Wow, my stay at Airways Hotel in Port Moresby was fantastic -- what a really well-run property (or as they refer, "the compound") this is. Excellent service and squeaky clean everywhere. Some awesome woodcarvings from the Sepik region of PNG are featured at the gallery, and I was excited to purchase 2 items for my new "travel collection". I'll be happy to stay there one more night on my return from Kimbe Bay in 9 more days. Ahhhhh the joy of Air Niugini . . . ...

"B is for Bilum" With a repeat transit overnight stay in Honiara at the King Solomon Hotel, everything was familiar with the same friendly staff greeting me. After dropping the bags off in the room, I made a return visit to the handicraft vendors and found myself a handmade "bilum" so I can keep blending in with the local culture. Back at home, yes, I know, it looks a little bit more like a "man purse" -- so say what you need to say, haha. But, here, I've ...

My awesome stay at Uepi Island Resort has come to an end, and I made my rounds this morning saying goodbyes to all of my new dive friends as well as the staff at Uepi. Lots of good memories and great diving at Uepi, with Jeff, Ellen, Geoff, Lauren, Rolf, and Gabby. Many thanks to Grant, Jill, Jason and Katie, the owners/operators of Uepi Dive Resort, for their awesome hospitality and a well-run operation. I hope we meet again. I managed to upload m...

With a half day to kill in Honiara before my flight to Seghe, I hit the road for a long walk through town. Much more fun than a taxi ride, and gets me to soak in the sights and sounds of local life here in Honiara. At the Central Market, it turned out to be all vegetable and seafood vendors, and not handicrafts. Certainly interesting to be in the thick of it all. Lots of looks and smiles my way, as I stood out without a doubt. But all friendly, no problem. Didn't...

"Bula" to you from Fiji. Actually Bula is the hello greeting of Fiji. The Fiji Airways flight from LAX to Nadi, Fiji was on time and smooth as can be. I always seem to do well on these international flights -- why can't domestic flights at home be on time like this ? I sat crammed in my economy seat next to an 84 year old Indian man from Fiji. Nice man, but I couldn't understand a thing he said, except for the big laugh at the end of each phrase -- at which point...