Robert@PNG

During the four weeks that Mum has stayed with us in PNG she has experienced the following:

- True PNG hospitality and friendliness.
- An overnight stay with a real village chief.
- Some pretty hairy 4 wheel driving.
- Life in a Simbu village for one week and in our own “hut”.
- During the week in the village Mum did not wash!!
- Witnessed two pigs getting clubbed to death and operated on in prep for a Mumu (BBQ).
- Witnessed two bus loads of highlanders fighting with sticks and bush knives.
- A drug search by police.
- A couple of minor road blocks by raskols.
- A raskol getting bashed by the police after running off with a camera and getting caught.
- The love and caring by the clan.
- A nine hour wait for a PMV.
- A banana boat ride to Manam Island.
- Did not get sick once!!
- Many a PMV rides.
- Long waits in bank queues.
- The emotional side of the Papua New Guinean.
- Eli's fine cooking and local fruits and vegetables.
- Drunken and antisocial behavior.
- PNG chaos and inefficiency.
- Read the local papers almost everyday.
- Met and hugged many a street boy.
- The Goroka Cultural show.

It will be very sad to farewell Mum tomorrow morning and although many tears will flow,  I know that she takes back home with her a collection of incredibly amazing memories - you can ask her yourselves. When Mum arrived in PNG four weeks ago she was truly accelerated into the midst of it all and hoodwinked (so to speak) right into local culture and custom. I believe that she has certainly achieved her goal of experiencing PNG culture as a guest and family member rather than just a plain old tourist (eg: Kokoda Track).

Once again… onya Mum!
You are the best!!!

(A tonne of photos o follow)

The question now is:
Who of you is coming over next??