MUNDA trip Sept./Oct. 2008

Hello all,

I am considering a trip for personal research about WW-2 history around Munda.

-Any resort tips in Munda likes/dislikes ?
-cost of trip over to Rendovas Eastern side by small boat ?
-Banks there have ATM's ?
-Rough guide on dive costs outta Munda Dive for 2 tank dive ?

-another Malaria question, how were the mozzies in Munda etc.

In addition I may have to do an overnight in Guadalcanal, anyone stay at airport hotel near Henderson ?

I am on a ship so cannot get a guide yet, sorry for some possible repeat questions in advance...any area specific tips would be great anyhow.

Cheers

I can't give specific advice about where to stay in Munda, as I haven't done so (and if I was there, might be staying at a friend's house).
However, motor canoes would cost about $10 (Australian or American) for a gallon of fuel, which is half to one hour of travel, depending on the size of the engine. You would also need to pay for the hire of the boat and the driver.
ANZ now has an ATM in Gizo, and a branch in Noro (up the road form Munda), where you can use a Visa or Mastercard (you can get cash advances from these cards in the branch). They are developing an ATM and mobile bank network, not sure if this has got to Munda yet.
I am not a diver, so cannot advise on this.
You need malaria prophylaxis almost anywhere in Solomon Islands - I prefer doxycycline. It is also advisable to take a repellant containing DEET (it is expensive to buy anywhere in Solomon Islands, and may not even be available in Munda). Also, at dawn and dusk wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
I haven't stayed at the Airport Motel, but it seems OK (I have stoopped at their shop many times driving past) Not a rsort, but clean and adequate. There are also options in town, (Honiara) depending on the type of accommodation you want, and it is not far. (About a 15 minute drive by taxi, at a cost of about $10 AUD ($50 SBD).
If you need any contact details, I have the latest Solomons phone book beside my computer.

Solomon Island Visitors Bureau has a list of accommodation, by province. I've stayed at Agnes Lodge in Munda a couple of times - don't remember them supplying mosquito nets, though, so maybe you should bring your own travel one. There have been some problems with Agnes Lodge, PM me if you want more details. There are a couple of other places to stay in Munda but the Visitors Bureau only lists Agnes Lodge and Munda Transit Lodge but the Agnes Lodge web isn't functioning properly right now.

Ozzie & Watsoff,

I cannot thank you enough for your replies. I am in the preperation phase of a trip and the airfare etc. seems to be coming along, but I have had those pesky little questions like malaria and boat rental etc. which ya replied too etc.- cheers big help for budgeting.

I feel better prepared already. I had sailed thru the Solomons in 1980 and then again for a month in 1981. I was a teenager then and had a great interest in WW-2 histrory.....well I guess it never went away.

I am now going to be looking for some items from a US Submarine I was shown (items- not the Sub), back in 1981 over towards Segi I think- gotta check the folks log book.

If you encountered any items in the Central Solomons of interest please PM me (now that I figured it out). I have specific items I am looking for, but will not mention on a public forum, but PM anytime.

Semper Fi

Be careful - it is illegal to remove any WWII artifacts from Solomon Islands.

Ozzie,

Thanks for the heads up, this law was in effect when I was there in the early 1980's also. Far from removing any debris or objects, my objective is to re-visit some I seen in the '80's, and to follow up on the stories (how/where found, condition etc.).

I intend to pay and visit any items I want to see to encourage the local WW-2 historical economy. I would like to write about it (when I am not so lazy ; ) ) at some future date- also talk to some of the village elders of that time.

Right now from contacts I have in Australia, I understand there is alot of frustration at/with the scrappers in Guadalcanal and the Japanese airplane situation in the Shortlands (?)- It seems somebody is stripping the battlefields as we speak.

My intentions are pay to view, and record and pass on to vets I talk to online and other history buffs vets., my stories and encourage them to get over there and see this things ....before they are sold as scrap etc.

Also I am interested in the recent story of the US Sailor (MIA), whom was recently discovered in the Central Solomons and ID'd by JPAC.

Regards

I hven't heard about any sailor found in Central Solomons, and I regularly read Solomon Islands media online.And what is JPAC?
(Note, I am Australian, and WWII is at the bottom of my list of reasons for visiting Solomon Islands.)

Ozzie,

JPAC is: Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Commision

here is the link about the MIA sailor who was found:

http://www.navyshipnews.com/2008/01/reminder-of-wwii-generations-sacrifice.html

Regards,

Thank you.
The article says he was found almost two years ago, so it might have been reported in Solomon Islands at the time.
Meanwhile everyone here in Australia has recently heard that an Australian ship, HMAS Sydney, lost in WWII has recently been discovered in deep water to the west of Australia. They held a memorial service with relatives of the sailors lost yesterday.

I have read about the HMAS Sydney online....Sad story and I look forward to seeing the investigation on how or what happpened.

The Sailor missing in the Solomons was found in 2006 and I understand just buried recently, I guess the ID and such takes time.

A million stories out in the Islands....

Talking about wrecks: does anybody know the exact whereabouts of the resting place of HMAS Canberra and USS Chicago?

Many thanks

Best regards

Wojtek

I.m pretty sure they are both on the map at the American War Memorial on a hill above Honiara. However, if they are sunk in Iron Bottom Sound, they could be in deep water.

Sorry I am a bit late on this thread...

DontSayReverse - you might want to read Losts Scots Travel Notes on the Solomon Islands and PNG that I wrote last year.

I think it at least partially answers all your questions (boat fuel costs will have increased due to peakoil etc though) and there is a section on Munda.

You should definately find Barney Paulsen in Munda (detailed directions to his house in my post) as he is the local WWII expert.

Good luck with your trip and let us know how you get on.

Cheers,
LostScot

lostscot,

Thanks for your post ! It helped with some other research I am doing into the Munda area. I will be stopping by to have a chat with Barney, and a couple other interesting locals.

Cheers again,

dontsayreverse