Being a tourist

This week has been one of consolidation. I had one of the FPDA guys from Moresby follow up on compost and potting mix; it appears their is none made. So the locals will have to keep doing what they have been doing; using soil in their mixes.  In a follow up on some Agricultural Chemicals we were using in NZ to control DBM, I discovered that while it had been recommended that the chemicals concerned (success and Stewart) be registered for use in PNG nothing was done. I also discovered there are some alternatives available, recommended for use on Cocoa Borer, which has had a devastating effect on Coccoa production in PNG, and around the world.
So the means to control DBM (and other caterpiller pests) is available but many farmers here don't seem to "see", holes in leaves as a problem. Plants from one of the nurseries are riddled in holes. While "organic" pesticides have some control, in a nursery its important that pest control is nearly 100%. Getting people to understand that is difficult.
Today (Monday) is a public holiday in PNG so a long weekend. We decided to become tourists and caught the PMV to the Japanese hospital near Rabaul. It was well worth the effort. A huge complex had been tunnelled out of the rock, five stories high. Kilometers of tunnels. With a hospital and kitchen servicing the soldiers and a tunnel to an observation point looking out over the bay.
There are also a number of barge tunnels, where the Japanese hid supplies and the barges from Allied bombing during WW2. There is a point in the bay (Blue Lagoon lookout) where the sea drops to 300 meters deep, right by the road. The Japanese created a loading/ unloading point for supplies; submarines tied up, unloaded supplies and then they were submerged in the deep water, to hide them.  By the end of 1943 the only way the Japs could get supplies into Rabaul was via submarine.
All around Rabaul and Kokopo there are tunnels and evidence of the Japanese occupation. Locals tell me that the Japs were pretty brutal with the local tribes people, basically using them as slaves and food gatherers. As a result of allied bombing Rabaul was completely flattened and needed to be rebuilt after the war.

Entrance to the caves.

 Marine Supplies store

 

View towards hospital part of cave.

 

Hospital  beds were placed along both sides of the cave.

 Tunnel through to observation point

View from observation point. I managed to get a great panoramic photo of this view using some of the software in my camera.

 
This tunnel is about 200 metres from the sea. The Japs hauled the barges into the tunnel from the coast. The observation point is above this tunnel. The tunnel is built into the bottom of a high cliff, which I think was an old coast line.

The family that owns the land into which the tunnels are formed, runs tours, for people. Noah who runs the tours is hoping to build it into a tourism money spinner but H&S in NZ would have a fit! The family needs to spend a reasonable amount of money to upgrade steps,  hand rails, etc to make it tourism friendly. And put a platform and guard rail at the point where the tunnel emerges from the hill. When you come out of the cave, the drop is several hundred meters to the valley below, with only a small ledge. Then they need to negotiate a reasonable price with the cruise ships that come into Rabaul, during the season; at the moment they are beating him down in price.
Christine: Ladies lunch as usual on wednesday. What a mixed bunch we are - from all sorts of different nationalities. Some discussion re dreams and events that are the effects of sorcery and the best ways to combat what is happening. All very interesting from a multi cultural/multi faith perspective!!There are no sheep in India and what they call mutton is Goat meat. I had to explain to several of the ladies what hogget is.
The trip to the Japanese hospital was interesting. Noah's wife had him making some practical improvements to aid tourists ie: some tunnel tracks are left as is but where the incline is too steep a few steps have been cut in and some handrails have been installed on the way up to the lookout. I think Noah's wife must be yet another 'strong woman' of PNG. I've met a few now.

This wee lass is about 5 months old and loves her cradle - a great use for an old Volley Ball net. She is in the kitchen, safely up off the concrete floor, away from the dogs and 3 puppies, hens and children running around. It catches the breeze and is under the shelter from rain and sun. Perfect.
I trimmed Anton's hair this morning. Hmmmm not as easy as it looks. I'm sure to improve with practice.