Wednesday 7th March 2018
New Guinea, a group of 600 islands, atolls and reefs with a population of 8 million, the closest point to Australia is only 160 miles away. The largest of Papua New Guinea’s beautiful off shore islands is East New Britain province where lies the township of Rabaul.
During World War II the island was occupied by the Japanese, who made their mark on the island with their network of tunnels designed to hide their military vessels and it was therefore heavily bombed by the allies.
The town is surrounded with three volcanoes and has been devastated by eruptions and is frequently covered with ash. Most recently by a major eruption of Mount Tavurvur in 1994 and closely followed by the eruption of Mount Vulcan. Smoke and ash from the volcanoes are often visible, but life goes on regardless.
Early morning sail-in again today. Very hot and steamy already.
The bay, Simpson’s Harbour, surrounded with volcanoes, one of which looks like black ash and still steaming from the caldera, the others covered with vegetation.
Berthed at the town of Rabaul which was not as primitive nor as dust covered as we were advised in the port guide.
So we went ashore after breakfast to view the souvenirs on offer along the street by the locals. Really not much else to see anywhere near the ship and much too hot and steamy to go too far. Just interesting to see and meet the locals and to actually set foot on such an unusual and remote place.
Spent the remainder of the day on board the ship. Some passing heavy showers just to keep things interesting.
Sailaway just about at dusk, more good views of the volcanoes and more showers.
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