Snow capped mountain in PNG

No of course it aint snow...its ash and hot ash at that. Still errupting from Mt Tavavur (Rabaul). It first lifted its lid in 1994 to devastating effect, wiping the beautiful little seaside city of Rabaul literally off the map.

I was lucky enough to visit a few days ago. Its surreal, errie to drive the now desolate streets, drive down the once perfect runway and look straight ahead at the still smoking volcano, defiantly spewing her ash high.

The main street is now nothing more than a thick layer of ash.

The old runway. Now looks like a landing strip for a day trip to Mars.

These trees amazed me. Still standing but like giant toothpicks.

But the people of East New Brittain province are super resilient. They with the help of the World Bank and an energetic business community, provincial government just decided to take a very bad situation and make it better. They relocated to Kokopo - a gorgeous seaside town just down the road. This is the bustling, very clean and safe market place.

I love to see bravery in the face of adversity in action. Rabaul and Kokopo communities are a must see and an inspiration.