Robert@PNG

Last week I caught my next door neighbour climbing a coconut tree, one of the many found on campus. I was lounging around at home one afternoon after work and heard a crashhhh….. a common sound in these parts when a coconut falls. I heard one crash and then a couple more and I thought : what’s going on here. I looked over and saw my neighbour up in the tree cutting down some fruits.

Rondi was inside the house doing some housework and three of her grand kids were playing outside waiting for her to finish work so they could go home. We all got excited and went over to have a look at “the man up in the tree”.

A couple of coconuts were thrown our way. After asking someone to peel and cut it open (have not learnt how to this yet - requires a bush knife), the group sat down and indulged in some fresh coconut juice/water. Down at the local markets you can pickup up a drinking coconut for 50t (approx 20c). Very refreshing and a great thirst quencher.

A common sound you will hear in Melanesia…. at around dinner time… people “scraping” coconuts. Once the juice has been drunk, the coconut meat is cut or scraped out of the shell and used for cooking.

Please don’t ask me how it’s used in the cooking….

I don’t cook at home…. that’s a lie. Occasionally I cook up some 2 minute noodles and yes… cheese on toast.

Can’t wait to have some of Mum’s home cooking !!!

For a couple more photos of our “friend” getting “high”, check out the “Home Sweet Home” photo album.