6 to 10 November - Rabaul Town (Papua New Guinea)

This is a photograph of Rabaul after the earthquake in 1997. The grey parts to the top left are areas covered in volcanic ash with the 'aeroplane' shape being where the old airstrip used to be. The house that we used to live in is under the area covered by the ash. The volcano to the top of the photograph is still very active and is the one I climbed to the top. 

Simpson Harbour from the Observatory 

The volcanoes from Kokopo 

The Rabaul group of volcanoes is one of the most active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea and is very dangerous. It is located on the north-eastern end of New Britain Island and is the eastern most volcano in the Bismark arc. The caldera has an elliptical form being 14 km by 9 km in size and is surrounded by a steep volcanic ridges several hundred metres high.

Inside the Tavurvur Volcano

Inside the Tavurvur Volcano

From the top of the volcano towards Rabaul

From the top of the volcano showing the old airstrip

Hot springs at the sea edge

Hot springs at the sea edge

Rabaul Cathedral 

Inside Rabaul Cathedral where fresh flowers are put on the alter still even though the cathedral is no longer used

The remains of the Electricity Commission office where I once worked

What was left of the main street of Rabaul

Where the old market used to be. The market was said to be the best in the Pacific area.

School children getting a lift home

Rabaul from the top of the volcano