February 12, 2018: First port of call, Alotau - 2½ days sailing from Brisbane.
The heat, the humidity, the smells, the jungle, the rain, the green, the people ambling along, tok pisin - it's all coming back!
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| The sun sinks into the Coral Sea enroute to Alotau on the Pacific Aria |
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| Pacific Aria in Alotau |
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| Fishermen in the clear waters of Milne Bay |
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| Hillside village above the Alotau harbour |
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| Arlene buying a meri blouse |
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| Milne Bay Cultural Festival |
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| Marilyn and Doug |
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| The women and children are all wearing their finest bilas (decorations) |
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| Evelyn and Steve |
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| Traditional canoe |
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| Local meal cooked in banana leaves over hot stones - delicious |
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| Alotau market - betel nut, live pigs and vegetables |
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| Under a shady rain tree waiting for their boat ... |
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| ... liklik pinis kambek (the little boat comes back) |