by Dianne Cowley

Here we are 2001; our next Safari has just begun,
Six little planes departed Horn Island, fifteen members and one to come.
The first stopover was Mt Hagen, and who forgot his mixture to lean.
Just a lesson for all our pilots, we learn about it and now we’ve seen.
Visiting the mudmen’s village, entertained with dance and song, Tea plantations, another village, the Highlander to dine along.
A short flight on to airport Madang, a bus trip through the town was taken, The Cultural Centre was included, to view artefacts they had been making.
Then we drove to Malolo Plantation Lodge on Bismark Sea, At Simon’s village we viewed the past, retained for all of us to see.
Some brightly coloured fish and coral, in clear water when we snorkelled, Held our gaze for many moments, in this environment we revelled.
The peace was shattered early evening; Dianne arrived with all her gear, Met the members of the Safari, would fly with Bob without any fear.
West along the northern coast, to Sepik River mouth we flew, Past Kar Kar and Manum volcanoes, covered in cloud, so nothing’s new.
Turning left along the Sepik, keeping low below the cloud, Near Timbunkee we turned left, to Karawari, engines loud.
Many locals there to meet us, we "beat up" the strip times two, Then when all of us had landed, our anticipation grew.
We transferred to the "Sepik Spirit", which was our home for days to come, Sleeping, eating, visiting villages, trying new foods out in the sun.
Artefacts were bought "en masse", Barry and Kath the worst offenders, Sergeant Simon and S/C Sinoni, travelled with us as our defenders.
Children sang to entertain us, men and women did their dancing, Drums were beating as we joined them, a bunch of Aussies going prancing.
We farewelled the "Sepik Spirit", then on to Karawari Lodge, Set on a hill above the river, we settled in, hard to dislodge.
At Kundiman 2 across the river, palm leaf roofing mats were made, We watched the sago preparation, and the basket making trade.
We went to visit the Amboin School, where Magda greeted us with pleasure, The children sang and danced to please us, we sang for them, they had our measure.

Books and clothes and pens and pencils, to schools the items were donated, Their needs are great, supplies are few, My pleasure having these all freighted.
The last night there we held a "sing-sing", Ambrose’s Bamboo Band the highlight, The throbbing drums called us for dancing, joining Raymond’s Bird Dance flight.
We took our leave of Karawari, flying off to Tari town,
In the Southern Highland Province, with wild, spectacular terrain around.
The bus trip up to Ambua Lodge, was one we’ll not forget again, We arrived all bruised and shaken, and one of us was in great pain.
We visited the Huli Wigmen, where hair is grown for two years, Then it’s cut and handed over, to the wigmakers we hear.
Now here we are our final stay, seven thousand feet on high, With the Tari Gap above us, where the Birds of Paradise fly.
We walked beside the flowing river, crossed over bridges made of vine, Looked at Bob’s great hydro-electrics, sampled many bottles of wine.
Today we bumped and banged our way, to the Huli homes and land, A wedding and other ways of living, helped understanding to expand.
Tomorrow I will have to leave you, to continue on your way, ‘Twas great to meet you this safari, I hope we’ll meet another day.
Our thanks to Bill and Bob we offer, for helping us collect our loot, Keep up the PNG Safaris, where the weather’s FINE AND BEAUT.