decadence may have got the better of my waistline. :lol: Dry box is a great idea. Some sort of plastic food storage box would probably suffice I assume?

 

Good luck Anthony!

 

Alex

Thanks Alex - looking forward to seeing more of your Aussie stuff when it gets into print. From what I have seen so far, you've tackled Australia with your usual unique eye and perspective - very cool.

 

Folks are concentrating on antimalarials which is good, but I would also have on hand an initial supply of a broad spectrum antibiotics (maybe two) like Cipro and Bactrim - these can be very valuable in the case of things like 'Montezumas Revenge', and even life-saving in the case of things things like staph infections. Again your local docs should be able to help you out.

Thanks loftus - will ask docs about Cipro and Bactrim when we go - I think we've already got some Cipro from previous adventures, but probably better to get some fresh.

 

Out of the Brunton's, if you have the resources, I'd suggest the SolarRoll 14 and you can always chain two or more together for additional power. Being able to make the most out of the suspected few clear bright sun days you will have inbetween overcast or rain days may make a difference? Everyone else is spot on about a medical kit being a priority. Have a great adventure, stay healthy. Cheers.

Thanks Paquito - the SolarRoll does look the part...

 

I wonder whether anyone has any comments comparing it to the Solaris 26?

 

The Solaris puts out more watts, but it is unclear whether it is as robust and weatherproof as the SolarRoll. Nobody seems to sell them down here, but I haven't looked to hard yet...

 

That will only work if you can keep track of the days of the week though :) . tally marks on a coconut palm maybe....

That reminds me actually...

 

Anyone got a suggestion for a watch?

 

I currently use my mobile phone which obviously won't be much use on Tetepare. Would be nice to have something waterproof to cope with all the rain. Something reliable, maybe dive capable and not too pricey??

 

The one I have is the Powersnorkel ...[snip]

Wow! That is so cool Darren! Thanks for such a great idea. We'll keep it mind.

 

We'll probably end up paying mucho excess baggage fees already, but I'm tempted to try to squeeze on of these in. The price might be a bit of an issue for us though ;) Still, it is great to know solutions are available. Thanks.

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Hi,

I went to Tetepare Island this past summer to do some exploratory diving with the Rangers (in their lovely Canadian Park Ranger uniforms), but as yet they had no diving equipment or compressor. There seemed to be a lot of damage from either storms or the tsunami. Hopefully things will be settled down a bit. Here's a teaser from down the road and one of Tetepare.

Cheers,

Marli

post-1116-1203569869_thumb.jpg

post-1116-1203569961_thumb.jpg

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Anyone got a suggestion for a watch?

 

Ask the remarkable Brad Norman.. he must have a spare Rolex submariner by now.

 

We'll probably end up paying mucho excess baggage fees already

 

Looks like the KOKOPO CHIEF is one of three ships that do the regular Melb- Honiara run.. they could take all your big heavy stuff, even if it got there after you.

 

Will you have a boat?

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Hi,

I went to Tetepare Island this past summer to do some exploratory diving with the Rangers (in their lovely Canadian Park Ranger uniforms), but as yet they had no diving equipment or compressor. There seemed to be a lot of damage from either storms or the tsunami. Hopefully things will be settled down a bit. Here's a teaser from down the road and one of Tetepare.

Cheers,

Marli

Wow Marli! That is fantastic that you have been there! Will have to ask you some more. As I understand it the island suffered during the tsunami, so that may have been what you witness. Apparently it is on the mend now, but we should be able to report in more detail soon. Would love to see more photos if you have them. Certainly haven't seen anything as beautiful as the two you just posted. Got any UW shots?

 

Ask the remarkable Brad Norman.. he must have a spare Rolex submariner by now.

Looks like the KOKOPO CHIEF is one of three ships that do the regular Melb- Honiara run.. they could take all your big heavy stuff, even if it got there after you.

Yes, will see if Brad can lend me his fancy Rolex. BTW - how would we go about getting stuff on the KOKOPO? ;)

 

Will you have a boat?

Yep. Two in fact. One with a 15hp and one with a 40hp.

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....how would we go about getting stuff on the KOKOPO? ;)

 

Need not be that ship in particular... but talk to Seaway agencies www.seaway.com.au they should be able to help. If you get nowhere with the Melbourne Office, drop me a note and I'll give you my contact in Brisbane she has always been very helpful. Looks like they are agents for Sofrana.

You are looking for LCL (Less than a Container Load) shipping. They may drop off at other islands closer to where you will be, so ask plenty of questions.

 

darren

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It wasn't very productive for U/W photography, as visibility was in the 5-15 foot range. I saw shrimp gobies, pipefish, a few orange-fin anemonefish, some chromodorid nudibranchs, whip gobies, an old giant moray, and this guy, who seemed to need something to clean. I'm sure you'll find some interesting stuff. Take a macro lens.

post-1116-1203692065_thumb.jpg

 

Cheers,

Marli

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Hey Anth - congrats on the Solomons posting!

 

... and event bigger congrats to you and Michaela for you recent wedding !! ;)

 

Sounds like Tetepare will be a great adventure! when will you get there?

 

Anyone got a suggestion for a watch?

 

if you can't find a rolex you like (happens to me all the time) these can be real handy

 

... of course you might want the guys version :lol:

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Need not be that ship in particular... but talk to Seaway agencies www.seaway.com.au they should be able to help.

What a great suggestion Darren! Thanks so much for that. Will definitely look into it. :(

 

It wasn't very productive for U/W photography, as visibility was in the 5-15 foot range. I saw shrimp gobies, pipefish, a few orange-fin anemonefish, some chromodorid nudibranchs, whip gobies, an old giant moray, and this guy, who seemed to need something to clean. I'm sure you'll find some interesting stuff. Take a macro lens.

post-1116-1203692065_thumb.jpg

Thanks for the tip Marli. Really looking forward to it. Love your cleaner.

 

Hey Anth - congrats on the Solomons posting!

 

... and event bigger congrats to you and Michaela for you recent wedding !! ;)

 

Sounds like Tetepare will be a great adventure! when will you get there?

if you can't find a rolex you like (happens to me all the time) these can be real handy

 

... of course you might want the guys version :lol:

Thanks Leander - really appreciate the kind words and the suggestions. Those ripcurl watches look cool!

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yeah, I'm lovin mine :lol:

 

I'll be diving in Gizo/Munda in April ;)

will you guys be there already ? ... funny to think you'd be a few islands away :(

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I'll be diving in Gizo/Munda in April ;)

will you guys be there already ? ... funny to think you'd be a few islands away :lol:

Well, as it happens, we are flying into Honiara in late April and should be at Tetepare around a week later. When are you in Gizo/Munda?

 

And btw - now you are following us! :(

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Anthony,

Congrats on your posting. It will be a shame not to be diving at will.

If your interested in a small compressor send me a mail.

Peter

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I'm looking to be there in the first three weeks of April :lol:

 

And btw - now you are following us!

 

LOL .. its a race ;)

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Congratulations on what sounds like a super opportunity.

 

Drew's 2nd post on anti-malarials is right on the money. I don't know anyone who lives and works in malarial areas (PNG, Indonesia) who takes antimalarials in prophylactic doses long-term, and it's not just because of the cost. But you do need to have anti-malarials on hand to treat you if you do contract a case. Consider including Larium (Mephaqin) on the list. It has some nasty side-effects and should never be considered for prophylaxis, especially while diving, but it is said to be the most effective treatment against some forms of fulciparum malaria - the kind you need to worry about most.

 

I would suggest you spend a good long time with your doctor working out the contents for your med kit and also procedures you might need to know how to do yourself. If your doctor isn't completely up on tropical medicine, a consult with a specialist might be worth while. Insurance with medical evacuation cover will also be important. DAN will take care of that for diving accidents, but their coverage doesn't include non-diving accidents or illness. A serious manual on first aid and wilderness medicine should go on your list. If you and your partner haven't done a good course first aid and CPR, or haven't done one recently, now might be a good time for doing that.

 

Look into whether you set up an arrangement with your doctor (or someone new) wherebe he/she would be available to consult via email or phone to help with diagnoses and treatment. It will be much easier to set up this arrangement and work out an understanding about how the payments for consultations would be handled now than to try to organize something after you or your parter are sick.

 

If you pm me your email, I'll send you a "work in progress" spreadsheet covering a lot of meds that might be useful for you, including summary information on dosages, ADRs (adverse drug reactions), conflicts with other meds, etc. It might be a place to start when you're talking to your doctor about putting your own med kit together.

 

Edited by Moderator

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Robert I modified your post to remove your email. Programs can grab your email so you will suddenly be a candidate for viagra, cialis and Photoshop while shopping for fortunes in Africa.

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Drew,

 

Thanks for watching my back. I don't mind the ads for viagra and cialis or the interesting letters from my fabulously wealthy new friends in Nigeria who I'm going to try to help get their money out safely. But I hate getting those junk mails from Apple and Adobe.

 

Seriously, I've found Anthony's email address and will send him the file.

 

Robert

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