Conflict Islands, PNG

Our last stop was on Panasesa, which is one of the Conflict Islands in PNG. A strange place in that it is privately owned and uses its own currency in the form of vouchers. 

Still, it is very beautiful with clear blue waters and is very good for snorkelling and swimming.

This appeared to be a new island forming from sand that must be building up - not sure why. As we sailed away a typical storm came over very quickly.

Kitava, PNG

Kitava is an island in PNG and is part of the Trobriand Group. Not much development, but it was beautiful.

The people are noted for having almost no strokes or heart disease due to their healthy lifestyle and diet.

We saw a pod of dolphins swimming just off the island and they seemed to be unconcerned about the people and boats around them while they searched for food.

Lots of stall selling native wares and children seeking donations for schools - there does not appear to be much in the way of social support networks.

Alotau, PNG

Our second visit to Alotau, PNG was much more interesting as we did a tour to a village which gave us an opportunity to see how the locals live.

Saw how palm oil grows and is harvested - the red fruit are ready for picking and the black still have several weeks to go.

The village we visited was very well presented and there was an impressive dancing display put on, especially by the little warriors. We had a very tasty lunch, especially the sweet pineapple - tasted nothing like what we get in the shops at home.

On the return to the ship we stopped at the war memorial for the Battle of Milne Bay, which was a decisive point in the Pacific campaign. The harbour was a strategic position for the Allies in stopping the Japanese advance in PNG.

Cairns, Nth Queensland

We decided to hire a car in Cairns and drove up to Port Douglas and then to Kuranda. The weather was very wet but it still made for an interesting trip.

There was lots of very low cloud and water cascading down the mountains as we drove. Went up to Kuranda to see the Barron Falls in food, which was very impressive. Don't get to see much water going over the falls since they built the dam on the Tablelands.

This was Scout Hat Island off Ellis Beach, one of our favourite spots back in the 60s.

The Barron Falls and the Kuranda Range Road were well worth the trip.

Sue's old school in Cairns and some very, very low cloud over the city as we sailed away.

Dili, Timor Leste

We got to Dili on Sunday, which was appropriate given that the population is 98% Catholic, so many people were out and about going to church and having get-togethers.

Our first stop was at a point that had a statue of John Paul II, who visited in 1989 when Timor was still occupied by the Indonesians.

Then we drove up into the mountains to visit a market in Gleno, with some great views on the way up and down. The roads were generally good, but there were many instances of rocks and trees that had fallen onto the road and several places where the road surface has dropped.

Saw many small stalls on the way selling all kinds of food and goods - evidence of the poor status of many of the people.

Stopped at a coffee plantation for lunch and the opportunity to buy some coffee - the plantation seemed to be very derelict so we were unsure where it was being grown.

As we returned to Dili we went to a local market before returning to the ship.