Evacuation

1. Newspaper article on the evacuation of my school, which appeared in the May 8 edition of the Solomon Star

2. After our evacuation from Tenaru, some of my students and I enjoyed a BBQ at Bill's house in Honiara.

3. Rose, Thomas and Derek enjoying the food at Bill's house.

4. Chanel, me and Aba drinking Solbrew.

5. Stand Fast!!?  While I was visiting Andrew and Samuel at Siota Provincial Secondary School, in Central Province, we received a message on the radio from Peace Corps that we were in Phase 1 of Evacuation

6. I high-tailed it back to Honiara just in time for the Olympic Torch Relay, which passed by the Peace Corps office in Mud Alley

7. Not knowing whether or not I will see my students again, I treat them to a farewell lunch at the King Solomon Hotel

8. Sebastian departs on the Ramos to go to Malaita on the afternoon of June 4th.  I am on the Tomoko, which is the last ship to depart Honiara before the coup on June 5th

9. Hanging out in one of the bungalows at the Agnes Lodge in Munda, Western Province, and trying to make the best of Consolidation: Phase 2 of evacuation

10. We're waiting to talk via two-way radio with our Country Director, Wes, who is with the consolidation group in Gizo

11. Re-packing--Bang and Jessica sort through things in trying to reach the 25 kilo baggage limit

12. Believe it or not, this is Munda airport, where we are filling out immigration forms.  Some Japanese Volunteers are also waiting for their evacuation flight to Papua New Guinea

13. Our chartered Vanuatu aircraft that will take us to Port Vila

14. With heavy hearts, and tears for some, we say good-bye to the Solomon Islands