Knot much today

A friend collected these photos from some frameworks made of bush materials.

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It has taken me an hour and a half to try and download these photos. What with the line freezing and then dropping out, to the power coming on and off, I have been thwarted at all turns!!

Will try and visit today but not sure how I will do!!!

This week I have a colleague staying with me and we will be doing advisory work locally. I will be able to post but not visit much. Have a good week.

Sky Watch - Ze plane, ze plane!!

It is really neat when you fly past your own house. If you look carefully you can see me waving!!!

I was only 24 hours late - but who's counting. The dancers had obviously given up and all gone home so HWDB and Benson were my small but enthusiastic welcoming party!!!!

More skies at Friday Sky Watch here.

Bai mi lukim yu tumora

Bai mi lukim yu tomora (see you tomorrow) - hope there will be a warm welcome for me!!!!

Faces at the fence

These children in a village on the Kerevat/Kokopo road, were very curious of the white meri with the bokis piksa (camera). Their mama was encouraging them to smile for me but they were very shy.



The boy on the right has grile - a common skin complaint here caused by a type of fungus/ringworm.

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I am in Port Moresby until Wednesday. See ya then!!!!

Sky Watch - Dawn sky reflected

He-Who-Doesn't-Blog decided he would like to post one of his photos for Sky Watch this week while I am in Lae.

This is another photo of New Ireland, taken one morning - very early!!! I was away in Port Moresby and HWDB and Benson were having an early cupppa on the deck.

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Have a great Sky Watch.

Buai anyone????

At the market there are lots of people selling betel nut. Betel nuts, which come from a coastal- growing palm, are chewed with daka (mustard stick - the pods that look like beans at the back of the mat), and cumbung (crushed coral lime) to create a mouthful of brilliant red spittle and a "rush". Afterwards it is often spat on the ground, at moving vehicles or passing dogs, sides of buildings or in plastic bags which are then thrown on the road exploding when cars run over them!!!

It has strong cultural meaning here and is used socially and in ceremonies. However it is extremely caustic and can cause mouth cancer.

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I am away at the moment in Lae - see you next week.

Waiting for the bus

On the Kerevat/Kokopo road I met these friendly people waiting for a PMV (bus).
I loved the bus stop - made out of bush materials.

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I am in Lae - see ya next week!!

Don't breathe out!!!

This little boy must have his big brother's pants on; any sudden move could be disastrous!!!!

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I fly to Port Moresby today and then to Lae, then back to Port Moresby, and then back here on August 27 . He-Who-Doesn't-Blog and Benson will be posting while I am away. Pop in and say hi!!!

Sky Watch Friday - Fire in the Sky

I took these photos late one afternoon quite awhile ago, when we were walking on the beach down in front of our house.

The colours haven't been enhanced - this was exactly how it looked.

Pop over and check out the other Sky Watch posts here.

Wrap that round ya togs!!

This lady sells her hand-dyed laplaps at the market each day. They make great wraps over your togs.

No, not togas - togs!!

Sorry - that's what we Queenslanders call swimmers, trunks, .....
Oh you know!!!!

Dandy Dunnies

Aren't these the neatest school toilets you have ever seen? I took this photo outside Goroka when I was there a couple of months ago.

In Australia outside toilets are called dunnies. In PNG I have heard them called smolhaus (small house) and haus pekpek (use your imagination and work out what pekpek is!).

What are toilets affectionately known as where you are??

A funny sign and a significant birthday!!!

Kimbe is 20 minutes by air from here so whoever painted this sign on a house on the Kervat/Kokopo road, has used creative licence with the biblical quote!!!

Not sure why it is upside down??? Maybe to reassure people flying to Kimbe that all is well in the capital of West New Britain?? Any other ideas????

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One of the reasons for travelling home last month was to join my family in celebrating my Dad's 80th birthday. He is a hoot of guy with a wicked sense of humour and is as fit as a Mallee bull. Lives for his dog and his garden oh, and for my Mum too. Likes to cook and is a demon at spotting a bargain at the supermarket. Can build anything he puts his mind too - including our house, and wins all the Christmas Lights Competitions. Here's to you Dad!!

PS: My Mum is 78 - and no she hasn't had any plastic surgery. Hope her good genes have been passed on!!!!

Sky Watch - New Ireland at sunset

I know it is only Thursday but have to post now as I will be incommunicado until tomorrow.

These photos were taken from my deck at sunset. The tall mountains at the back are the coast of New Ireland and the landforms low in front of them are the islands of the Duke of York.

New Ireland is often covered in cloud or haze, and people who are new to our fair shores often don't realise it is there. One woman walked out one morning, saw the blue rising up from the ocean and ran in screaming "Tsunami, tsunami!!!"

She has never lived it down....and no it wasn't moi!!!!!

Sky Watch is here - pop in and visit.

Club Med PNG-style

Feel like getting away from the daily grind???

Bookings are now open for the newly opened Club Med - East New Britain.

Great views and natural air-conditioning, but room service can take a while!!!

The last guest was not there when the boat came to pick him up - all that was left was his thong!!!

What happened to him I wonder????

Maybe he just doesn't want to be found????

Pages of leaves

Went for a walk around the garden and took some photos of leaves and fiddled with them on Photoshop to make them more interesting - as you do!!!!

Hope you have a great weekend.

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Thanks for all your wishes.

Sky Watch - Break of Dawn

Dawn breaks over Talili island during a camping weekend. Nothing beats sand in your sleeping bag!!!

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Drop in and see the other Sky Watch participants here

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Have just received terrible news tonight of a shocking car accident in Brisbane, that involved family members of my brother-in-law, so I won't be doing any visiting over the next few days.