Solomons Escape – Magical Munda

Belinda Botha’s enthusiasm for Munda is infectious. As the owner and operations manager for Solomon Island Dive Expeditions you expect her to be passionate about diving around Munda, but it’s the island itself she seems most in love with.

Arriving at Munda airport is something out of the ordinary. The brand new runway is impressive and dwarfs the tiny timber building that poses as the airport terminal.

Local Solomon Islanders wait behind a short fence, more out of interest than to actually collect family or friends.

The ground is bright red and the foliage so green and lush it’s obvious they’ve had plenty of rain.

This is the tropics. It’s remote, its raw and I’m excited to start exploring.

“Welcome to magical Munda,” Belinda beams, placing fresh flower leis around our necks.

“We’re so pleased you’re here, you’re going to have the best time.”

 The drive to Agnes Lodge is embarrassingly short – we could have easily walked, but glad for the comfort of the car to be honest. Betle nut stains are prominent on the road and there are people everywhere, selling fresh fruit and vegetables and, of course betle nut.

Munda is a busy place, there aren’t a lot of cars but there are people walking all about. The ‘main street’ hosts a half dozen Chinese stores, a police station and a small guest house. Tourism is a fledgling industry here. Everywhere we would walk in the next two days we’d get curious looks and the friendly locals all seemed to want to talk to us.

The Munda people are friendly and helpful, all offering directions but given the size of the town, I’m not sure how one would get lost.

The Agnes Lodge is at the end of the road from the airport, right on the main wharf. The wharf is a hive of activity with local boats unloading cargo and loading passengers. A Solomon Island Navy boat is also moored alongside the jetty. We’re greeted with a friendly smile and apology for the hot weather and quickly shown to our comfortable air conditioned room.

A quick shower and it’s to Belinda’s office just behind the guest rooms at Agnes for a dive briefing. She enthusiastically explains the dives on offer; there is