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I am returning to PNG on the 14th. I leave
Seattle on the 10th.
I will go back to the Maneba Wharf in Finsch Harbor where I landed
the boat and walk the distance to Lae, which is about 85nm, together
with two Papuan friends. This should happen as soon as I can manage.
From Lae, I will leave in the company of my friend Norman Watts in
two separate kayaks, and paddle about 180nm along the shores due
southeast to Oro Bay. There are no roads of trails along that
stretch. This will happen in the latter half of October, lasting
about 3 weeks.
From Oro Bay, I will walk in the company of my friend Doug
Hilderbrand first inland to Kokoda, then over the Own Stanley range
using the historic Kokoda Trail south to Port Moresby. The total
distance covered from Solomon Sea to the Coral Sea will be about
130nm, getting us into Port Moresby by November 27.
My boat will be delivered to the Royal Papua Yacht Club in Port
Moresby from Lae by Steamships Shipping, the local stevedores of
Swire Shipping who have kindly become the logistics sponsor in PNG.
I hope to have the boat ready for departure in Port Moresby soonest.
I studied the winds a bit for El Nino years (this year is El Nino)
and for post La Nina years (last two years were La Nina), and did
not pick up a noticeable pattern. The only consistent pattern that
I seem to notice in the wind charts was that December winds
continued in the same manner as they do in November. Winds either
come from the west, or from the southeast. So depending, I may aim
for Thursday Island or try to get the boat to Cairns. Actual
landing may be somewhere between Cairns and Thursday Island. The
Great Barrier Reef will be a nail biter of course... |
