on paying last respects...

It is done.  I have bought my tickets to hong kong for less than 24 hours. Almost 14 months has gone past since I last set foot on the land which I had more than 3 years of memories of.  But why less than 24 hours? Alas, a lot of things have indeed happened and changed.  Not all bad, but not all good either.

I have decided to go to pay my last respects to the person who was pretty much part of my life for more than 3 years.  She took me shopping, showed me how to cook her famous dishes, included me in the family vacations.  In one shape or form, like it or not, she had a hand in making me what I am today.

Still not sure whether it's the best idea as yet.  But I think of the alternative, and for now, I don't think I can choose not to go.

Manus

Manus is the smallest province in Papua New Guinea and made up of many small islands.  It is reputedly beautiful with colorful marine life and clear waters.  Unfortunately, it is facing serious threats of coastal flooding and/or sinking islands from rising sea levels.

Off to Manus for the next 6 days for work...wish me luck!

alotau, milne bay

Gorgeous breakfast view from Ulumani Treetop Lodge overlooking the top of the trees

Lonesome church on top of the hill on Kwato Island

Kids fishing on the old pier of the once glorious capital -- Samarai Island

Smiling kids playing near a shipwreck at Waga Waga

Blue shallow waters and an abandoned pier on Kwato Island

Massive raintree (read: Avatar-like!) next to makeshift rugby field in Waga Waga

around the world...

I left in the middle of July for 4 weeks of travel with the full honest intention to blog everyday and to fossilize the different experiences and observations.  Well, someone should have told me that blogger (and facebook!) does not work in China =S.  Internet was harder to come by then I had expected, and I had completely underestimated how tired I would be at the end of each day.  I didn't get too far after Day 10 or so.  After 30 days across Hangzhou-Shanghai-Nanjing-Beijing-Milan-Portofino-Rome-Phuket-Seoul-Singapore, it is extremely painful to go back to work!

Guess where I am now?