Alotau, Papua New Guinea

As I type this, I am in Guadalcanal, watching it rain cats and dogs ("chucking down" as the English would say).  Absolutely no way to go out to see the sights of this historic World War II field of battle, or to learn of the Solomon Islanders' ways of life..... unless you are a duck.

So I am going to play catchup, and take you, dearies, to a delightful day a few days ago, when we called in Alotau, Papua New Guinea. 

Good Morning!! What a greeting awaited us when we docked!

Precious!

My tour made three stops.  First to the aptly named "High Town".

Alotau is situated on Milne Bay (pronounced "Millen"), and was the sight of the first major battle of the Pacific in World War II.

We were treated to kids in traditional dress. 

Y'all know me...this is as close to this kid I got.... and that's with my telephoto lens...

Children are children the world over.  This little one loves stickers as much as Maddie Jane does.

Next stop, Middle Town!  Cameron Secondary School.   Our guide, Elizabeth, is a 9th grade boarder at the school, and wants to be an aeronautical engineer (STEM baby!!!)

Classrooms are very neat and well-cared for, the students polite and welcoming.

Ok, just a word of caution.  In Papua New Guinea, bare breasts are no big deal, but it is a woman's thighs that are the "thing"...so please don't be offended...

We were treated to demonstrations of local crafts and daily tasks.  Watching these ladies' hands was like poetry in motion, the speed and skill they displayed weaving mats, baskets and skirts.

And then some very talented local dancers demonstrated various hunting dances.

I really wouldn't want to run into "cannibals" like these... Their very red tongues come from chewing betel nut.

Looks fiercesome...

 But in actually, harmless.

Ada and Elizabeth...

Final stop, the local market in Bottom Town- betel nuts to bananas.

Shy but friendly- absolutely wonderful folks!