We entered Solomon Islands at Lata and had an extremely pleasant entry. We didn’t even get a celebratory passage completion rum before the Customs and Immigration turned up. There were many forms to fill in, but the process was completed in half to one hour. They saw us coming in and so came over to check us in. Not much to do here, but everyone was pleasant.

We then headed for Sana Ana. This was a wonderful experience with the local community. The kids were fun and great. But still, after two days of constant visits to the yacht, we asked them to let us rest and they did. Chief John is a wonderful, friendly guy.

Then we sailed to Tavinipupu resort/island.

Warnings about theft

Here we were warned that mainland people steal from yachts – so remove everything from the deck. What a hassle! Every evening we packed away all drying clothes, water butts, snorkel gear etc. etc. and left the cockpit light on all night.

On the second night (November 18, 2023) at about 0500, we had an unwanted visitor who put their arm through the porthole and stole a deodorant. My cellphone was right there too, but luckily he missed that.

I was woken when he knocked the can against the frame and so I shouted and he disappeared. By the time I got on deck, he had gone, so he could only have gone to the resort island or local family “village”, and not the mainland where we were told the trouble makers came from.

Unpleasant cruising

This is not a pleasant way to cruise – the constant packing away and fear of what might happen. It’s such a shame that there are such people who feel they have a right to other’s gear.

We have spent two  years travelling from Eastern Caribbean to here and this is the first time/first country that this has happened. I suggest for a good night’s sleep and not supporting these thieves or the local communities that don’t sort this issue out, that these places should be avoided. I hope the rest of the Solomon Islands will not follow this area’s example.

Shawn Dear