Missing Belgian hiker found in Solomon Islands

This man was lucky the Regional Assistance Mission was in the country, with its first world equipment, when he went hiking in cyclone season. Warning: always ask the locals first. http://solomonstarnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6415&Itemid=26&change=71&changeown=78

Ozzie's advice about asking locals also goes for crocodiles. Seems there has been a flurry of crocodile attacks and sightings, some in populated areas, the latest one being in Renadi, east Honiara.

Typical Euro-thick as a brick.

I read in the Solomon Star tonight that this guy had a local guide. I wonder who he was, and how he chose him?
Watsoff - an Australian navy diver was bitten by a shark in Sydney harbour today.

Ouch. I just read about the battering Malaita has taken - East Kwaio and surrounds. Sigh.

Advice from the locals re hiking with a guide (Friday's Solomon Star).

Hikers advised to take guides

Friday, 13 February 2009

A GUADALCANAL man says hikers planning to walk across the island must avoid doing it alone.

Stanley Mataniata of Veraboli village said this after a Belgian tourist Dries Stevens got lost while bushwalking from Poha river, west of Honiara, to Tangarare in southwest Guadalcanal.

Mr Stevens was found 11 days after he ventured out, alive and safe.

Mr Mataniata, who was one of the local guides that the led a search party, said tourists hiking across the islands must take local guides with them.

He said the route across Guadalcanal is rugged and dangerous that it’s only advisable hikers take with them local guides to help them out.

“Tourist Stevens had left a local guide at Huetsai behind Chiri village and decided to travel alone. He took with him a compass but not a map,” Mr Mataniata said.

He said Mr Stevens loves adventure and nature, but he should take precaution when going into the thick jungles of Guadalcanal.

Mr Stevens has been here since last year doing voluntary work teaching students at Aruligo Handicapped Centre in west Guadalcanal.

He will leave the country next Tuesday.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

I'm a bit concerned that RAMSI personnel spent a lot of time searching for this guy when they could have been helping the flooded villagers.