It seems like ages since I have participated in a weekend coffee share. It feels good to be back and you are welcome so come on in for a cuppa – tea? coffee? and lets have a chat.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that I returned from my cruise to Papua New Guinea with a chest infection/asthma/flu – I didn’t go to the doctor for diagnosis assuming that I would get better and although not 100% I seem to be over the worst of it and this week I started all my normal activities again – yoga and dancing, book club and art appreciation, toastmasters and of course my office work – writing and photographs.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that the cruise was good but not as good as the one to New Zealand. Having lived in a similar society I found Papua New Guinea depressing as even the cities were in poverty struck states with begging common (at least whilst the cruise ship was in town). Last year they apparently had 14 ships visit and this year 10. Two of the destinations we were scheduled to go are not going to be included in future trips. We didn’t get into Madang due to an anthrax outbreak. Apart from the ships I don’t think there is any tourism and there isn’t a lot of evidence of industries starting. Of course there was evidence of exploitation. The Taiwanese fishing boats were there in force with refrigerated ships, helicopters to spot the shoals of tuna and wahoo and small boats that went and netted these entire shoals. I don’t think the local people have any understanding at the dire consequences of this over fishing.
© irene waters 2018
There was many beautiful or interesting sights as well and the boat was a well behaved crowd. Most had some connection with Papua New Guinea whether from the war or having lived there before independence. Any way it is time to move on – I am doing enough posts during the week on the trip not to take up all the time here.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that on the boat we used the gym every day so on our return we decided to buy an exercise bike so we could continue once back home. The contraption we bought turned out to be an instrument of torture. For the first time my muscles hurt and I have certainly worked up a sweat. Perhaps on the ship I didn’t because it was airconditioned but the effort now is so much greater. Lets hope it gets me fit. If it does it will be worth it.
© irene waters 2018
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that Roger and I both have had birthdays – mine today – so Mum took us out to lunch. It was a miserable day
© irene waters 2018
but that didn’t matter as we stayed nice and dry and ate what I consider to be the best food in Noosa.
© irene waters 2018.
We then went for a drive to look at the big surfs and then came home and walked the dogs in the rain. A perfect day.
© irene waters 2018
Enough about me. How was your week? Has your weather been warmer/colder, wetter/drier. Have you read any good books or seen any good films? Thank you for dropping in for coffee, it is lovely to see you. Thanks to eclecticali who is our host of the weekend coffee share.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 