Blogs from Oceania - page 7823

PNG News #11: Bougainville Crisis explained Some of the instructors that I work with blame the current failing economy on the Bougainville crisis. Both the closing of the profitable foreign owned copper mine and the national funds required to help establish law and order have cost the country dearly. Bougainville people are distinctive looking. Many consider other Papua New Guineans brown skinned not black like themselves and would like to establish an independent nation. Some of my colleagues believe that this will lead to other provinces wanting the same and the dissolution of the nation building. Br Pat Howley, fms - Reasons for the Crisis - Peter Mekia This story was posted on January 9, 2002 This week's story comes from Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. Nasioi is a major language group in Central Bougainville. The Chairman ... read more

An early start today, as we made our way on to the coach. It was all a bit exciting as we hit the road. We started with a drive around Christchurch, and the weather was fine this morning. After a stop at “Mona Vale”, a lovely garden, we headed off to the Canterbury Plains. As we drove along, the clouds began to disappear and the sun peeped through. The Canterbury Plains went on and on for miles, with large hedges cut from rows of full-sized pine trees, used to protect livestock from the severe winter winds. In the distance to the west we could see the mountains getting closer, with a few being snow-covered. A stop for morning tea and some shopping at the "Tin Shed", then it was off to Lake Tekapo. We stopped to ... read more

We awoke this morning to a cold, wintry day. After a breakfast of Mexican Omelette at Sophie’s Restaurant down the street, we caught the local bus into town. We wandered around Cathedral Square, taking photos in the rain, and had a look around the information centre, bumping into Lena and Dominic. A Rogan Josh pie and glass of red wine at the Taj Mahal restaurant, looked like a good idea, and after lunch, with the rain still pouring down, we decided to give it a miss and head back to the hotel for a rest. Six-thirty saw us in the hotel restaurant, sitting with Lena and Dominic, enjoying a Welcome Dinner (in buffet style) with the other members of our Coach Tour. We enjoyed a pleasant evening, with a pianist playing in the background. We met ... read more

A trip to Oz is not complete without the obligatory stint of fruit picking. So we headed for the riverland. Berri here we come! We stayed for a week at the most amazing hostel ever, it had a swimming pool, football pitch, volleyball court, yoga room, gym, games room, treehouses, hammocks and not forgetting Wiggo’s famous Saturday night barbecues! Only fitted in 2 mornings picking grapes ‘cos lazing around at the hostel was far more appealing, and anyway picking fruit is no holiday!!!... read more

What has six million rivets and weighs in at 52,800 tons? It’s the Sydney Harbor Bridge. We climbed its 42 story height, carefully planting over 1400 steps to the top. The bridge climb lived up to its reputation as a top notch, must do experience. After outfitting us in uniforms, radio headsets, hats and rain gear, we practiced on an indoor mock-up. Then off we went, clipped on to a special harness rail below the handrails of the bridge. The views from the top and the stories about the harbor were well worth it. Our calves were pretty sore for the next few days. I often tell everyone that “good weather follows me everywhere” and this was very evident in New Zealand. After visiting Auckland, Christ Church, and Dunedin, we spent the day cruising through the ... read more