Greetings From Papua New Guinea

A quick update:

On Tuesday the 9th I flew into the capital of PNG, Port Moresby. The next morning I boarded my connecting flight to Alotau, Milne Bay.

Little did I know, as I was waiting at the airport, that later that morning the city of Port Moresby would descend into a state of civil unrest, with thousands rioting in the streets, widespread looting, major shopping outlets burned to the ground, and a confirmed 15 deaths. I was lucky to get out when I did.

Expect the unexpected in Papua New Guinea.

Thankfully, I arrived to the peaceful yet bustling provincial capital of Alotau - The traditional watercraft capital of PNG.

It is from here that I will embark on my expedition out into the eastern Louisade Archipelago, to the remote island of Panawina.

Thankfully, I know a couple of people up here, and have been entrusted with a local seaman, Jon, who will accompany me out to Panawina, as well as help me to procure the items I need for this salvage expedition.

In a town centred around the sea, being a boatbuilder and seaman goes a long way. In fact, after only 48 hours in town, I’ve become one of the regulars at the boatyard. Enjoying fresh bananas cooked on the fire under the steam box with the shipwrights.

Today’s big news is that a vessel heading east has agreed to take myself and Jon out to Panawina on their way to a nearby island on a cargo run. We leave tomorrow afternoon and will be sleeping on the laid decks under the stars as she steams through the night under the watchful eye of her owner, Samuel. We will be sharing the decks with the crew and hopefully getting a bit of rice and fish to eat along the way.

What happens when we get to Panawina is still a mystery, as is Maiwar’s condition. But we’ll be going prepared with gifts, tools, timber and glue to hopefully make Maiwar seaworthy for the journey back.

All going to plan, in no more that a week, we should be steaming back into Milne Bay with Maiwar under tow.

Stay tuned for more…