Robert@PNG

Early this morning we leave for Simbu. With Eli, her brother Lumba and her Dad we head up the highlands highway to there clan village “Kaubasis” (Simbu Province). A couple of hours drive along the highway past Goroka - we will get off the PMV at a place called “Mangiro” - in the “Chuave” district. From “Mangiro” we walk for a couple of hours until we get to Eli's Dad's village ” “Kaubasis” (Klos tu…  klos tu… !!).

This is a special trip in a sense as I head back to meet Eli's clan. I must admit to being a little nervous (just a little) but I am also excited at the opportunity to immerse myself in village life and dynamic for a few days. They tell me it get's cold in “Kaubasis” - at an altitude of around 2000m above sea level - there's a good chance that my nuts could go “block” when washing in the local river.

I'm sure we will come back with a few new stories and certainly lots of photos.

Stay tuned !!

NB: The above photo was taken on our 2nd last trip up to Goroka - on that occasion we slipped up to “Mangiro” by PMV for a few hours. The photo is a billboard at the “Mangiro” junction advertising the local guest house.