The Old and the Restless

Each evening after a day's diving, we gathered on the deck at 6 pm for hors d'oeuvres with beer or wine before dinner at 7 pm (no drinks for those doing the 8 pm night dive). This meant we were usually together at sunset. Here is a great red sunset from the deck of the Bilikiki showing the very high bow of the ship. Every time we moored close to a village, out came the population in dug out canoes to greet us. The women brought fruit, flowers and vegetables to sell to the boat - keeping us well nourished. The men sometimes brought freshly caught fish (tuna, wahoo or kingfish) to sell to us by weight. The kids just came to watch us (as if we were their private TV sets). Even though the water is deep (usually over 50 feet deep), children of all ages came to meet us - as young as 3 or 4 year olds. Our gift to the children was usually balloons that were brought by our dive buddies, the Darnells.   Each island in the Solomons seems to be the "preserve" of one Christian den...