SPIDER ENCOUNTER! 6th December 2009 Had an unexpected trip to Australia for the past three weeks.A long and boring medical saga, caused by a simple earache lasting for two months and one which baffled one doc and two specialists in PNG. So, off to Oz we went, where things proceeded like a well oiled machine.The verdict was: Ears fine (for an old girl) Misaligned jaw, causing tissue damage and referred ear pain - solution a plate to wear at night.Can't talk ...

RED TAPE 8th November 2009 People in PNG love a celebration!They can't organise it very well, but a lot of time and energy goes into the planning and every event warrants a celebration, from opening new teachers' houses to opening classrooms, roads and of course, the annual graduation - even primary school pupils graduate!A head teacher from a remote school was chatting to me as we were driving over the mountain to do work in his school - a boarding school.He...

TESTICLES FOR TEA! 17th October 2009 Warning!Do NOT read this if you have just eaten, are about to eat or are eating!We returned from shopping this morning (Saturday) to discover a blanket had been hung up on next door's washing line, obscuring our view of their back garden.Thought nothing of the significance of it.All seemed normal, wife hanging out washing, children playing, pig snuffling, dog barking and husband sitting on his balcony watching nothing, int...

HOLIDAYS! 3rd October 2009 We're certainly taking every opportunity to explore this part of the world while we have the chance and we enjoyed our stay in Alotau, capital of Milne Bay Province, which, like most of the towns in PNG, has seen better days in colonial times and has been allowed to fall into shabbiness.The market was good though, brimming with mangoes as this is the season, but they haven't reached Kundiawa yet.Samarai, an island off Alotau, was once...

DAYLIGHT ROBBERY 2 19th Septemberr 2009 Jake invited us for lunch the other Sunday.He was leaving to go back to UK for his brother's wedding and obviously felt sorry for us being left behind.Lunch was duly booked at one of the two hotels boasted by Kundiawa.We were looking forward to it for, as you know, we don't get out much.Upon arrival, drinks were ordered but to no avail, as the bar wasn't open.John marched off to rouse the barman, who was still asleep, b...