photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Melissa Armstrong | profile | all galleries >> The Solomon Islands tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

In Box | A photo a day: September 29th, 2011 - November 25th | People | Urban Toronto | The Solomon Islands | Orange, Green &or Blue | Black, White and Gray | Jewelry Shoot | Animals in the city | A Haunting Night | Miscellaneous | Winter - Toronto | A photo a day: January 1st, 2012 - | A photo a day: June 26th, 2011 - September 25th, 2011 | A photo a day: from March 7th - June 26th, 2011

The Solomon Islands

The photos in this gallery were taken over several years, both before and after being lost at sea in 2002. After the "big swim" I traveled aboard Marine Research vessel Flamingo Bay (owned and run by Captain Tomlinson, who was the person I was lost with). We delivered the many donations we collected in Australia by different groups: school supplies, vital medical equipment, clothing and more to the remote villages of the Solomon Islands. Getting to know the people was wonderful - most especially the children, whose smiles are contagious. After spending a number of years exploring, filming and photographing in the country, I decided to take some time off on dry land. Thank you for visiting this gallery and I hope you enjoy the photos of this very special place. Sincerely, Melissa
Melissa with Eroni tropical trapeze Eroni & JFK
Beautiful Village Children Timote Mbiche girl
Island path Portrait - Drip Drying Sweet Baby
Portrait - Sahnta Alinka Wendy
Teamwork - soccer shoes Bright canoes of Viru Harbor..on the way to school Four on a limb
Viru family Climbing for a coconut as they fish from dugouts t4%2f68%2f601668%2f4%2f59284540.z1mKvdOL.jpg
Children are early for church Up the Tree Again Eroni and his son
Climbing Backs and Tree Limbs slice of heaven Sisters
Viru - a morning visitor Perplexed - village boys and a girl Viru Harbour
Mother and baby with knife Indy at the garden Diana's brother Dyke
Children come to visit On the way to Lola Feeling Safe..scared of the camera
Island scene - Saying hello as we pass by On the porch, taking a bath Reflection
Tenggomo Island Eroni's Village Ocean Dessert
Olirina Got the giggles Portrait - Lunch break
Umbrella Boy Little Sweetie The rope broke!
Diana Boboe girls Mate'
Orchid Girls First day back to school Indy with knife
Gile' favorite toy a very green day
Indarae on a rainy day t4%2f68%2f601668%2f4%2f51076172.2Dxa8CBN.jpg Holding Hands
Boy in a canoe little feet big soles She's being called & doesn't want to go
The sky was so blue... Mamaolo Mbiche Lodge - The woven mattes caught my eye.
kustum kitchens carving tool Indare'
On Our Way... Sitting on the steps of the bank Up a tree
Lee Alinka's father Orlinka
carving Brown and Tan Girl at the market
She uses palms from the rainforest... She's always smiling barefoot on jagged shore
orchids in her hair Shy Boy in Noro Leaving Viru Harbour for the open sea
1 In from the rain Blue umbrella..
Sahnta in her love shirt Seghe Store morning fish before Sabbath
Noro guys.... ..... Vae Carver (he carved the bird & snake) -->
Standing by the water Noro - lonely Noro store
Double Rainbow Mirror image If by Sea
Mbiche morn' Eels home Showing off on a rainy day
Sand Art Another trailing behind Coca Cola, band aids, and cigarette (Noro)
One shoe off & one shoe on Little Monkey -
Walking on the beach Melissa Armstrong 2002 Seghe Market
Mammaolo and baby Rebecca & Doone at Anuha Selling fruit along side the ship
Boboe girls Kids in canoe orchid
Tenggomo girl Wonderful day

comment | share
Branzie 20-Jan-2012 05:45
Than GOD i'm only watching your wonderful creation and thank you Millissa for putting my island people at the World map.
mobility_scooter 11-May-2011 08:07
beautiful people
these photos are full of love
david 04-Oct-2010 22:32
I said "say a prayer" and I don't know why I said that? Maybe he with whom you were reminded of was he who saved your life! Wonderful story of courage..an absolutely beautiful spirit you have Melissa.
David, NC
Marc 04-Aug-2010 07:36
You and David are real strong human beings. I saw the Wouldn't be alive episode over here in the Netherlands. It was amazing how strong you where. When I did a quick search on the internet, I also saw these really amazing pictures (I'm (also) a professional photographer and I'm really impressed. All the best from Marc , Netherlands
John Watkin 21-Jun-2010 04:28
I've done a bit of long distance swimming in the sea and can appreciate a little of what it must be like to be lost, exhaused and sick at sea, its a wonderful story, the music was brilliant as well, does any one know what that piano music was called?
Lars Molin 16-Jun-2010 13:43
Melissa, fab gallery ! I'm looking for travel inspiration, and you may just have me heading for the Salomons :)
Keep the great shots coming !

Lars
www.pbase.com/0000larsmolin
Lars Molin 16-Jun-2010 13:43
Melissa, fab gallery ! I'm looking for travel inspiration, and you may just have me heading for the Salomons :)
Keep the great shots coming !

Lars
www.pbase.com/0000larsmolin
Alex Cheung 30-May-2010 14:26
Brilliant gallery!!! -V-
Abhishek Vaid 28-May-2010 14:46
..Hello Melissa I just watched your survival time on Discovery "I shouldn't be alive". I really appreciate your courage and guts you showed. Generous applause for you.
Thanks for sharing all your Moments.
Good wishes for you.
Harman 17-May-2010 08:00
Hi Mellisa, just watched your programme on discovery channel today about your tough time in sea at solomon islands...i appreciate the courage show n ur partner showed during that tough time...Lots of love to you
cloudy girl 12-Apr-2010 02:04
hey melissa i am also canadian and i just watched your television reenactment of your totally amazing survival........i cried for you and thought that your courage was incredible........jude vancouver island, writing from kapa'a kauai
Guest 11-Apr-2010 23:26
I just watched the I shouldnt be alive Tv Segment! Wish you well in life! You are so Lucky you survivied
Guest 06-Apr-2010 18:10
hello melissa im dan in oregon. can you email me? i would like to talk to you about you experiences. not just the shark waters but your photos also. danthetvman123@gmail.com
thank you
Estefania 18-Mar-2010 23:02
Melissa, I saw your story on television and cried. You are true heroes and these stories show us how much we are lucky to be alive. Much health and life for you two.
Ohad.R 03-Feb-2010 21:51
i agree with all
great story, beautiful portraits!
v
Guest 02-Dec-2009 16:08
Hi Melissa,
I watched the I'm Alive episode featuring you and your friend. You and your friend had a lot of blessing with you to be able to survive. I admire your courage and perserverence in the ordeal you encountered. God bless you both and hope you both have great futures.

Mark Wilson
otman 14-Aug-2009 02:48
so that experience shows to us how life is important to live it each day ,each minute & each second .. thank you .
Guest 14-Aug-2009 02:28
Hi Melissa

I just watched your story on MBC Action. It is very sad what you had to go through but it was amazing to see it was a happy ending and that you were back safe!

God Bless
Nick - Dubai
Ghazzaf Youssef 10-Aug-2009 12:58
Hey Melissa , i'm Youssef From Morocco

i just watched your story in " i shouldn't be alive " really it was unbelievable ,

thanks for this gallery ,
Laura Linda 24-Jul-2009 05:56
I like your pictures. When are you coming back to the Solomons again?? We missed you..
Axel Sears 09-Jul-2009 03:10
What an astounding story you have. I hope all is well these days.
George Takei 21-May-2009 04:48
Oh my!
longbachnguyen 18-Dec-2008 07:32
What an awesome collection of images and your travel...beautiful images of the people in their daily life and wonderful portraits. Good Luck with your book...best wishes for your success in the book. Cheers, Long
michael Dungey 02-Dec-2008 02:49
Wonderful memories brought back to me, I spent almost 3 years at Viru Harbour during the late 60's when I ran a logging camp for Kalena Timber.
Thank you for sharing these pictures, I often wonder what happened to Penny Haro who was the oldest son of Pastor Haro at Tetemara Village.
Cindy Flood 24-Nov-2008 14:50
This is a wonderful body of work. You connected so well with your subjects. Congratulations. V
Steve Scott 10-Aug-2008 21:15
I'm watching the Discover Channel piece now - what a terrifying experience. I'm glad it had a happy ending for you.

I love your pictures...very nicely done. You really captured the spirit of your subjects. Congratulations on your success!

Steve Scott, News Anchor
WCBS Newsradio 880
New York, NY
John 06-Aug-2008 18:49
Wow beautiful photos. God Bless you Melissa.
Hilton Houghtonil 03-Nov-2007 17:19
Hi Melissa,
What became of the persons responsible for leaving you out in the ocean. I can understand from Discovery's point of view that they had to abort on day one, but it didn;t seem that much was arranged to 'save you on day 2.
Continue the great work!
Hilton
jordan 28-Sep-2007 07:31
hey Melissa, i just watched your story in 'i shouldn't be alive ' series . i must admit it is very frightening as well as inspiring . hope GOD showers you with his chicest blessings.
Guest 22-Apr-2007 05:39
Interesting rcaial types that you don't see in the USA!
Mesake Waqa (Fiji) 20-Feb-2007 20:13
Very nice pictures of the Solomons. Just a message to the person(s) who posted the pictures, do you have anything on Munda?
Guest 18-Feb-2007 15:19
Wonderful captures of the people.
Agnieszka (Poland) 11-Feb-2007 17:25
I'm waiting for your book... :)
Wally Dion 11-Feb-2007 09:34
Just saw the Discovery show. Left me kinda speechless. Checked out this page. I'm also an artist, (painted portraiture/ comtemporary). Can appriciate your obvious ability to 'relax-gain the trust' of your models. But anyways. Holy man, that story. What a story to tell. What a story to tell.
Susan Raddatz 07-Feb-2007 14:13
Hello Missy! These pictures are fabulous. If your ears are burning its because the Haiser girls, DuBay girls and Raddatz girls have been chatting over email about your scary adventure. If you can contact one of us, we would love to catch up with you and get you in the loop. Hope you are doing well. Take Care - Susan R.
Valerie Haiser 03-Feb-2007 14:08
missy, you leave me speachless, you have gone on to do so much. you are an inspiration!
Nathan Harmon 08-Jan-2007 22:11
Wow, what great photography. You truly captured the people. I know because I was in Noro a couple of years ago on a mission trip. Thanks for sharing.
Nathan Harmob 08-Jan-2007 22:10
Wow, what great photography. You truly captured the people. I know because I was in Noro a couple of years ago on a mission trip. Thanks for sharing.
Grobljar Vanjo 06-Aug-2006 09:10
Nice hollidays
James Kaltobie 04-Aug-2006 05:09
Western province is truly, breathtaking, awesome, spent the best part of my life there and still remember the place. Would like to see places that I did not have the oppotunity to visit.

Greetings from the Star Mountains of PNG.

Takoolah
Donald Verger 05-Jun-2006 03:41
vote
carol j. phipps 04-May-2006 16:36
Thanks for sharing this gallery. Strong images.
Juliano Lopez 14-Jan-2006 03:07
You have great portraits. I also would like to know more about them. Nice work.
markwp 03-Dec-2005 22:30
This is a fantastic gallery -- so full of life -- another place I'd like to visit now
Dan Chusid 01-Dec-2005 02:42
Would be nice to read more of the story
under each photo.
Nice travel documentary and portrait work.
Guest 13-Oct-2005 23:50
Loved " Sisters" That was my favorite on this page. So pure and sweet....
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
click on thumbnails for full image