Mijts Blog

Things are quite here at the moment. Our trip to the States seems like ages ago. Whilst in the States we bought an ebook, has been one of the best purchases ever. We both read a lot and there is nowhere in Kokopo to buy any books, no such things as newsagents or bookstores here. So being able to download the latest releases is best thing ever. In fact we should have got 2 of them, maybe get another one at Christmas. Will be home in Brisbane over Christmas/New Year.

Internet access has improved significantly in recent weeks, Telikom here have recently introduced a CDMA wireless system into Kokopo. It is quite quick and is a major, major improvement over the dialup system we had. The only problem is that it may turn out to be quite expensive, still waiting on Telikom to finalise its pricing.

Back in Kokopo and all is well. Ben and Sarahs wedding was really good.

Can check out some more photos from the photographers blog at http://www.colinmichaelphoto.com/blog/

I’ll post more over the weekend. The internet connection is not real good at the moment and updating posts takes ages.

Leaving kokopo on Tuesday for 3 weeks holiday. Heading off to San Francisco for Ben and Sarahs wedding early July. Be back here on 17th July. Depending on what internet access I have while away I may not post for a while.

Its hot and humid here today, hopefuly get a storm this afternoon to cool things down.

The volcano has been very quite in recent months with it continuing to emit only steam, no ash. Which has made life very pleasant here and also means should have no problems flying out on Tuesday. When the volcano is putting out a lot of ash and if the wind is blowing the wrong way can and often does close the airport for quite long periods.

Still lots of reminders here from WW2, on my street corner is a small Japanese tank that I only noticed recently when they hacked back the weeds that were growing up around it.

Also quite a few tunnels built by the Japanese still exist, those in the photo are from the road heading up to the vulcano observatory in Rabaul.

Went out to Little Pigeon island and completed our final dive lesson. Was a reef dive in about 25 metres and included swimming around a boat that was sunk there some time ago.

The fish life and coral was just great. I couldnt take camera down with me, but has convinced me to get a housing for it so I can.

Was not a typical sunny warm day, had some rain squals pass over us and saw some quite spectacular water spouts. Took lots of photos but they do little justice to how amazing they are.

I’ll post some more this weekend.

Posting this from a wireless connection which is quite expensive and connection poor. Will post once phone is working again.

Was another beautiful day here in Kokopo for our second diving lessons. The first dive was only in depths up to 6 metres so took my camera, couple of photos below. Including dive buddy handling a fish.

The second dive was down to 20 metre water, so no camera – the Olympus only goes to 10 metres. But second dive was really great. Went out to a wreck just in front of the rsort. The wreck is only few years old but fish everywhere.

Next week will be diving off Little Pidgeon Island, have been there before snorkelling which was great so looking forward to diving there.

Volcano still seems to be putting out steam only, no ash. But understand it has high sulphur content.

My Olympus camera arrived by courier this morning. Which is good news.

Doing some more diving lessons on Sunday and will take it with me and see if I can get some good underwater photos. Only problem is the camera can only do 10 metres so I’ll have to check with dive instructor and see if OK to bring with me.

Things are quite here in Kokopo, Maria is still on her African holiday. She has done 3 weeks in South Africa. She is now in Cairo and will be in that area for another 3 weeks before heading home.

I’m going home to Brisbane on 24th June, but only overnight as we then head off to San Francisco for Bens wedding in July. So could be a busy few weeks coming up.

After not having access to any decent shops here over the last 6 months or so, my list is getting bigger each day. But unfortunately constrained by how much I can fit in my luggage.

Then I come back here mid July. Maria likely to come here in early August.

Today had my first two lessons on scuba diving, another two lessons next Sunday then have a final fifth dive out on one of the many great dive sites around here.

While here in Kokopo I thought it a great opportunity to learn to dive.  And one of the local resorts has a certified dive instructor and am really pleased I’ve started, its really great activity. Even though we did our lessons in front of the resort, was still tremendous experience.  Quite a lot of coral and colorful fish, my only regret is that my camera is still in for repairs.

The first lessons were just about getting used to the equipment with some drills. Went to depth of 8 metres which was quite an experience. Cant wait for next Sunday.