Day on the town in Port Moresby

Church downtown


Kids at the beach downtown





We finally got out and about today. Yesterday entailed changing hotels because they screwed up our reservation and were booked up this week. We are now at a hotel with smaller, cinder block rooms and more roaches but WAY better food – especially on the veggie side of things. We actually had super delicious Indian food at the hotel last night – while a Discovery Channel show on Tree kangaroos – YES tree kangaroos!!! – played in the background.

Today we had lunch with a woman from WWF. For the record, they have much nicer offices than Conservation International. The lunch allowed us to actually walk around a bit. Saw the ocean, saw the blood in the streets. Not really. They all chew betelnut (a palm fruit) as a stimulant which turns bright red and when spit out looks like blood. Lovely. Turns the teeth a nasty color after a while too.

After lunch we went to the Botanic Gardens at the University of PNG. Pretty nice aesthetically but could use some interpretation. There is also an aviary with awesome birds and 4 species of tree kangaroos in cages. My first ones to see in real life! I didn’t photograph the tree roos simply because they were sort of sad specimens. Better pics to come on those.

Tomorrow we have a meeting with the Dept of Environment and Conservation, then flying to Lae. Monday is the Queen’s birthday so we have to catch a flight before they all fill up for the long weekend.

In other exciting news, I realized that my blinding headaches are in fact nothing more than allergies. Great. Just like the days at Point Reyes. So a Claritin later, I’m feeling great!













I actually have more pictures to share but it takes FOREVER to upload them...