On the first sea day, I got myself checked out at Infirmary. I either have a some slight infection or have a “stone”. I will be on antibiotics for a few days to determine if I need to get an ultrasound in Manila. I will update the situation when I know something. Meanwhile, no Sip and Savor or Speed Wine Tasting.
We arrived in Alotua, Papua New Guinea on February 19th. I asked for my passport to get it stamped. I was told that they normally don’t stamp the passports and I would have to go to the airport. I asked the port security people for the Customs office. I was taken to the Office a few feet away and my passport was stamped with an arrival date of February 19th. I was told my passport would have to have an exit stamp in the next port – Madang , when the ship departed Papua New Guinea. I was off to the town where the weather was hot and humid! The people were very friendly and everyone was saying “hello” for “good morning” . The people eat a nut called Betel nut. It makes their teeth red. There are signs that state “No Smoking” and “Not spitting Betel Nut Juice”. Walked around the town and the War Memorial. Took a walk to the edge of town to the KB Missionary School then walked back and had lunch at the Malabu Café downtown. The I got a ride to the Driftwood Resort to take an hour boat ride. When I got to the Driftwood, the wind had picked up and the water was in a high sea state – not a smooth boat ride. The operator of the boat suspended rides till the sea calmed down. It never did. I had a cola and after about an hour, got a ride back to the town and the ship.
In Madang, I took a “Highlights of Madnag” tour. We stopped at the Haus Tumbuna (Museum), for a look at the historical and traditional items of the island Pictures were not allowed because of religious reasons. We then moved on to Bilbil Village – a tribal village known for it’s pottery. It was all thatched houses and it was interesting to see children with cell phones in a place without electricity. We were treated to traditional dances and a demonstration of clay pottery making. We later stopped at Balek Park to see and smell a sulfur creek.. On the way back to the ship we passed a national university run by Divine Word Missionaries, and passed by the Coastwatcher’s Memorial lighthouse and Haus Carving where handicraft articles were available for purchase. Then back to the wharf and the ship.
