Mijts Blog

Each Saturday we go to the market. I keep all our small change in a market purse and we buy lots of fresh produce for just a few kina ( a kina is around 40cents AUD). Pineapple, bananas, kau kau (like a sweet potato), tomatoes, mango and whatever else that we like and is available – you never know what you might find! We definitely don’t buy tobacco nor buai (betel nut) and it’s accompanying bag of lime – but we do enjoy lots of other local fare!

The markets are on a dirt patch with some make-shift shade and lots of umbrellas. The ground is washed away in places and you have to watch your step – but they are colourful with lots of character.

The women bring their produce from the village (usually in the back of a truck) each morning and sit all day to earn just a few kina – every day except Sunday.

There are always plenty of peanuts

The tobacco is neatly displayed (and lighters too!)

The bilums are colourful – I have a few- but I don’t carry mine around my forehead!
Note baby sleeping in the black laplap tied to the pole!

Sometimes there is even a bit of jewellery available.

These baskets are specific to the local Tolai people and are commonly seen being carried by men (often with their food inside!)

It is always fun at the market – and I enjoy this weekly visit!

Our market experience is about to change as this week a new purpose built market site will open – across the road from the current markets.