A Holiday to Remember

It is always encouraging to welcome visitors from Switzerland. We have realised that it is hard for most people to really understand how life in Papua New Guinea is, despite our efforts to explain. Once somebody actually sets foot on PNG soil, things are quite different than they imagined – but suddenly it all makes sense.
Because of that, we were pleased to have Madeleine's mother and her two sisters visit at the beginning of February. So, they had the chance to experience first hand what it means to live in Telefomin. And our kids had the chance to see their grandmother, aunts, and godparents in person. Obviously, we used this unique opportunity to do some special things, and then added some holidays at the sea.
Following some pictures:

Hiking in Telefomin

Training to become a selfie pro

Moser sisters with our local guide

Jungle as far as you can see

Destination: Wara Sol

Well earned rest

... and back through the jungle again

Travelling is easier this way: flying to Wewak

Wewak: view from our holiday home

Wewak town black

Waiting for the big wave

Holiday treat: coffee smoothy

Wewak Boutique Hotel: soaking in the pool

Travelling in the 9-seater pickup

Reading, reading, reading, ...

Relaxation pur

On the way back home: transfer in Tari

Caravan Training Revisited

February saw Irwin Hodder returning to Telefomin to continue with my Caravan Training. Irwin is an ex MAF, Qantas, and Australian Airforce Pilot and it goes without saying that I could learn a lot from him. We started with airstrips in the Western Province, so I had a chance to return to Rumginae for several days and meet up with a lot of MAF agents at the different strips. It is encouraging to see that they are excited to see me still flying in their area. And kinda weird if you get greeted with your name  in the middle of the jungle.
Now I have finished the first phase of the in-country training, with me being checked to line and theoretically ready to go on my own. However, there is first a time of supervised consolidation of what I have learned, before I am allowed to truly fly on my own. But before we get started with that we are enjoying a family holiday at the beaches of Wewak.

With Irwin in the cockpit of the Caravan MAF

Caravan MAH after our flight to Wewak for family holidays

Mike Alpha India

In July we told you about the big move to a single aircraft type for MAF PNG. This has now started with the arrival of MAI (Mike Alpha India) the first new Cessna Caravan out of six. And yes, we are excited. Read following article published by MAF PNG of the plane's ferry flight, it's dedication, and it's first operational day.

Click here to read the story as PDF

A New King

In Switzerland we celebrate Epiphany, the day the three wise men (or Kings in Switzerland) visited Baby Jesus. It is on the 6th of January and marks the day when we as a family put our Christmas decoration away. After that the Christmas season is officially over.
On Epiphany Swiss bake or buy a bread made of sweet dough that is formed from small pieces stuck together in a circle. In one of those pieces hides a small King or Queen and whoever gets that piece is crowned King/Queen for the day. Well, this time Markus was elevated to the position of monarch in the Bischoff family, though his powers remained very limited.

Kings' Cake with self-made crown from 2015

It is hard to look dignified, despite an elaborate crown from Joelle