Day 1 - Travelling
Friday, September 22
What a long day! We woke at 4.30am to get to the airport in time for our 6.30am flight to Brissie. Fortunately, our bags weighed just under 16kg each (the limit for Air Nuigini flights) - good guessing on our parts! Grabbed a coffee (Jace) and a juice (me) while we were waiting for the flight.
Travel is boring, so I will tell you now the few highlights/points of interest:
* Jace bought me "Louie the Fly" sunnies at BNE (you will see them in a few of the photos to be posted later)
* There were no Kina (PNG currency) at BNE, where we planned to buy it, so we had to get it at an exchange in POM while negotiating our visas (see below) at the same time from the other end of the room. Note: they only accept credit card at the exchange there.
* We didn't have visas for PNG, so had to wait forever to get them at POM. Note for those travelling to PNG (ie that's you, Annie): get your visas before you get there!
All in all, though, it was pretty smooth sailing, which was lucky.
When we finally arrived at Alotau around 5.30pm (no time difference), Jane and Cam were waiting for us with big smiles on their dials and a car (a ute - pretty much all the cars are utes).
We went for a bit of a drive around town, just to get an idea of the layout, and Jane gave us some handy hints, like saying hello to everyone you pass as you walk along the road and waving at everyone from the car. This walk also introduced us to bu-i (no idea how you spell it). This is basically chewing betel nut with coral lime powder. After a while, the bu-i is then spat out (onto the side of the road, usually) and leaves a red stain where it lands. It also stains the chewers teeth bright red, is addictive, causes mouth ulcers and rots the gums. Locals do not have pretty teeth in PNG.
Then it was off to Napatana (a pub) for dinner and a couple of drinks, and a little NRL - the Papuans love their footy! And most support the QLD teams, so were happy when the Bronchos won - and finally, home to bed after a very, very looong day.
What a long day! We woke at 4.30am to get to the airport in time for our 6.30am flight to Brissie. Fortunately, our bags weighed just under 16kg each (the limit for Air Nuigini flights) - good guessing on our parts! Grabbed a coffee (Jace) and a juice (me) while we were waiting for the flight.
Travel is boring, so I will tell you now the few highlights/points of interest:
* Jace bought me "Louie the Fly" sunnies at BNE (you will see them in a few of the photos to be posted later)
* There were no Kina (PNG currency) at BNE, where we planned to buy it, so we had to get it at an exchange in POM while negotiating our visas (see below) at the same time from the other end of the room. Note: they only accept credit card at the exchange there.
* We didn't have visas for PNG, so had to wait forever to get them at POM. Note for those travelling to PNG (ie that's you, Annie): get your visas before you get there!
All in all, though, it was pretty smooth sailing, which was lucky.
When we finally arrived at Alotau around 5.30pm (no time difference), Jane and Cam were waiting for us with big smiles on their dials and a car (a ute - pretty much all the cars are utes).
We went for a bit of a drive around town, just to get an idea of the layout, and Jane gave us some handy hints, like saying hello to everyone you pass as you walk along the road and waving at everyone from the car. This walk also introduced us to bu-i (no idea how you spell it). This is basically chewing betel nut with coral lime powder. After a while, the bu-i is then spat out (onto the side of the road, usually) and leaves a red stain where it lands. It also stains the chewers teeth bright red, is addictive, causes mouth ulcers and rots the gums. Locals do not have pretty teeth in PNG.
Then it was off to Napatana (a pub) for dinner and a couple of drinks, and a little NRL - the Papuans love their footy! And most support the QLD teams, so were happy when the Bronchos won - and finally, home to bed after a very, very looong day.
posted by Alix at 4:34 pm
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