“Top-to-toe,” Mrs. Stormer told us as she put us to bed. My brother was in Dorian’s bed, I was sharing Damian’s bed. “This sucks.” I thought to myself silently as I lay there staring at Damian’s feet. Damien went off to sleep almost straight away. We probably talked for a little while but the other boys were soon asleep, too. The night had set in; it might have been about ten pm. Hell, I could not get to sleep! I heard Captain and Mrs. Stormer retire, Damien was asleep and I was restless. “Stuff this!” I thought, “I’m going back to the Inn.” I really missed it and all I could think about was my big comfy bed there and a delicious breakfast that awaited me the next day.

Quietly I got out of bed, unlatched the front door and started walking into the deep, dark New Guinea night with no idea where I was heading. “It, (the Inn) must be around here somewhere,” I fantasized, “It’s not that big a place, I’ll find it!”

The Cops, Dad and Mum

Moseying along in the dark night (PNG nights are pitch-black) I probably walked for about half an hour completely lost. Suddenly, a policeman appeared out of the black. “What are you doing, lad?” he asked. “I’m trying to get back to my hotel,” I answered truthfully. “Where are your parents?” he asked. He was such a nice policeman, not at all threatening, like ours. “I’ll take you back, you know you shouldn’t be here.” he cautioned. Next, he radioed for help from his lapel radio – he was out on the beat – as this was when law and order was working well in that country. Within minutes a police van arrived with six police in it. I guess a lost white boy was the crime of the night in Madang that night and they all wanted to be in on it.

The cop, his six colleagues and I drove back to Smuggler’s Inn with me, churlish, in the back of the van. I was delivered back to Dad and Mum who rang Captain Stormer straight away. I was in the dog house.

Bil Bil Village and Glorious Siar Island

Dad still wasn’t talking to me the next day but everyone was mocking me. I went and had a swim, in the fabulous swimming pool after breakfast, to lick my wounds. We all gathered at about ten, with the other guests, to head off to Bil Bil. Then lunch on nearby Siar Island was next. Siar Island is a short way from Madang; a tiny coconut palm island nested in blue waters with a white beach, and a popular destination for visitors.

Bil Bil village is a, “must-see,” if you visit Madang. It’s just amazing what the women of that village create. These are big, hand-paddled pots that are a perfect thing to take home. They are not corny or cheap.

That afternoon was spent splashing around on Siar Island and is one of my happiest memories. 

Image via Wikipedia

 Niugini Tales

The Sad Story of Christopher Robinson

Errol Flynn’s Century of Whoa!

The Ringer, the Riot and the Right Royal Visit

The Islands of Love and the Crocodile Pit

Goroka, the Mud Men and a Load of Trout