Stock-up tension in Lae

Lae is a bit weird over the last few days.

The liquor ban has been lifted temporarily before it is reintroduced in the lead-up the the elections. Everyone is stocking up – us included, as we do not know how long the new ban is going to last. It could be six months.There are a lot of rich targets driving around.

There is reports of rioting in an outlying township between some groups of Highlanders. There has also been a big ferry disaster near Finchhafen, 200 missing or dead. Town is full of drunk men, and hardly any women and kids around. Pedestrians and drivers are being a bit aggressive, and generally the  atmosphere is wrong.The horrible Markham wind isn’t helping.

We’re going to buy some more wine, but also, to stock up on food. Might pull the kids out tomorrow.

Steve.

 

 

 

Protected: Rites of Passage Weekend (Markham Ball and Salamua)

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It’s Cold, Damnit!

It is supposed to be 28. But take off 4 for the unseasonably cold winter, rip off another 4 for wind chill, and then a further 4 if its morning or evening, and you’ve got 16, damnit!

It’s like High Summer in Old Blighty! Get your cardigan, and bring out the milk stout and oatmeal!

Is this why I pay my taxes?? Honestly those global warming people should stop sitting about complaining and actually do something for a change!

Yours,

G. “Rumpy” Oldcoote.

Cairns

We are in Cairns. On the Esplanade. Weather dreamy. Erin keeps asking me in PNG is going to be like this. Poor chook.

A couple of guys looked at me funny last night, but otherwise the security situation is OK!

Actually they might have been looking at me like that because I was carrying Erin, who had passed out from tiredness after getting up at 4 in the morning. Everyone is talking about “the game”. This means the State of Origin match that occurred last night. I confess to having my mind on other things. Cairns looks all right though, we know we’ll be coming here a bit so it was cool to have a first taste.

We ran into Frank Boulay at our hotel, and went out to have Thai food with him. Franck is a mate from Solomon who taught us to dive. He is also married to Louise’s PNG colleague Bec, and, living in our Port Moresby compound, and, looking after our security and logistics while we are in POM (which by the way means Port Moresby). He has just got a job with Coffey International, who are the company looking after the security / contract stuff in PNG on behanf of AusAid. He might be catching our plane this avo.

So it is hard to imagine a more fitting person to have run into (into whom to have run?).

Flying out at 3. POM Drinks at 5. Sleep at 9? Hotel til Friday then the apartment next to Franck and Beck. I’ll be back with photos soonish.

Steve.