PNG
"Fine & Beaut"!

Bob's Baron was loaded with donated goods
And Barry and Cheryl took some but no foods.
Then Ian left Jill to go fly TYE
Dianne, Jill and Bob flew P2-BOB.

The flood plains of PNG passed without fear,
The hills became mountains and how they did rear,
Up out of the clouds there was one poked his head,
But Bob flew us smoothly - like sitting in bed.

More mountains, more clouds and a shower of rain,
John, Peter and UCV quite safe yet again.
Then Jill found a new way to ease her distress
In back seat we found there was not any mess.

Arrival at Hagen caused no-one great pain,
We leaned, then we landed without any rain.
Then Customs checked Gen. Decs. and gave us no lip,
The end of the first stage of our magic trip.

We met our reporter, Jim Baynes is his name,
Both he and his camera are bound for great fame.
He photographed everything just like the rest
At night we reviewed them to find out the best.

Then sightseeing occupied us quite a lot
The Highlander Hotel, Mud Men, what a spot,
Then back to our rooms, with water turned off,
A swim in the pool caused some a light cough.

Cold water in buckets to each room was sent,
With hot water later, the tribe did relent,
A drink, then our dinner were welcome indeed,
With sleep overtaking us after our feed.

Next day we flew on to Madang to refuel,
Bus trip to the markets, quite hot, not so cool.
Malolo Plantation Lodge, way out of town,
With Jane we spent two nights, a place of renown.

Some swam in the sea, which was Bismarck by name,
Some swam in the pool, Mr Mo was quite tame,
A hornbill, he lives at the lodge, could be held,
Saw Kar Kar volcano, our fears they were quelled.

We went to the village of Simon our guide,
Saw medicines, palm climbing, it made us quite tired,
Some tried bow and arrows and betel nut too
And learned how they live, tribal life was not new.

Then off to the fish farm, we saw what they run,
They milked barramundi for eggs, oh what fun!
Bus back to the lodge, a quick lunch, then a trip
To snorkel midst coral and fish, what a dip.

Next day we flew coastal, a nice easy flight,
'Round Mannum volcano with smoke, what a sight.
We turned at the Sepik and flew up the river,
Bob's antics dive-bombing canoes caused a quiver.

We turned at Timbunkie for Karawari Lodge,
Low level we found not a cloud we could dodge,
We landed on grass strip then joined a small boat,
Moved downstream and found "Sepik Spirit" afloat.

With David and Deena for three days in rain
Karosameri, the Sepik, more villages again.
We walked Mameri and Kanimbit too,
Timbunkie, Tambanum we purchased anew.

The necklaces, penis gourd, carvings and flutes,
Two message boards, making up some of our loot,
We saw sago pancakes cook and ate one too,
The hours we had left were becoming few.

With Kalden our pilot, both engines on full,
The Islander lifted with plenty of pull.
We reached Karawari, the lunch it was set,
Lucas and Raymond and Ambrose we met.

Then next we went down to see old Ambon school,
The pupils all dressed up for that was the rule.
They sang and they danced, so we sang along too,
"BOOM CHUKKA WAY YUKKA",
...we danced, it was new.

Pens, pencils, chalk, rulers, books, items galore
Dianne handed over now we were ashore.
From District A52 Inner Wheel Clubs,
The donated items caused many hand rubs.

The two thousand dollars left now will help pay,
For text books now ordered and soon on their way.
They thanked us sincerely, then bade us goodbye
It was back to the small boat on water quite high.

The kundiman village was next on the plan
The chopping of sago was done by a man.
A Meri then washed it to extract the flour,
They dried it for use without any power.

Then back to the lodge we gave medicines galore,
To Stephen for treatment of sick and the poor.
Ambrose’s Bamboo Band played for us that night,
They sang and the music it sounded just right.

Then Bill and Jill danced reggae style with the band,
“Good Spirit” took Dianne to dance hand in hand.
The band said “goodbye” then went off in the night,
We went off to bed, it all seemed quite alright.

Next day six flew Islander, Ambua found,
And four planes with pilots Mt Hagen were bound.
The pilots returned in the Islander too,
The up gradient fourteen our Kalven just flew.

Three days at Ambua with Alison and Brent,
Gave us many hours of ways to be spent.
Bird watching, the Hulis and nature walks too,
The bus rides we happily found there were few.

Then Ian the “bride price” for Jill he did pay,
Shells, axes and pigs, the poor girl had no say.
Last day was spent walking, a Sing Sing, Mu Mu,
A demo on billums, we tried quite a few.

Our last night farewell is now here and next day,
We fly out to Hagen and customs – O.K.
Then back to Horn Island, no Jim and no Bob,
Our numbers reducing, it’s back to our job.

We’ll save up our money and hopefully then,
Fly PNG VMC back once again.
We thank Bill and Bob, they are both rather cute,
We proved we can fly PNG “FINE AND BEAUT”!