14 Oct 2014

Kavieng and the Paradise Drongo

The birders woke at 0330 this morning to find the Spirit of Enderby safely anchored in Kavieng Harbour and a spectacular electrical storm out to sea. They were ferried ashore at 0400 and transferred to the Lelet Plateau where the morning was spent exploring the higher elevations of New Ireland. Their early rise was rewarded with excellent views of the Paradise Drongo. The rest of us had a slightly more leisurely morning, going ashore after breakfast to be greeted by a Malagan cultural performance at 0800. After the entertainment, many of the group enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the shores of Nusa Island, stopping off from time to time to talk to the locals. Others ventured into Kavieng itself to check out the markets (see below) and wander through the town.

While everyone tucked into lunch, the ship repositioned so we could spend the afternoon snorkelling off a lovely little beach. With plenty of fish and coral life close to shore, this was a very pleasant experience that could be enjoyed by all. Several large rainstorms threatened in the late afternoon but slid away without reaching us as we sailed through Stephenson's Strait bound for Rabaul. The evening meal was lit by the most spectacular sunset of the trip so far!