Fun in the sun

How to entertain teenagers - all you need is a jet ski, a biscuit and a warm sunny tropical afternoon.

My daughter and her two friends have a turn.

While they were churning up the water a number of dolphins joined in the fun. I was lucky to catch one as it surfaced. (The photo has not been doctored even though the dolphin looks like I have darkened it - weird??)

My second daughter and a friend on the biscuit. Notice the volcano erupting in the background just to add to the excitement.

On my Vietnam blog there are some of my favourite photos of the girls, having fun in the waters of Halong Bay.

Faces

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My daughters and two friends are still visiting, so we have been off each day doing lots of touristy things. That is why I have been unable to visit many of you - four teenage girls are keeping me very busy!!

The other afternoon, I managed to organise a short dance by one of the Bainings dancers (see November 21 post) - the guy in the very, very tall mask. I took lots of photos but you have already seen them so I decided to post photos I took of some of the people who were waiting for the dancers to arrive. This group was formed of women of all ages who chanted and beat a stick on a block of wood to keep the beat for the dancer.

The dancer worked his way around this small group during the ceremony so I was unable to take close-ups of them while they were chanting. But as I watched them, it was obvious by their ages that this was a stunning example of how the traditions are passed on.

The baby watched wide eyed, the little girl joined in when she could as the younger women and
the older one lead the group, familiar with the words and the beat.

The Rhythm Road

Last week in Moresby, a friend took me to a concert that is part of The Rhythm Road American Music Abroad Program, which is in sponsorship with Jazz at the Lincoln Centre and the US Department of State, Educational and Cultural Affairs. American musicians are touring the world holding concerts, master classes, workshops, jam sessions etc with local musicians to sponsor cultural exchange.

We saw the Dana Leong Band which includes Dana Leong, Baba Israel, Elliot Humberto Kavee and Jason Lindner. Dana has played with the likes of Barry White, Alanis Morrisette, Earth Wind and Fire, Norah Jones. Ray Charles and the like. He is absolutely sensational!!!

They played “hip-hop funk rhythms and rock propulsions” which isn’t really my cup of tea but was certainly powerful and entertaining. The best part of the evening was when they jammed with one of the local PNG bands.

Music crosses all boundaries doesn’t it and what a great initiative of the American Government – bouquets to them!!!

These are some of the photos Greg took

Check out my Vietnam Blog today to see an interesting occupation.

Whip Dance

On the way to Rabaul the other afternoon we saw these men walking down the footpath on their way to the Kokopo High School Graduation Ceremony.

We stopped to take their photos and they honoured us by doing an impromptu demonstration of their dance - The Whip Dance. I think the sight of four gorgeous young ladies may have spurred them on!!

The whips are made from the dried and hardened stems of a large variety of ginger that grows here - see this early post of mine. The men go off into the bush for "secret-men's-business" which they say puts them into a trance. They then perform a dance during which they whip each other, all over their bodies.


The only room they had was on the road so one lane of traffic was blocked while they completed it. The wonderful thing about PNG is that this sort of thing creates not even the slightest annoyance by fellow motorists and everyone took it in a festive way, by blowing horns and calling out encouragement.



This guy is kneeling on the ground waiting to be whipped!!! The noise is unbelievable - like the sound of a traditional whip.

Three Girls and a Volcano

My daughters are home (with two friends), so we spent this afternoon in Rabaul doing all the touristy things which includes a walk-on-the-wild-side down to the hot springs across from the volcano.

The water at the base of the knoll the girls are standing on is boiling.

With the girls here it means my time to visit other blogs (which usually takes a few hours) is now almost non-existent for a week or two. I will still post but may not get to many of you - sori tru!!

More photos of the Japanese Bridge on my Vietnam Blog today.

Church at Kadakada

Along the North Coast Road you can find some quaint churches - this is the Methodist Church at Kadakada.

BTW My Vietnam Blog has a belated bridge for our Theme day yesterday - cross over and see it!!!

December Theme - Bridges

Sometimes in PNG when you need a bris (bridge) you have to build it yourself.


Bit rushed - have just flown in from Port Moresby, will visit tomorrow.