'SINCERELY APOLOGISE,' means Something else.......

‘We Sincerely Apologise,’ means you’re EFFED!!!!

This is a sample of email sent by my administrations to the Airlines of PNG for the service that they were providing which is getting frustratingly worse each and every day – week in and week out!!!

What is happening I have no idea but you get reasons for delays and cancelations due to technical problems, shortage of aircrafts, pilots running out of flying hours etc; etc; etc - all sorts everyday now. Then to add salt to injury APNG get passengers fitted into aircrafts running another sector hoping for a round trip that never happens, luggage’s loaded onto aircrafts scheduled on a different sector (ensuring passengers will catch it at the other end), inform passengers 2 days after the flights are cancelled, change sector schedules and the list goes on………..of course poor Papua New Guineans having no other options of third level service provider had to just make do with this service. Need you be told about the airfare prices too………it’s as if you are paying to cross the continent in two places with premium overnight stays in the choicest of accommodations!!!!

Its getting bloody worse – to be honest it is coming to stage where loyal passengers are coming to loggerheads with the front office staff – even the odd isolated APNG agent (mind you this person is not a dedicated APNG employee – more self employed) get abused by his own local people for the ****up of APNG Operations.

So if you are sitting out there at the airport with an APNG ticket and the voice on the PA system goes, ’APNG sincerely apologises……blah, blah, blah etc,’ you know very well you are seriously ‘EFFED’ in a big way.

Sometimes you can just pick up the tone of embarrassment on the voice coming from the PA (this person knows it’s time to look for a better employer), and then there is the tone that comes on very smart and with a don’t-give-a-EFF attitude – this one has a very narrow brain space and has no other job options in life; the best he/ she can hope for is stay there until death crosses his/her path.

So spit back our money as quickly as you swallow it at the purchasing counter. Oh and SMILE while you are at it……………..

(Reservations) / Operations / Accounts,

Airlines PNG

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

We had only been informed on Mon.10th May that CG5373 ......... dated Friday 07th May '10 was cancelled without notice. It was very disappointing to us and the operating team as it has disrupted the Doctor's program and work scheduled to be carried out there. As well as that, the related logistics and costs incurred to get him in and out. We had people in the Aramia District all waiting for the distribution of medical supplies. ADI Doctors Australia has voluntarily provided such service to the people in remote communities of PNG. They might reconsider such services if frequent cancellation of flights was an issue here.

We hope that won't happen again but to look forward to a better consistant service in the near future.

Provided below is the copy of the ticket and we request for a refund for unflown sectors at your earliest please.

Thank you

----- Original Message -----

From:

To:

Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 10:26 AM

Subject: Emailing: Online Booking - Booking Confirmation (2)

Please do not respond to this email. e-ticket Itinerary, Receipt and Tax Invoice Airlines of Papua New Guinea Limited GT7584 We have made the following booking for you: Booking Reference: Date of Issue: 20/04/2010 10:23:25

CONTACT INFORMATION PASSENGER INFORMATION FLIGHT TICKET NUMBERS ETKT626 ................../01 ETKT626 ................../02 ETKT626 ................../03 Tel: POM TRAVEL/3213400/

DEPARTING: Date Fri 07May 10 All Times Local Flight-Number Cabin (book class) From: Kiunga Departure 12:15 CG 1311 Y (q) To: Daru Arrive 13:20 Rules Flight 1: CORPORATE ADVANTAGE (Q) Flight and date changes are permitted at any time and no change fee is payable. The new fare must be of equal or higher value than the original fare. If the fare for the new booking is higher than the original fare, the difference in fare must be paid at the time of changing the booking. Name changes are permitted at any time free of charge. Re-routing is not permitted. The fare is fully refundable (a refund administration fee of PGK110.00 or AUD50 per passenger applies) or the amount may be held in credit for further travel for up to 12 months from the date of issue of the original ticket. Full payment must be made within 24 hours of making the booking. Failure to check in for a PNG domestic flight by the deadline, not showing up for the flight (no show), or failure to board the aircraft after checking in for the flight will incur a fee of PGK165.00 or AUD85.00 per passenger payable at the time of rebooking, or deducted from any refundable fare amount. Children (2-11 years) pay 75% of the full adult fare. Infants (under 2 years) who do not occupy a seat travel free of charge. Infants occupying a seat pay 75% of the full adult fare. .

NEXT-FLIGHT: Date Fri 07May 10 All Times Local Flight-Number Cabin (book class) From: Daru Departure 15:05 CG 5373 Y (q) To: Awaba Arrive 15:35 Rules Flight 2: CORPORATE ADVANTAGE (Q) Flight and date changes are permitted at any time and no change fee is payable. The new fare must be of equal or higher value than the original fare. If the fare for the new booking is higher than the original fare, the difference in fare must be paid at the time of changing the booking. Name changes are permitted at any time free of charge. Re-routing is not permitted. The fare is fully refundable (a refund administration fee of PGK110.00 or AUD50 per passenger applies) or the amount may be held in credit for further travel for up to 12 months from the date of issue of the original ticket. Full payment must be made within 24 hours of making the booking. Failure to check in for a PNG domestic flight by the deadline, not showing up for the flight (no show), or failure to board the aircraft after checking in for the flight will incur a fee of PGK165.00 or AUD85.00 per passenger payable at the time of rebooking, or deducted from any refundable fare amount. Children (2-11 years) pay 75% of the full adult fare. Infants (under 2 years) who do not occupy a seat travel free of charge. Infants occupying a seat pay 75% of the full adult fare. .

NEXT-FLIGHT: Date Sat 15May 10 All Times Local Flight-Number Cabin (book class) From: Balimo Departure 11:45 CG 5352 Y (q) To: Kiunga Arrive 15:40 Rules Flight 3: CORPORATE ADVANTAGE (Q) Flight and date changes are permitted at any time and no change fee is payable. The new fare must be of equal or higher value than the original fare. If the fare for the new booking is higher than the original fare, the difference in fare must be paid at the time of changing the booking. Name changes are permitted at any time free of charge. Re-routing is not permitted. The fare is fully refundable (a refund administration fee of PGK110.00 or AUD50 per passenger applies) or the amount may be held in credit for further travel for up to 12 months from the date of issue of the original ticket. Full payment must be made within 24 hours of making the booking. Failure to check in for a PNG domestic flight by the deadline, not showing up for the flight (no show), or failure to board the aircraft after checking in for the flight will incur a fee of PGK165.00 or AUD85.00 per passenger payable at the time of rebooking, or deducted from any refundable fare amount. Children (2-11 years) pay 75% of the full adult fare. Infants (under 2 years) who do not occupy a seat travel free of charge. Infants occupying a seat pay 75% of the full adult fare. . PRICING PAYMENT Total of (1) Passengers Form of Payment Cheque Price PGK 1831.82 Payment Amount PGK 2025.00 Taxes and Charges PGK 193.18 Total Price PGK 2025 Agent Name: Agent ID: Agent Office: Port Moresby VERIFICATION STAMP (IF REQUIRED) ___________________________________

CHECK-IN TIMES
Check-in will open 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure time. You must check in NO LATER THAN 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. You will not be able to check in after this time. Arrival after this time, not showing up for the flight (no show), or failure to board the aircraft after checking in for the flight will result in loss of the fare with all fare types except Premium Economy (E class) and Corporate Advantage (Q class).

All In a Holiday

It was good to finally get a full 8 weeks spell back to my island home of Samarai after having been in and out usually 2 weeks at most the past two years.

The island had been experiencing heavy down pours for more than usual months that everyone on the island including the surounding islands were very frustrated.

I suppose the more frustrated ones were the mothers as most of their washing took longer to dry out and even if it did it had that wet feeling with it.......others couldn't bring in the garden kaikai to the market and fishermen were unable to get out to sea as much as they would have wanted to.

For the island itself - it was really and truly soaking wet; as wet as I had never seeing it before - so much water everywhere it flooded places that never experienced flooding.

Couple pics here to show the flooding:

The Catholic Catechist house - Paul Titus

The Arada's Family block

Samarai Oval Looking towards old Kinanale Guest House - (Dart Street)

Samarai Oval looking towards Area Manager's house

Grade 3 & 4 Classrooms flooded (School BOM Chairman Tom Togisi. on the left and Cyprian Kaisa, School PNC Chairman on the right)

Inside of Grade 4 classroom flooded

My first 4 weeks was in the rain as well and yes I was just getting to that point when sun started poking its face out and shined on the island so the next 4 weeks was good for me, plenty of sunshine, plenty of beaches, plenty of blue sea.

And I could go cruising on my prized racer bike.

On a positive note there have been some developments on the island - the government wharf with its surrounding sea walls has undergone major repairs and it is good see some improvements to the public amenities. Some pics here of the wharf:

We now have Digicel network on the island too, with the Digicel tower been erected on the mountain slope at Sariba just above Dagadaga and Sidudu Community School. So if you are out fishing, on Doini Island (I dont know if Ware Island can get the signal), Dekadeka, Gonubalala or anywhere on Samarai Island you can talk to the world. Only if the contractor that is supposed to refuel the gennies that powers the transmitter forgets to refuel or is late then the network blacks-out - which is becoming the usual already.

So I can do phone interviews whilst having a picnic:

I had a grand 4 remaining weeks on the island mostly just laying back and taking it slow before having come back to work.

Will be posting my adventerous long walk crossing the Gulf Province into the Western Province next including photos.

Science or God

This is a true life story of a man who believed in sciences and the Darwanian Theory of 'Evolution'.

Do you still really believe that science can create from its on 'discovered' material to 'put life' into a new independent being!!!!

I Was An Atheist

I STILL remember that day in the early nineteen-forties when I was just five years old. All the children and their parents in my hometown in central Sweden were invited to a Sunday-school feast. The children were asked to contribute to the program with some form of religious entertainment. Since I played the accordion, when it was my turn I struck up a popular waltz. My audience was not very enthusiastic. Afterward I was told that it was a sin to play such music and that I should feel ashamed.

Many times in my early childhood I was told that it was a sin to do certain things, but nobody told me why. Thus blind fear of God rather than love for him began to fill my heart. This fear made me shun religion, even though religious teaching was a prominent part of regular schooling. During my first years at school the so-called Bible lessons were more like imaginative tales. It was interesting to hear about the miracles of Jesus and his disciples, but I was never convinced that those things really happened.

Time for confirmation came when I was fourteen. It was my first close contact with a State Church priest. The only memory I have of him is that he was irritated, nervous and a chain smoker. Preparation for confirmation was more a matter of routine than an opportunity to establish faith in God and the Bible. On the day of confirmation I was far more excited at being a possessor of a new camera and a new suit than at being a partaker of the Holy Communion.

Belief in God Completely Dissolved

The following years at a senior high school did not strengthen my belief in God. The religious lessons were given by a priest who openly confessed that he did not believe all parts of the Bible, including the creation account. He said that the Bible was written by men, and therefore it should be read with a critical attitude, as one would read any other book. I found the evolution theory taught in biology lessons an acceptable alternative to the Bible’s account of creation. I learned in the study of modern history about the efforts of professed Christian nations to destroy one another. These things influenced me toward an atheistic attitude.

More faith-ruining experiences were to come. After graduating from senior high school, I was called up for military service. The army chaplain explained that war was a necessary evil. He said that a soldier was a servant of God because Jesus said that those who took the sword would perish by the sword, and there must be somebody to wield that other sword. He stressed that war was instituted by God as a means to realize the true religion. I thought: If Christianity is no better than that, I can do without

So that boy who had a disappointing experience at Sunday school grew up to become a young man fully convinced that religion is a fraud, and that modern science eliminates the need for God. I had experienced what many others have, and reacted much the same way as they do. I raised my forefinger and asked, “How could there be an Almighty, all-bountiful God up there when we have so much corruption and wickedness down here?” To me there was only one answer to that question: There is no God!

Marriage and Outlook on Life

This atheistic outlook naturally marked my manner of living. I married a girl with about the same attitude. Since the path from mother’s womb to the grave is so short, we reasoned, “Why not try to get as much as possible out of life while we are still young and vigorous!”

We did not look upon marriage as a very serious institution. We thought that morality must be a personal matter. The two of us could have fun together, but also apart whenever we liked. We thought we were really free. Our whole outlook on life was materialistic, and even my profession was of a materialistic kind. I was a systems analyst at a computer center in Stockholm. We assisted big companies to plan for future financial advancements.

An Unexpected Visitor

Then one spring day in 1963 someone rang our doorbell. I opened the door. A neatly dressed young man modestly introduced himself as a minister, one of Jehovah’s witnesses making calls to stimulate faith in God. My first thought was: “Poor fanatic, you’ve come to the wrong place.” But there was something about him that kept me from closing the door. He did not look like a fanatic. He appeared so normal, so natural, so relaxed. “All right,” I thought, “let me at least show this poor fellow that he has got hold of the wrong end of the stick.”

So I let him in. With my wife listening from the bedroom, I began to vent my indignation concerning God and religion. “How is it possible to believe in God when scientific research and logical reasoning cannot verify him?” I asked. I told him that most of the faith I had met in religion had been a desperate faith, a hypocritical faith, or a faith against better judgment. I showed him that Christianity must have failed, for it had not been able to stop corruption, wars and violence any more than paganism had.

I went on like that for quite a while, and when I thought that he had enough to consider me a “hopeless case” and prefer to leave, he just calmly nodded. He told me that he could well understand my opinion and that it was shared by many persons nowadays. That took some of the sting out of my argument, and I could see that this was not the first time he had run into a discussion of this type. So with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism I let him speak.

Christendom Not the Same as Christianity

He told me that we first had to distinguish between true and false worship before we could judge the matter. He said that even if so-called Christianity proved to be false and unreliable, it did not mean that there is no true and reliable Christianity. “There is a great difference between Christendom and Christianity,” he said. “Christianity cannot be condemned by what Christendom says or does.”

Pointing to the distinction between Christendom and true Christianity, he observed: “It is true that Christendom has suppressed people, but not Christianity; that Christendom has waged war, but not Christianity; that Christendom has failed to stop the moral breakdown, but not Christianity. The Bible does not support Christendom. On the contrary, it prophetically condemns Christendom.

“Just consider how Christendom has misrepresented the Lord’s Prayer,” he continued. “She has prayed: ‘Our Father which art in heaven,’ but she has not practiced interracial brotherhood. She has prayed for God’s name to be sanctified, but she has not even acknowledged that God has a name. She has prayed for God’s kingdom to come, but she has patriotically supported her own kingdoms. She has prayed for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven, but she has sought to carry on her own worldly policy. She has prayed for her daily bread, but how willing has she been to share her abundance of ‘bread’ with starving people? She has asked God to forgive her her debts and sins, but how ready has she been to forgive and forget in her own conflicts with others?”

I certainly noticed that this young man was not smoothing things over, shutting his eyes to facts or twisting things like most other religious persons with whom I had discussed this matter. To be honest, I had to agree on these points as they well reflected my own experiences. But I wasn’t going to become a believer that easily. The mere failure of Christendom did not prove anything about the existence of God. So I raised the question: “How is it possible for modern man to believe in God when scientific research and logical reasoning cannot verify him?”

“That question I would like to take up with you next week,” he said.

His Second Visit

I had nearly forgotten about the whole thing when the Witness called back. With my wife again listening from the bedroom, the discussion began. At the outset I declared my belief in evolution, and I felt backed up by the whole scientific world. However, it seemed as though he had given this considerable thought, for he said that it was important to make some distinctions as far as science is concerned.

“On the one hand,” he said, “there is the science that discovers, observes and describes facts about nature. Such science does not in any way conflict with belief in God as creation’s great Originator. On the other hand, there is the so-called science that interprets and tries to explain the origin of things by means of hypotheses and theories. Such science often denies a Divine Originator. A true Christian believes in exact science, which discovers, observes and describes facts, but he cannot unhesitantly take a hypothesis or a theory for granted, let alone build his outlook on life upon it.”

I had to admit that I had not considered evolution as only a theory, which, of course, it is. But I still felt that it must be a rather probable theory, and I told him so.

Chance or Creation

The Witness then made me agree that if we excluded an Intelligent Originator behind creation, we would have to rely upon chance as the guiding factor in creation. “How probable is chance?” he asked.

“Well, there is something called calculus of probability to solve that problem, “I replied, feeling more on my home ground.

“Yes, and let us take an example of such a calculation,” he said. He picked up a magazine from his briefcase, and read: “Another scientist computed the probability of a single protein molecule (one of the molecules essential for life) arising out of chance. As stated in the book Human Destiny, it would take 10 to the 243d power [1 followed by 243 zeros] billions of years for this to happen! Since scientists estimate the age of the earth to be a few billion years, there would not have been enough time for this to occur!”

He paused to let this sink in thoroughly, and then read on: “The same scientist says: ‘One molecule is of no use. Hundreds of millions of identical ones are necessary . . . If the probability of appearance of a living cell could be expressed mathematically the preceding figures would seem negligible.’”

“If that is so, “I said, “how do you explain that so many scientists believe in evolution?”

“You certainly use the right word when you say they believe in it, because they cannot prove it,” he replied.

“But their belief must be better founded than your belief in God,” I protested.

“Imagine,” he said, “that the most skilled scientist in the world could handle molecules like a bricklayer handles bricks, and that he only had a pile of protein molecules to work with. Do you believe that he could build a cell of hundreds of millions of such molecules? Could he make it live, grow, propagate and leave to its offspring its own, and only its own, characteristics? You know that he couldn’t.

“But, according to atheistic belief, that which not even the most skilled human intelligence can achieve, occurred by mere chance. How well founded is such a belief? The only conclusion is that those who believe in it must have an extreme desire to believe in one direction, and to refuse to believe in another direction.”

When the young Witness left that night, I did not know what position I would take in the coming discussion. Anyhow, he left the Awake! of April 22, 1963, that he had quoted from, and I decided to read it to see what deficiencies it might contain. However, as I read I became more and more impressed by the logical reasoning in the material, and it really made me do some rethinking.

Man—Wonderfully Made

Our discussions went on week after week. I can still remember when we discussed how wonderfully man is made. It was indeed sobering to consider our human body of billions of living cells constructed in such a fantastic way to cooperate harmoniously in all its parts. And to think, too, of its ability to love, rejoice, think, discover, remember, reproduce and to express its inmost thoughts and feelings by means of the spoken and written word, smiles and tears, song and music and spontaneous or carefully planned actions.

This discussion made me realize what a tremendously vast gulf there is between unconscious life and conscious life, not to mention between a protein molecule and man. It finally created in me a desire to have someone to admire and thank for all this, someone higher than merely what can be seen around us.

A Changed Way of Life

After some time I agreed to study the Bible with the Witness. This, opened up new fields of evidence for the existence of God. The historical accuracy of the Bible, its harmony, its elevated style, the fulfillment of its prophecies and God’s purpose for man and the earth—all this made a deep impression upon me as time passed.

My wife, who so often had eavesdropped in the bedroom, soon began to take part in the study. After a few months we began to attend the meetings at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The time also came when we attended one of their assemblies. Here we met a group of Christians forming a great family of many nationalities, of all ages, of different professions and social backgrounds, but free from dissensions and antagonism. The faith and activity they have in common unite them in a fellowship of which we could hardly have dreamed.

We began to find new meaning in life, increasing its value to us. A wonderful future opened up. Our newfound faith made us dependent upon God, instead of upon ourselves. This dependence became a corrective in our lives, and this has been a real blessing. It has helped us to become mentally and, as a result, physically clean. Our marriage has become more stable, more important to us. We have established full confidence in each other, and feel much better equipped to bring up our little son. Having made over our thinking, and dedicating our lives to Jehovah God, we feel a closeness to God as a real Person.

This is no sentimental idealization built on a desperate faith or a hypocritical faith or a faith against better judgment. It is a reality built on a balanced, genuine and well-founded belief in God. That is why I now can say: I was an atheist, but I will never be one again.—Contributed.

Samarai Anglican Church

Samarai Island was declared as a Heritage Island by the Government of Papua New Guinea in 2006. The Prime Minister, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare at the time when making this declaration, vowed that all historical sites, monuments or buildings would be restored. I believe that was one of many reason's why the Samarai Restoration Committee was established as well (I am still trying to get hold of the Declaration paper by the PM then and will post it as soon as its available).

Since then, very little has been heard about the Samarai Restoration Committee or its activities. We do know however that one member (a permanent island resident, Mr. Ernie Evernett) pulled out of the committee as he says, 'it was nothing but talking rubbish and drinking beer at Alotau in all meetings his attended.'

The island lost it's monumental Catholic Church structure (its the blue building with slates of glass almost obscured by the white house) some many years back. The island inhabitants at the time where a bit backward, communications unlike now, tourism an unknown venture and most probably the Government and 'the Church' most ignorant. I really don't know which but still we lost the original Catholic Church building.

The Anglican Church on Samarai Island has a history of its own. The architecture of a bygone era and a monument in itself. Infact it is the oldest building and the last of its kind on the island (I believe).
History has it that during the second world war when all buildings were put on and razed with fire for fear of the mpending Japanese invasion - the Anglican Church was the only building that did not catch burn down (although was set alight too) and eventually was the only building left standing. Of course, the Japanese never once came near the island (and when it did, they dropped two bomb sticks that completely missed the island) nor was the island bombed to simmering as was often 'mistakenly' penned by latter Pacific war historians.

Until 4 months ago, the Anglican parishioners practically stopped holding services in the building as the slates on the roofs were literally falling inside the building.
Three weeks ago, the parishioners got word that the Cardinal General of Anglican Church will visit Samarai and will do a 'Reconsecration' of the Church/ building.

This means he will officially declare the removal of all items holy from the building. Church services are and will now be held in the rectory next door.

What about the monumental building?

We are told that the building will be left to fall into pieces all on its own - it will not even be pulled down.

The 'working group' are currently making arrangements to make contact with the Vice Chancellor of University of Technology (who once lived on the island himself) to utilise it's architect/ engineering department (students) to help in renovating the building to its old self.

Following pictures of the building taken only recently (17th March 2010) will tell the true state of the building:

Samarai Reunion, Samarai

Recently, and only just now a 'working group' was formed made up of a core group of seven (7) people identified & nominated (who will have voting rights) with memberships open to anyone (residents & or ex-residents) that are interested, have links to the island (whether real or imaginary) but most of all "especially has the heart for Samarai Island, China Strait and the neighbouring islands & mainland communities.

Interested memberships has no voting power (by the way) when it comes to making decisions about anything or everything that comes before this core 'working group' BUT can of course contribute positively on ideas, suggestions, critiscisms etc during meetings.

The core group of seven (7) have a couple of things in common:

1. they are permanent full time residents on the island making Samarai Island their home.

2. are concerned about the general up keep of the island

3. are aware that sitting on their backside and watching the island plus some historical monuments fall apart is hypocritical.

A profile of each of the individuals will be posted at a later time when all relevant interviews/information are collated and approved by the group as correct (I do not want to be sued for posting wrong and degrading profile descriptions!!). Names of the core seven are listed at the end of this post including the three (3) people nominated as treasury/ book keepers who are by default identified as signatories to the bank account that will be open shortly (Bank account is not openned yet at the time of this post).

Pity I am unable to post a copy of the first meeting minutes on today (as I honestly do not know how to do that yet) but if anyone is interested to look-see the copy of the meeting minutes - email me or post your comment with an email address and I will forward to you in PDF format (so you dont change anything!!)

The aim of the group is:

1. raise awareness of the state of the island and it's surrounding island communities,

2. promote it's history including sites of historical significance

3. promote tourism activities

4. co-ordinate/ manage small project activities that it nominates to fund and do

5. liaise with those living elsewhere concerning their interests, links to the area

6. facilitate information

Note that the group does not see itself as replacing the district tourism authority, the government or the Samarai restoration committee for that matter. It will be non political, non religious, non profit and would be as informal as possible in its activities which mostly be basic and otherwise complementing the bigger picture of the said authorities or bodies.

The groups name identified during the meeting is Samarai Reunion, Samarai (with a comma) and during its first meeting also nominated WestPac Bank, Alotau as its banking facility.

And now shall I introduce names of the core seven (7) who have the voting rights and will drive us all. note that non of them will have official titles as all agreed in the meeting that this is an informal group and having titles is bullshit. Leadership is naturally following the seniority as it is on the island, of course we have other senior citizens that the core group can refer to as and where need be. The names without further ado:

1. Ernie Evernett - longtime resident, self employed (marine/ boats)

2. Rodney Abaijah - longtime resident, brother to former MP Josephine Abaijah

3. Maggie Tanaka - longtime resident who just loves Samarai Island

4. Maggie Sigamata - longtime resident, self employed (runs Samarai island Canteen)

5. John H. Marco - resident for the past 27 years, self employed (fuel servicing)

6. Paul Titus - former councillor (3 terms) and a very active youth coordinator.

7. Betty Andrew - born, raised and married on Samarai, current councillor, active youth coordinator;

The treasury/ book keeping team of three (3) whom are also signatories to the (yet to be openned) bank account are:

1. Carter Tanaka - wife of Richard Tanaka, longtime resident

2. Mary Abaijah - wife of Rodney Abaijah, longtime residents

3. Cypirian Kaisa - husband to Maggie Sigamata, self employed.

And lastly, ME MYSELF & I am the unofficial scribe, link, mail boy between you interested ones out there and the group on Samarai Island itself as I rotate back to Samarai Island from work breaks often enough as I live there.

Also there is TOBY AIWATI (facebook, emails etc) who can do the same I am sure as he also travels back to Samarai quite often too as he is a resident of Samarai.

The groups first priority right now is to raise awareness to everyone and anyone out there about the historical monument - Anglican Church building on Samarai Island.

Briefly, we have been recently informed that the Cardinal General of Anglican church will be visiting Samarai Island with the view to 'RECONSECRATE' (I believe the term is) the Anglican church (which means take everything holy i.e alters, the cross, holy water basins etc) and llet the building fall piece by piece. All Anglican Church services will be held in the rectory next door.

More of this with pictures in the next post........................................stay tuned!!!!

Learning By 'Trial & Error'

Only just, ooooonly just, have I learnt how to put my movies/videos on the internet - a process at sometime back had me scratching my head and biting my finger nails; at the time it seemed very complicated but then ev'ry other 'Tom-Dick-Harry & Sally' I know from somewhere I met via facebook, interpals, twitter, etc were onto it. Time, especially daylight hours and late evenings before bedtime were against me and very very elusive. Could not catch enough of it........................and all of a sudden BANG - two hours of surfing aimlessly, looking out for nothing, 'finger banging this type pad......and ........Walahhh, look what mess I got myself into - a bloody honeypot. My own jackpot.

By the way before I forget (I should have mentioned this right on the top, before unfolding the whole story, don't yu think?) - I must say I learnt ALL this purely by 'trial and error'.

Even the movies I had to make and dubb music and transition patterns and write accolades into were 'ONLY JUST LEARNT'.

The 'hand-me-down' digital camera too - I'm only just discovering the intricacies of it (and I'm like, maaaaan, why would someone give away such a handy little thing???). Mind blowing. Actually got it for free too and I have never ever, in my entire working, travelling, tramping life bothered to have one let alone own one - I got one - ABSOBLOODYLUTELY FREEE.

So my stretch limo to take you on that preview is THIS BLOG - "DaDog's Playground"....................here, I am going to put some of the pictures I took of the places I've been to not because I want to do photography but simply 'traim tasol'.

Pics do say much, but I have no bloody idea what I am doing here or what this is all about - I am just writing a blog about nothing. But that's the point - I write about nothing and you read about something!!!

some pics in order maybe and I will try describe what its all about, hoping you can get the same mood am in with the picture --