Riven II : Are we there yet?

Unlike on a freeway in the city where you would have a huge overhead sign stating RIVEN 1 km – here in Rabaul we have bent coconut trees to sign the way.

"Are we there yet??"

Not far now.

Riven I - Reflections in Potholes

This week I thought we’d visit Riven Beach which is a surf beach not far from my house. We will have to take the 4WD as my little car will not make it.

We turn off the main road just before we get to the airport. The road is not sealed and can get quite muddy after rain.

I have found pot holes to be slightly more tolerable when they have reflections in them to photograph.

Ring my bell

s It is Sunday here and many local people will be dressing in their Sunday best and heading off to church. The Catholics, Seven Day Adventists and Baptists have quite a hold on the area but there are Anglican and United churches here too. This is the Uniting Church at Raluana, off the Rabaul/Kokopo road. It is on the beachfront in a lovely spot, and I have always admired it as we have driven past.

When we stopped to take a look and get some photos, I found this wonderful little haus win with the bell in it. Obviously the bell ringer doesn't like heights.

Jail House Rock

Half buried in the ash, are the remains of the holding cells for the Rabaul Court House that collapsed under the weight of the ash in the 1994 eruptions.

It is very eerie walking into the tiny cells and imagining how frightening it would have been in there that day.

But I guess in times of volcanic eruption - jail is probably a safe place to be!!! It is the only building standing in that part of town.

Let's Sail Away

This is the Star Dancer, a luxurious 40 metre, liveaboard dive ship which sails the islands of PNG. When it is in Rabaul it parks out the front of my place!!!

I have been on board for a cocktail party - I guess they got sick of me jumping up and down on my verandah with my wine glass waving and yelling at them - and it is very, very nice. Would be a great way to see PNG, even if you didn't dive.

Click on this link and see all the details.

Even dogs go troppo in Rabaul

Even dogs can “go troppo” up here. You’ll often see dogs stretched out snoozing in hammocks, fishing from banana boats or snoring under coconut trees.

Our dog, Lili, is part Australian Red Heeler, German Shepherd and village dog.

The bit village dog (related to the Asian dog) means she eats anything including apple cores, pawpaw and vegemite on toast;
the German Shepherd bit means she has a soft coat and is very loyal and affectionate;
and the Aussi Red Heeler bit means she is a lunatic….. I’m joking!!! ……is very, very protective, very territorial and snaps at people’s rear ends.

My daughter took this photo. Hi MM!!!

Breakfast in Rabaul

Bon Appetite to all daily city bloggers!!!! And yes I am here in one piece – the bomb has gone. No it didn’t blow up. Some men in a padded van with padded undies came and took it away!!!!!

Back to breakfast -
It is said that - When in Rome do as the Romans do or maybe eat as the Roman’s eat. So that is what I try and do here in PNG, but there are no quaint dark café’s in tree-lined boulevards to have my cappuccino and croissant in…………here breakfast falls from the trees.

And of course I have added something to my breakfast tray that an Aussi can’t do without.