Kiriwina Island

Fortunately by the time we reached Kiriwina we were cleared to land in PNG - the Kiriwina people no doubt benefiting from money not spent in Rabaul. Not a lot of us had Kina, as many passengers had expected to change currency in Rabaul. So lots of locals wanted to exchange currency.

The western shore, near the main town, Losuia, is too shallow for a cruise ship to safely navigate so this landing, near a small village at the northern tip, is the setting for staged tourist entertainment and sales.  I was reminded that even in Sydney tourists are introduced to Aboriginal Australia with professional entertainers providing didgeridoo performances.  This would not be the last time we would see 'traditional' dancing on this trip.

Dancing for the tourists
 

Interestingly, to me at least, Queen Elizabeth does not drop anchor. She holds station precisely using global positioning and her electric motors. The two stern Azipods can be turned in any direction and combined with the bow thrusters she sits perfectly still, without turning or drifting to the tide; currents; or the wind. The only concession to a high wind is a slight heel (tilt) to port or starboard.

The ship didn't swing to the tide and had no moorings or anchors
 

In the afternoon Wendy and I had a practice snorkel and enjoyed it. The coral was dead and white crumble off the beach but there were some colourful fish.