The Native Iowan

So, after a 5am wake-up, a 6am taxi ride to Henderson and the 7am takeoff then the standard hour and half flight to Nusatupe, I’m sitting in Gizo enjoying the view(s).

It is an overcast/ haze filled morning. Can’t see more than 5 NM. The seas are dead flat. Rain is in the air.

The reef below the house is telling of “weather to come”. It smiles serenely but promises vicious action in the not too distant future.

I have to do a run to Liapari. Am looking at doing it tomorrow morn. That way I can hang out here at the pad now, and watch the world go by from the verandah(s).

Some of you have visited this pad. I think all that have stayed here will agree it’s a special spot…

Built on the spine of a ridge, 10 foot off the ground. Verandahs all around. You get 300 degree ocean views. You can see Kolombangara, Choiseul, Vella, Rannonga, Simbo, The Gizo lagoon, The Vona Vona, New Georgia, Rendova… I guess the only island group you can’t see is the Shortlands.

This place got badly damaged in the 07 earthquake that hit Gizo @ 8.1 on the Richter scale…

I still want to spit when I come back and see how poorly the dern insurance company fixed the place up.

But it’s livable again and a great spot, still.

I have all the sliding doors open and it’s like being outside as I sit here and enjoy the breeze.

Have left the cable for my new camera at home. Will not be able to connect until Sunday so I’ll be the shutterbug as I run and continue the pict filled story, after I get back to the big mango.