Pana Pompom 28th July

www.kanaloa55.com
David & Valerie Dobson
Wed 28 Jul 2010 01:33

10:46.11S 152:22.79E

28th July 2010

 

Pana Pompom – Customs clearing island

Swanky & Pilot.jpg

Swanky arrived here the day before, not feeling secure in the deeper 25 Metre depth lagoon of Kamatal with all their chain out in strong winds.  This anchorage at Pana Pompom is used by the pilot boats to bring in the pilots helping ships through the main Louisiades reef entrance, both from Australia and going to Australia. 

Tatenaya Marau Customs Boat.jpg

This old Japanese fishing boat is used to accommodate the Customs man who checks in the Australian pilots, fees them and accommodates them until they get aboard a ship going to Mackay.  I think it must be very unpleasant inside, so a better Australian ship is about to be delivered to them this weekend. 

Jack, Customs man checks us in.jpg

We were lucky enough to have Jack on board, the customs official, who asked his boss back in Alotau, the island close up against mainland PNG, if he could check our three yachts in.  Normally he only checks in the pilots coming from Australia on the ships.  Thankfully he was given permission to do so, which saved us a lot of time not having to sail the extra two days over to Alotau and back against the wind.

Beaching the dinghy.jpg

We took the dinghy ashore with another couple, Phil and Pam on board Namarantha, who have been coming to the Louisiades for the past 7 years, and made up their own pilot guide for yachties.

Nivani Island.jpg

We clambered over the volcanic stones to a sandy beach on the other side of the island, this photo shows Nivani island opposite, where we dived next day to see the wreck of a Zero Japanese World War Two plane which had been shot down by the Australians.  This area was used as a base by the Japanese during WW2.

Refuge hut, Panapompom.jpg

Some of these refuge huts were of a more interesting design,, possibly used for smoking the fish, as there are no windows.

Churchman's garden.jpg

By contrast, this well kept garden is owned by the local clergyman and his wife

Walk in Panapompom.jpg

A walk across the island along a well used path through the areas being used for clearing to grow useful plants ended up being rather wet, Ollie had to use a banana leaf to shelter himself from the deluge

Banana leaf umbrella.jpg

Owena was going to come and fetch us with her umbrella, but had no idea where we’d gone!

D in S'wester.jpg

This is the first time David had worn his Sou’wester head gear to drain the rain down his back whilst sailing over to this island the day before.

D & O wet gear.jpg

A soggy arrival, but calm – so relaxing after all the wind we’d had for 3 weeks!

8 to dinner.JPG

We had Pam and Phil to dinner to thank them for arranging with customs our checking in, together with Andre, Kenny and Norbie from Swanky.

Baggi Necklace man.jpg

This man is wearing a ‘Baggi’ necklacce, made from cutting small discs of multi coloured shells.  They are used as currency in these islands, there hardly being any shops around.   Trading is the main method of obtaining items they need.

watching plantform.jpg

The family sit around on the platform, watching us watching them!

Yam shoot.jpg

The boy sitting is cracking nuts fallen from the tree with a stone.  They taste a little like raw chestnuts.

Boys clan.jpg

Big boys baby sitting for their sibblings