Seeing

Recently we visited the National Orchid Garden. There were some truly magnificent orchids on display.

These curly ones were my favourite variety.

There is a lot of public art around Port Moresby. However, most of it is too difficult to photograph from the car – a lot of the sculptures are in the centre of roundabouts and it is too dangerous to stop. But the National Orchid Garden did have some art that was easy to photograph.

Then we went next door to the Wildlife Sanctuary, which really just has birds. They have a breeding programme for birds of paradise, but my favourite bird of the visit were these.

Victorian Crested Pigeons. They are about the size of chickens and live in the undergrowth of rainforests. There was once a great market for their head feathers which were used to decorate the hats of fashionable ladies.

Today Gorgeous Girl had a school free day, much to her disgust. This was due to the government strike and planned protest march. Other international schools in Port Moresby also closed as marches sometimes have the tendency to turn violent making travel on the roads dangerous. Gorgeous Girl and I have spent a quiet day at home.

Living in an emerging economy requires organisation and patience. A hoarding tendency also helps (if you see something you use a lot of it pays to buy several packets and stock up since things do disappear from the shelves for periods of time). Our power is pre-paid so I need to keep an eye on the metre to make sure that it doesn’t run out.

I’m beyond thrilled that I have gas to cook with, but I need to make sure that I have a bottle of gas on hand. Yesterday I noticed that our gas bottle was getting rather low, so I went and paid for the biggest bottle I could buy (this way it should last me for almost a year). It was to be delivered to the house. When it arrived I’d been given the smallest bottle available.  So this morning Gorgeous Girl and I went back and spoke to the gentleman who took my receipt yesterday (you pay in one location and deliver your receipt to another location who organises delivery) who assured me that they would come and collect the smaller bottle and deliver the big one. It’s now 4.45 pm and I’m still waiting. I’ll go back tomorrow and every day thereafter until it is rectified. There is a significant price difference between the two gas bottles so it’s worth following up.

Speaking of waiting. I think I have found an internet company who can connect me with internet in the house. They were supposed to come yesterday to see if their wireless signal could reach our house. Still waiting. I’ll be chasing that up tomorrow as well.

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