Honiara, Solomon Islands
Monday, August 9, 2010
Today was our final day on Guadalcanal. This morning we attended a memorial service for the HMAS CANBERRA, a Royal Australian Navy ship that was sunk in 1942. It was an excellent ceremony, attended by the prominent individuals from the previosu ceremonies, both civilian and military personnel. The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands was in attendance at this ceremony also, and laid a wreath at the memorial. After the ceremony I went across the street to the Vouza memorial to take pictures of the statue there. From there we went to the memorial gardens located near the airport. Here individuals can plant trees in remembrance of someone. Next we went to Red Beach, where the Marines landed on Guadalcanal on August 7th. next we went to the Amtrack dump, where over 100 Marine amtracks were parked after the battle. We also visited the site of a WWII hospital and a memorial to five Germans that climbed Guadalcanal's highest peak, only to be eaten by cannibals upon returning to the village at the bottom of the mountain. We also visited a bomber strip during the war, where it is rumored Eleanor Roosevelt and Bob Hope landed. For dinner tonight we decided to go eat at the Heritage Park Hotel next door. I had peppered snapper filet with mashed potatoes and carrots. It was delicious. Right now I am watching BBC and repacking my bag for tomorrow. I'm excited to return home tomorrow. This has been a wonderful trip, and hopefully I will be able to take another trip like this again, and keep in touch with my new friends. Until my next trip, goodnight.
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