(Friday, 9/25) We arrived safely at Lae at about 5:30 this morning without a single incident and the first rays of sunlight breaking over the horizon. Bruce drove the bus while Tony, sitting in the front passenger seat, held a spotlight out the window. He shined it on the road to look out for potholes, and on the sides of the road to look out for bandits. As we crossed narrow one-lane bridges, we watched carefully for missing bridge plates – another bandit ploy and another unique PNG experience.
As we left the rascal territory and descended from the highlands, we entered a region of sharp switchbacks, washed-out roads and deep ditches. At one point, as we slowly crossed a section of washed-out road, the bus swayed far to the right, then far to the left, as if it might roll on its side. Once we cleared the mountain pass, it was easy driving – especially for those of us resting in the back.
After a short flight to Port Moresby and a four hour layover, we made our nearly four hour flight to Sydney, Australia, where we had dinner and a short bus tour by Mario (a friend of Tony) and his wife Caroline. Our travels have been good and God continues to bless us with the fellowship of his people. We continue our return trip tomorrow morning: on to Auckland, NZ.
As we left the rascal territory and descended from the highlands, we entered a region of sharp switchbacks, washed-out roads and deep ditches. At one point, as we slowly crossed a section of washed-out road, the bus swayed far to the right, then far to the left, as if it might roll on its side. Once we cleared the mountain pass, it was easy driving – especially for those of us resting in the back.
After a short flight to Port Moresby and a four hour layover, we made our nearly four hour flight to Sydney, Australia, where we had dinner and a short bus tour by Mario (a friend of Tony) and his wife Caroline. Our travels have been good and God continues to bless us with the fellowship of his people. We continue our return trip tomorrow morning: on to Auckland, NZ.
