The great Hornbill
Yes, that starts sounding repetitive but the search for conservation initiatives continues in the Morovo lagoon with rather depressing outcomes. In amongst the raped and pillaged natural landscape of Vangunu, there aren’t many places left that stand out for their intact natural value.
One of many logging camps which are all around Vangunu island
Very little native forest was spared by the loggers, except for one plot which we were lucky to find at Chemoho, near the village of Cheke.
The conservation has been the initiative of one family alone, on their own land, a 300 acres plot which runs from the shore to inland hills and they are very proud of it and wish to make it known to the outside world, which is why I am talking about it some detail now.
Lulu and family
The block of native forest saved by Lulu and Hopia has become a heaven for all the birds who lost their habitat trashed by loggers on either side, so it is a birdwatcher’s paradise! A great place to photograph a number of species, including the Hornbill. Many pairs reside throughout the block and Hopia knows their habits very well, along with those of many other species, which fruiting tree they are in and when, etc….
White cockatoos are contstantly cackling in the trees
cuckoo shrike eating fruit
Ducks inhabit the creek which borders the block and can be visited by kayak or dinghy
Eclectus parrots, white cockatoos, many kingfishers and buffeted kaukau also reside in the lowland area whilst a swirl of butterfly species can be observed near the hill that lookout over the lagoon.
Hopia or Lulu and any of the girls can take you for a walk on the network of neat tracks zigzagging through the bush block. Of course the block has been used in a traditional way and is sparsed with clearings used for gardens and only a few large trees were harvested here and there for family building needs. The foreshore area supported a coconut plantation
Hopia, Lulu Viginia and kids are very welcoming and hospitable. During the time new Zealand was encouraging the ecolodge business (90s) Lulu trained as a kayaking guide and both worked in the lodge nearby. Now they are eager to have any visitors interested in nature. Though their settings is very rudimentary, it’ll make for an interesting visit and they welcome any yacht to anchor at the front (there is a 9m shoal 150 m from their coral jetty) Lat Lon XXXX
Hopia also runs a carving shop, inside the old district courthouse. Here are a few examples of his talented works.
Hopia in his shop
Carving is abig industry in MOrovo lagoon and the archetype representation of sustainable and value adding use of timber. It's also deeply inspired by nature.
Another interesting though not terribly protected anchorage is behind Pelevo island, which also belongs to Lulu and family.
- I will add Map and GPS track to Pelevo, there are a bunch of reefs to avoid -
This tiny sand cay, 2.4 miles north of Chemoho has a house on it, Turtles and Kurukuru (pidgeons) nest on it. The reef there is an MPA set by Lulu early 2000. It has started recovering and makes for a shallow snorkel.
Lucky porters, they're happy to carry the tripod, said to be lighter than a chain saw!!!!
