Jul 24, 2007 - Dwarves, Witches & Warriors

We milled along, aiming ourselves more or less toward the PMV—public mini van—stop, Kevin stopping every fifteen feet or so to chat with people he knew. We looped around the perimeter of the green, past the police barracks where the humiliated force sat drawing up another plan, preparing their crowd-control implements, and then past the Lutheran Guesthouse's street. The road began to climb a low mountain and wound sharply so that we were soon overlooking the green. The students could still be heard shouting into their megaphones and the...

Jul 11, 2004 - Danger Will Robinson

We take the Ramu Highway south out of Madang. PMVs (Public Motor Vehicles; 15-seater minibuses) in various states of disrepair leave Madang in convoy, crammed with people, pigs and chickens; and cargo-allsorts - bananas, buai (betel nut) and sweet potato - on the roofs. They're headed to Lae on the south coast, or, like us, into the mighty Highlands of PNG's interior. This road is the only 'interstate' in the country, and, despite its extraordinary convolutions and steep pitch in parts, is mostly sealed and in good condition. For this leg...