Where tourists never go

Three talks given by Col. O.A. Gillespie

Programme 4. "The Jungle of the Solomons"
Gillespie finds much beauty in the jungle on Vella Lavella that consumes the island in its "uncanny green gloom". Many soldiers found it a damp, dismal and depressing place. He describes the island's butterflies, spiders, birds, lizards, snakes, fireflies and flowers.

Programme 3. "Of Joys and Travels in New Caledonia"
Gillespie describes the landscape and villages on the beautiful east coast widespread with coffee plantations. He tells of the story behind the local store's particularly noteable panelling, his visits to the mission at Touho and the friendships and hospitality he encountered.

Programme 7. "Hurricane and the Firewalkers"
Gillespie describes his experience of a hurricane in Suva as a wall of wind and rain that lashed at everything in its path, drastically altering the landscape. It took many weeks of help and hundreds of New Zealand servicemen to clear the damage away. He notes a religious initiation ceremony whilst living in Fiji, which had a distinctively 'yellow' theme and involved the monotonous beating of drums day and night for weeks leading up to a firewalking ritual over a pit of burnt logs. The men appeared to be protected by their state of mind, with no trace of burns or blisters on their feet.