And so it ends....

Well, I am still in PNG as of writing but all packed and ready to go.

In a few days’ time I will be back in my own country where the locals are fairer. The roads much better .. without potholes. The power stays on. The quality of drinking water better. The phones work. There are malls and cinemas to pass the time away. In short, back to civilization!

During the farewell kaikai (dinner) that was organized for me by the institute.

Going back I can now reflect on what PNG was and how it has changed me as a person. Two full years of my life, obviously. A chance to prove wrong those who have thought I was crazy to come here, yes. CV and (bank account??) fattened up, yes. Another country, yes. An experience, of course. An adventure, certainly. A challenge, completed. An opportunity to see if I could cope, passed. A great time, indeed. The chance to meet a culturally diverse people, oh yes. A memory bank full of memories. And plenty of stories to tell my kids (we’ll see about that). Papua New Guinea was all of this and a lot more.

So as to what the future holds for me. Well for the next few weeks at least there are family and friends to see and be with and there is the frantic Christmas shopping experience to fulfil. Perhaps a trip to Singapore or Thailand with my mum in January. And after these then its pineapple and bananas all the way as I have already been offered a job by Dole Philippines.

And as to this blog, well thank you to all of you who have closely followed my (mis)adventures in PNG. I may not have known all of you or where you come from but thanks. It was certainly a pleasure writing for all of you.