Three days of pain

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Tuesday's flight is postponed until Wednesday. I freak out, I don't have any more or enough $SI. The Lata South Pacific Bank (SPB) branch does not have EFTPOS, all savings and cheque accounts. ANZ have an ATM but they have turned it off! Finally, after lots of asking if people take credit cards (and give them back) I find someone to help me out.
Meanwhile the Solomon Airways agent keeps advising postponed flights, once for bad weather. It makes it hard to do anything when you have to keep in contact with the office in case a flight arrives.

On Wednesday, after noticing the map at the Luelta Conference centre I walk to a likely looking surfing spot called Nela. There I meet William Membuta.

Finally the airline says that the next flight it Saturday that means I can go surfing tomorrow, Friday. I arrange a car to take my board to Nela in the morning.

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Next: 2012/03/nela-session

Last surf at Kalabay

Monday
Early surf out in the canoe (boat) to get right out the back quickly and easily. Long wait for not many waves. Moved further in but not much there either. Storm approaching and worried about the three hour boat trip.
Decided to go back to Lata today to make sure that I connect with the flight early on Tuesday morning. Pack everything in a way that may best handle getting my bags wet.
Make it to Lata and move in to the Luelta Lodge.

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Next: 2012/03/three-days-of-pain

1st surf at Kalabay

Saturday

Flight in to Lata Airstrip from Honiara then a three hour "canoe" (see picture) trip east to Kalabay (Carlisle Bay).
See visitsolomons.com.sb/temotu-province-destination
Contact at Lata was Walter Talva and at Kalabay it was his uncle, Gabriel Tavakie

Afternoon surf at a spot I later found out was called Nave. The combination of the direction of the swell and the incoming tide meant that movement away from the break was a problem.
I quickly found out that the best surf forecast for the area is WindFinder
windfinder.com/forecast/santa_cruz_graciosa_bay

Next: 2012/02/meet-kalabay-kids