Four nights in Port Moresby

And I’m ready to head back home.

There would have been a time in my life when doing the Gateway thing and indulging in K50 buffet breakfasts would have been right up my alley. Four days of living life in the fast lane and rubbing shoulders with the who’s who in Papua New Guinea is enough. I suspect that when my plane finally touches down at Goroka and get to see Eli again, I will be overcome with a sense of relief and homecoming.

It’s been great to get away from hustle and bustle of Goroka town and escape from the grind for a few a days. Although I don’t feel refreshed as one does after a holiday, I do have that nice feeling like my mind has rested a little.

The conference finished yesterday after a buffet lunch by the pool. The highlights of the past few days are as follows:

• Getting away for a few days from work, family and the intensity of Goroka.
• Standing in the queue at Goroka airport to check in and actually getting a seat on the plane that I was booked on. (I am already dreading this afternoon’s chore of checking in for the return flight back to Goroka).
• Being interviewed by Peter Sindra on NBC Radio on the recent commissioning of Goroka General Hospital’s new website - a 1st for Papua New Guinea!
• Meeting, interacting and spending time with the other Australian Volunteers.
• Having access to faster than dialup internet access through the Hotel’s wireless service. In the four days since arriving I have purchased and used up K140 worth of Datec wireless cards. Worth every toea!!
• Catching the PMV yesterday afternoon and going down for a wander around Gordon and Four mile markets. And during the visit to Gordon’s market being confronted by alcohol and drug riddled Moresby youth, young boys as young as 10 rolling around drunk and harassing passers by. But like Lae and Goroka - I connected with these street kids and hung out with them for a bit.
• Meeting the Deputy High Commissioner of PNG during the Conference Closing lunch.
• Indulging in copious quantities of buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Particularly the buffets breakfasts!
• Having dinner with PNG journalist Malum Nalu on the Tuesday evening. A beautiful man and unique Papua New Guinean. I hope we have a chance to catch up again Malum!!
• Being acknowledged by the AUSAID machine for the work and contributions we make as australian volunteers.

It is now 9:30am and I’m in the Hotel room using up the last 5Mbs of my wireless credit and writing this post. The question now arises whether I will purchase another K20 (15Mbs download) card when this one expires and before I head back to the Highlands this afternoon. Maybe but then again maybe not!!

Guess what?

No photos!!