Finally - a holiday

 

It has taken a bit of organising but we have had a few days away from Lae.  

I made what I thought were very convincing arguments on our travel permit application but even travelling through Mount Hagen without stopping from airport to lodge in the morning, when drunken raskols would still be asleep, was considered a risk too great, so we were denied permission for Rondon Ridge.  I won't be seeing the Highlands this time around and my jumper will go unworn until we land back in Melbourne in 5 weeks time.

So the consolation was a few days in New Ireland which is really nothing to complain about and no jumper needed.

The beach at Nusalik village

Outrigger canoe - Nusalik

We stayed at Nusa Island Retreat on Little Nusa Island - Nusalik in the local language.  The lodge was started by and for Australian surfers and was open only in the surfing season originally but is now open all year around.  It was very relaxing with excellent food and helpful hosts.  Highly recommended! 

The Nusalik women have a small craft market and I bought something from everyone - earrings and bangles.  I have googled 'can I bring shells into Australia ?" and I should be ok.

Our verandah, over the water

Purchases from the Nusalik craft stalls

We did a walk on Big Nusa.  The Japanese had invaded New Ireland during WWII and had artillery, shelters and tunnels there.  We met an Australian of Cantonese heritage who was born in Kavieng.  The story he had of his parents' survival during the war years was quite amazing.  They had gone back  to  Kavieng after the war and John was born there and grew up there, as had his mother, though this was his first return as an adult.  He was going to spend time researching the family history in the archives that survived in the Kavieng library.  He'd already discovered his birth record was gone but had been excited to meet people who remembered his family and the shop they had in the town..

Beach on Big Nusa

Japanese artillery

Walking on the beach - Big Nusa

Our 'hut'

Here is a satellite picture from GoogleEarth showing where all these places I'm writing about are.  There are lots of sandy islands fringed in coral reefs and topped with coconut palms - they look idyllic for a couple of hours relaxation and snorkelling but I don't think I'd want to be stranded on one. for too long.  We went for a forest walk in the hills south of Kavieng just off a road that crosses the island from one side to the other.  We'd hoped to visit Kaut Harbour on the south side but the road was too boggy even for the 4WD Hilux we were in.  The forest was dense and the birding was tricky but Steve was happy.  We emerged from the forest muddy, wet, scratched and bitten!

Northern end of New Ireland

Forest birding

Fungus

My treat was snorkelling at Ral Island.  The reef circles this tiny island and the fish were gorgeous - fluorescent colours and so diverse.  Some were tiny and some were quite large.  No sharks luckily.  I did feel slightly vulnerable out there on my own though I think our boat driver was possibly watching from his spot under the trees.

Ral Island

Something that intrigued me in the 'activities' corner of the bar, among the musical instruments was this military bugle that, given its similarity to the one our family treasures, I reckon dates from WWI.  The lodge owner didn't know it's history - he'd bought it as part of a job lot of instruments from a Bluegrass group that was disbanding!

WWI Bugle

On our final morning in New Ireland we stopped at the Kavieng market.  Lots of wonderful looking fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood on offer.  Also crafts, jewellery and meriblauses which I can never resist.  So two New Ireland style baskets and more earrings and bangles have joined the pile of things to bring home to be given as presents to people who have read my blog (hands up now if you're interested!).     

New Ireland baskets

Kavieng Market - lots of seafood

Our last 5 weeks here will be quite busy with training days organised not just with NARI Staff but also the other agricultural institutions and commodity boards.  Should be fun as I train the HR staff to take over as the 'soft skills' trainers.

Hopefully I'll do one more post before we head home.  Jenny