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Post by exoticimports on Mar 3, 2016 22:07:56 GMT
I was on a flight from Honiara to Taro, and early on I asked the ni-Vanuatu Twin Otter pilot if I could sit in the co-pilot's seat, he said yes.
As we neared Choisul the clouds closed up and a big storm brewed. Soon we were flying through a heavy thunderstorm. We were probably 20 minutes from Taro, and low on fuel. And if you know the area, you don't want to just drop below the clouds.
The pilot was fiddling with the GPS, trying to find the waypoint for Taro. Finally, I told him "it isn't in there." He got real nervous. The passengers were already nervous.
"Do you have a feel for where Taro is?" I asked.
"No, I'm new. I've never flown this route." he responded with great uncertainty.
I grabbed the aeronautical charts and a pencil and started plotting by dead reasoning, and plotting fast.
"It has to be right below us!" I said. He didn't want to drop. "Well what are you going to do? We're almost out of fuel, and if you fly on, we'll smash into Bougainville."
There was a crack in the clouds ahead of us, and I saw mountains. Bougainville.
"Damn!" I said. "We have to be almost on top of Taro"
And suddenly, amidst the massive storm, a small hole opened to the ground- and there it was- Taro. He dove through that like a fighter pilot.
An hour later it was bright sunshine.
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mosca1
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 81
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Post by mosca1 on Mar 3, 2016 23:06:22 GMT
I was on a flight from Honiara to Taro, and early on I asked the ni-Vanuatu Twin Otter pilot if I could sit in the co-pilot's seat, he said yes. As we neared Choisul the clouds closed up and a big storm brewed. Soon we were flying through a heavy thunderstorm. We were probably 20 minutes from Taro, and low on fuel. And if you know the area, you don't want to just drop below the clouds. The pilot was fiddling with the GPS, trying to find the waypoint for Taro. Finally, I told him "it isn't in there." He got real nervous. The passengers were already nervous. "Do you have a feel for where Taro is?" I asked. "No, I'm new. I've never flown this route." he responded with great uncertainty. I grabbed the aeronautical charts and a pencil and started plotting by dead reasoning, and plotting fast. "It has to be right below us!" I said. He didn't want to drop. "Well what are you going to do? We're almost out of fuel, and if you fly on, we'll smash into Bougainville." There was a crack in the clouds ahead of us, and I saw mountains. Bougainville. "Damn!" I said. "We have to be almost on top of Taro" And suddenly, amidst the massive storm, a small hole opened to the ground- and there it was- Taro. He dove through that like a fighter pilot. An hour later it was bright sunshine. I think I may have just found the editor I need! Seriously.
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mosca1
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 81
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Post by mosca1 on Mar 3, 2016 23:17:29 GMT
Laurie, Thanks for the story! The experience to me is equal the specimen. Since you were at the base of the mountain, I assume that you had some elevation- any idea how much? I'd been told that schoenbergi could be found all the way to the sea- what do you think? Chuck Hi Chuck, I was pretty much at sea level. I have also collected the nominate on Bougainville at sea level. Mt Maetambe rises sharply and at just over 1000m you could be at the highest point in a matter of hours. I also got my backside kicked on Choiseul in 2014 when I returned and attempted to climb the mountain from the north coast. While 1000m approx is marginal for messalina, I'm pretty certain a new ssp awaits discovery on Mt Maetambe. Also Malaita. Unfinished business...
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mosca1
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 81
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Post by mosca1 on Mar 3, 2016 23:26:40 GMT
At Taro Island (North East Choiseul) I chartered a boatman and a dingy, loaded up with supplies and at first light the two of us headed off south down the coast with me totally amped and hoping to climb Mt Maetambe. After a few hours at sea and then heading up river, just as it was getting dark we finally reached Rarakasi village, at the base of the mountain. The local boatman was decidedly uncomfortable the moment we were greeted. It was clear neither of us were welcome. But because it was dark, we were tired and hungry and had nowhere to sleep the chief reluctantly extended his hospitality and offered us a roof over our heads for the night. The next morning I met with all the big men but there was absolutely no way I was getting permission to climb Mt Matetambe, even though I offered a substantial custom fee payment in return. During the unsuccessful negotiations, out of the corner of my eye I spotted a giant flowering tree bang smack in the middle of the village in what looked to be a special place of gathering. I could see the choiseuli circling the top of it. The air was pretty tense and there was no way I could ask if I could climb the tree. My heart was racing madly and I couldn't concentrate. All I could think about was getting up that tree. But I dare not ask and it would have been especially dangerous anyway without ropes or a harness. So as an ice breaker I offered as a gift all the supplies I had in the boat (rice, salt and tin fish intended to last me about two weeks while up the mountain) - and my best bowie knife to the chief, which met with great approval and applause. This paved the way for us to stay a second night. The second morning I waited patiently at the base of the tree with my 6 metre long handle until the gems would momentarily drop low enough for me to take a swing at. Laurie,
Thanks for the story ! You are my :
If one day, you publish a book about your adventures, I would be your first reader ! More seriously, I hope you will one day write about your expeditions.
Olivier
Hi Olivier, you are too kind, hahaha!
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mosca1
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 81
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Post by mosca1 on Mar 3, 2016 23:33:54 GMT
Laurie,
Thanks for the story ! You are my :
If one day, you publish a book about your adventures, I would be your first reader ! More seriously, I hope you will one day write about your expeditions.
Olivier
The chief.
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Post by nomad on Mar 4, 2016 6:01:15 GMT
It was clear neither of us were welcome. But because it was dark, we were tired and hungry and had nowhere to sleep the chief reluctantly extended his hospitality and offered us a roof over our heads for the night. The next morning I met with all the big men but there was absolutely no way I was getting permission to climb Mt Maetambe, even though I offered a substantial custom fee payment in return. Hi mosca1Why was permission not granted to climb the mountain. Do the owners hold it sacred or was the chief holding out for an exorbitant payment?
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 4, 2016 8:23:50 GMT
I was on a flight from Honiara to Taro, and early on I asked the ni-Vanuatu Twin Otter pilot if I could sit in the co-pilot's seat, he said yes. As we neared Choisul the clouds closed up and a big storm brewed. Soon we were flying through a heavy thunderstorm. We were probably 20 minutes from Taro, and low on fuel. And if you know the area, you don't want to just drop below the clouds. The pilot was fiddling with the GPS, trying to find the waypoint for Taro. Finally, I told him "it isn't in there." He got real nervous. The passengers were already nervous. "Do you have a feel for where Taro is?" I asked. "No, I'm new. I've never flown this route." he responded with great uncertainty. I grabbed the aeronautical charts and a pencil and started plotting by dead reasoning, and plotting fast. "It has to be right below us!" I said. He didn't want to drop. "Well what are you going to do? We're almost out of fuel, and if you fly on, we'll smash into Bougainville." There was a crack in the clouds ahead of us, and I saw mountains. Bougainville. "Damn!" I said. "We have to be almost on top of Taro" And suddenly, amidst the massive storm, a small hole opened to the ground- and there it was- Taro. He dove through that like a fighter pilot. An hour later it was bright sunshine. Another cool story ! For people who get bored of their life, get a trip to the Solomons ! Exciting moments guaranted !
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nick
New Aurelian
Posts: 6
Country: Malaysia
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Post by nick on Apr 3, 2016 8:02:29 GMT
Dear Laurie,
Your story is clearly fantastic !
I'll be visiting the Solomon's in July 2016 and any info that you could give me will be a must !
Thank you very much
Nicolas
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Post by exoticimports on Apr 4, 2016 18:06:03 GMT
Dear Laurie, Your story is clearly fantastic ! I'll be visiting the Solomon's in July 2016 and any info that you could give me will be a must ! Thank you very much Nicolas If you collect bugs, everyone will know it.
You'd better find somebody who has an export license, otherwise Natural Resources will take all your stuff.
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