Road trip!

a_loveless_gem

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 13, 2002
Messages
1,759
Purraise
1
Location
Australia
This is the current travel advice for the Solomon Islads from the Australian Diplomatic and Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Current Travel Advice as of February 18, 2004

Can I also point out that it is still cyclone, (hurricane) season until April for you travellers? And there's been quite a bit of cyclonic activity so far.

*Sits under a palm tree drinking cold Coconut Juice waiting for arrivals*

Surely you didn't all think I would trek to the SPAM Museum and then sail for the Solomons when the Solomons is so close to Australia?
 

wellingtoncats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
36,207
Purraise
24
Location
Wellington City, NZ
I am SO sick of Spam & Coke.. I never thought I would say that!
Anyone got some ice-cream?


The Solomons! Yay, we studied them last year. Did you know that only 11% of the islands have access to real toilets? My good friend Steph from school, was born there and so were her parents and siblings, she's told me all about it.
I'm ready. Acorn seems to have wondered off someone with Sasha..


PLEASE tell me something dfferents on the menu tonight!
 

a_loveless_gem

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 13, 2002
Messages
1,759
Purraise
1
Location
Australia
Let's see what I have.

Hmm, well plenty of ice cream that esky. *Rummages around*

Water is located in that larger esky next to the ice cream.

Hmmm...we do have the option of fish, (I'm sure the kitties will appreciate that), vegetables, fruit, plenty of coconuts and coconut milk and of course mud crab....mmmmmmmm. I LOVE mud crab. Try the local meat at your own risk though, it's not too good.

Solomon Islands Dining

Anyone up for chilli mud crab? Or course I can also prepare a much milder serve of garlic mud crab.
Or we could locate a local resaurant somewhere.

Local Restaurant, Sure hope it's close by

*Tosses Sam an ice-cream* It's chocolate. Hope it's ok, if not swap it for another.


Oh and before I forget...have you all got your anti-malarial medication?

Solomon Islands - Travel Tips
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #84

mr. cat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
1,848
Purraise
1
Location
Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.
Thank you, a_loveless_gem, for that great information! Anyone who hasn't had all their shots should report to their respective ship's nurse or surgeon right away.



WellingtonCats, I'm confident you'll find the cuisine to your liking. I'm growing tired of SPAM, too! My, but a person can work up quite a thirst in these latitudes.



Here are some scenes from nearby:


Dr. Robert Ballard (standing center with hat) and colleagues during search for wreck of PT-109


Wreck of U.S. Navy F6F aircraft from Second World War


Wreck of Imperial Japanese Army tank from Second World War


Masks


Ancient indigenous burial place



=^..^=
 

coco maui

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 18, 2002
Messages
1,773
Purraise
1
Sam,
Sasha and Acorn are off picking out their HULA skirts for the luau

Then they are going fishing to bring us the fresh catch for dinner tonight! They should be back in a couple of hours


Fish and Ice Cream! Yummy, anything is better than all that Spam!



Here is the song we can sing tonight at the campfire



Aloha `Oe - words and music by Queen Lili`uokalani

Ha`aheo ka ua i nâ pali
Ke nihi a`ela i ka nahele
E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko
Pua `âhihi lehua o uka

Hui (Chorus):
Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again

`O ka hali`a aloha i hiki mai
Ke hone a`e nei i
Ku`u manawa
`O `oe nô ka`u ipo aloha
A loko e hana nei

Maopopo ku`u `ike i ka nani
Nâ pua rose o Maunawili
I laila hia`ia nâ manu
Miki`ala i ka nani o ka lipo Proudly swept the rain by the cliffs
As it glided through the trees
Still following ever the bud
The `ahihi lehua of the vale

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Chorus:
Farewell to you, farewell to you
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace,
'Ere I depart
Until we meet again

Sweet memories come back to me
Bringing fresh remembrances
Of the past
Dearest one, yes, you are mine own
From you, true love shall never depart

I have seen and watched your loveliness
The sweet rose of Maunawili
And 'tis there the birds of love dwell
And sip the honey from your lips


Queen Lili`uokalani, age 53
From the website : http://www.huapala.org/Aloha/Aloha_Oe.html
 

coco maui

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 18, 2002
Messages
1,773
Purraise
1
Who else is catching a late plane over to join us for the party???

Its not too late! (For those of you who are new to The Cat Site...jump right in and play Road Trip with us
Just make up funny stories as you go along, its fun!) and don't forget to bring your kitties along for the trip
 

tulip2454

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 16, 2003
Messages
1,208
Purraise
1
Location
still practising the Dharma
*puff puff puff*
Hold on we're coming.......drat this snow.
Missed the Spam, missed Mars, we are not going to miss this island shindig. We had to wait for poor ole fat Katy, that kitties little fat legs wont carry her far and we ended up carrying her, all 19 kilos of her. *puff puff*
Mischa decided she doesnt look good in a hula skirt so she is sulking,Tulip decided to eat the hula skirt and is now being sick and Dirt.........WHERES HE GONE NOW!
Save us some ice cream
 

tulip2454

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 16, 2003
Messages
1,208
Purraise
1
Location
still practising the Dharma
Uh uh, Dirt just found the indiginous burial place. EEEUUW PUT THAT DOWN!
Certainly hope Bjork is looking after us tonight (as long as shes not 'looking after' Mr.Cat!
 

debby

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 5, 2000
Messages
10,983
Purraise
4
Location
Iowa
I'm having an awfully good time! And Sam...Bless your heart for remembering Gus!!!


I did bring along some snacks, and some more wine, I think I might need it!
It's been an awfully long week.
So where are we going next Joe?
 

katl8e

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
12,622
Purraise
3
Location
Movin' on up!
With all of those bones around, its a good thing, that I left Ike and Pearl at home. Also, some of those natives look as though they would relish some roast doggie.

Now, how to keep stiletto heels from sinking into sand? Maybe, I should have bought sneakers instead.
 

wellingtoncats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
36,207
Purraise
24
Location
Wellington City, NZ
*catches ice-cream* Thanks Mags! I needed that. Mud Crab! Eeeeew! Guess I'll have to start enjoying the local food.

Ouch! Guess I'll have to get my shots.


Thanks for that Ginger, I hope they catch us some good ones! I can't wait to sing that song, it has such beautiful lyrics.

Debby


this is such a fun trip guys!
 

coco maui

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 18, 2002
Messages
1,773
Purraise
1
tulip2454,
Glad you and Katy could make it through all that snow! You guys should sit near the fire tonight and warm your toes


katl8e,
Just go barefoot in the sand! You can save your heels for the days that we dress up and go out on the town. Maybe we will end up in Honalulu


Sasha and Acorn are back from fishing and they caught alot of fresh fish for the party, but no Mud Crab (thank goodness). Let's get cooking, all of the cats are starting to drool!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #95

mr. cat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
1,848
Purraise
1
Location
Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.
I'm loving all this food! And the cats seem quite interested as well.



Thank you, one and all, for contributing to this amazing feast!



Well, first thing in the morning we're leaving for a bit of a scientific detour. It's a slight departure from our original plan, but it's still in the Orient.



=^..^=
 

coco maui

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 18, 2002
Messages
1,773
Purraise
1
What a fun day of scuba diving around the plane wreck! The food was yummy tonight, what a great buffet we set up! I really enjoyed the singing and hula dancing around the camp fire
I am tired so I am going to retire to my hammock in the palm trees (far away from those ancient burial grounds-SPOOKY!).

Goodnight everyone, goodnight to all of the kitties: Tulip, Mischa, Fat Katy, Dirt, Gus, Acorn, Sasha, Jin, Spawn, Snowball, Willow, Blade, Chewy, Mittens, Toes, Tailer, Trent, Opie, Pixie, (goodnight Guinea Pigs, and Britany Spears too)!
See ya'll tomorrow at our newest destination, can't wait to find out where we go next!!!

***I sing myself and Sasha to sleep...

Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again
 

hermoine

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
422
Purraise
1
Location
Missouri
Hey guys!
I am still here. I have enjoyed everything but so wrapped up in seeing it all and eating it all that I haven't had time to write.


Did someone sneak my Mars T-shirt out of my things???? I want it back.
Don't mind u borrowing but....

I don't like fish but this other stuff (???) is sure good. Sam if you run out of Coke, I have plenty of PEPSI!

Hey Mags, can I have some ice cream also? Something I just ate was a little warm, need to cool of the innards.

Anybody got any sunburn relief stuff? I forgot to put on my sunblock.


Ok Mr Kat, I am ready for the science adventure. The kids and I can't wait.

 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #98

mr. cat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
1,848
Purraise
1
Location
Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.
Volunteers wanted for dangerous assignment!

We have been asked by a team of volcanologists to assist in placing measuring devices near and on a volcano. None of our party are required to accept this voluntary assignment.

Be aware this project involves risk! Nevertheless, those of you who volunteer will be furthering the cause of science in developing better warning methodologies and hence saving lives.

This assignment will last approximately two days. Those who do not wish to participate are welcome to stay here until we return.

Those of us taking part in the project will be leaving shortly for Indonesia, specifically to a group of small islands in the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java. This old map shows the general area:



Here is a more recent view:



Satellite imagery provides us with this view:



And here is a photographic image of the islands themselves:



In the spirit of full disclosure, we wish to make you aware of events which took place in this area in 1883:







20th May 1883
A column of ash and steam rose 11 kilometers into the sky from Perboewatan (northmost crater on old Krakatau Island). Ash fell in southern Sumatra.

27th May
Sightseers visited the island and saw explosions every five or ten minutes.

Mid June
The top of Perboewatan was blown off in an eruption.

Mid July
Pumice was discovered floating in the Sunda Strait.

11th August
A government surveyer set foot on the volcano. The volcano was shrouded in ash and the rich forests were burnt.

26th August 12:53 pm
The main eruption began with a huge explosion which was heard 155 kilometers away in Batavia. An ash column rose 36 kilometers high in four hours. In the afternoon and evening the explosions became louder and more distinct throughout western Java.

27th August
Powerful explosions recorded at 6:36 a.m., 9:58 a.m., 10:45 a.m. In Batavia the temperature was 18 degrees Celsius rather than the usual 27 degrees Celsius. During the morning 30-meter-high tsunamis hit the coasts of Java and Sumatra, killing 36,000 people. These were the most devastating effects of the eruption. At 12:30 p.m. a 2-meter-high tsunami hit Batavia.

Effects of the eruption
The explosions were heard 4,653 kilometers away on the island of Rodrigez in the Indian Ocean. A 2-meter-high wave was recorded in Auckland, 7,767 kilometers away. A bank of pumice floated to Durban, South Africa, by September 1884--more than a year after the eruption. Volcanic dust and gases reached the stratosphere and circled the world in two weeks. Beautiful sunsets were visible around the world. The old island of Krakatau was destroyed. The former volcanic cones of Perboewatan and Danan fell into a hole in the crust which flooded with sea water. Only the southern part of Rakata remained. Two-thirds of the original island was destroyed. Two temporary islands were formed from pumice: Steers and Calmejer. They were eventually eroded by the waves.

Total fatalities 36,417

Causes of death:
Tsunamis: 32,000
NuÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]e ardentes: 4,400
(A glowing cloud or nuÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]e ardente is a gas-generated eruptive phenomenon consisting of two parts: a glowing avalanche [lower denser part]; and a lighter fraction of volcanic gases, ash and dust which cauliflower upwards. A nuÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]e ardente consists of two parts whereas a pyroclastic flow only relates to the lower glowing avalanche.)

Deaths according to area:
Ketimbang (Sumatra) 8,038
Teloeq Betoeng (Sumatra) 2,260
Semangka (Sumatra) 2,160
Tjiringin (Java) 12,022
Anjer (Java) 7,610
Tangerang (Java) 2,340
Serang (Java) 1,933

165 villages were totally destroyed and another 132 damaged.




Anyway, here we go:













We'll be back tomorrow (through the miracle of cyber-space make-believe) and then it's off to New Zealand for, well, as long as we like!

Here are scenes of our brave volunteers in action:



















=^..^=
 

hermoine

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
422
Purraise
1
Location
Missouri
OOOhhhhhhh. Sorry, I thinks the kids and I will stay here and soak up some more sun and take some pictures.

Waiting impatiently to go to New Zealand


Good luck all you volunteers.
 
Top