Chasing the endless winter has not always been my number one priority. As a kid, growing up in Florida, scuba diving was probably my favorite activity. Normally I am making plans to go to the Andes this time of year. However, those plans were foregone when my father suggested that we go to the Solomon Islands. Most of you have probably never heard of the Solomon Islands. They are a chain of roughly 900 islands spread out over 11,000 square miles of the South Pacific Ocean east of Papua New Guinea. Why go there? My dad has always been fascinated with World War II. This stems from his dad (my grandpa) serving in the Navy during World War II. My grandpa never talked about his experience in the war, so my dad took it upon himself to learn about where he was and what his ship, the USS Morris did during the war. The Solomon Islands were the sight of some of the most crucial battles in WWII. The family ties, historical significance, and the potential for great diving are why my dad always wanted to visit this island nation on the other side of the world. I am so happy we were able to make it happen. Please enjoy the photos in this gallery. There will be more coming soon!

The Solomon Islands: Part I