Tolai Shell Money.

Pretty much part of the Tolai Society, the shell money or "Tabu" in the Tolai vernacular is widely used in the Tolai society of Papua New Guinea. It has been for the last 100 plus years and it is still being widely used today. It is used in bride price, traditional gatherings, sing sings and it is used after a burial of a relative.

Hiroshima look alike.

Do not confuse yourself with this photo as you would think it is Hiroshima, no, this is the old Rabaul Town just a few weeks after the twin Volcanoes blew their tops off. It was totally buried and looked like an Atomic bomb being dropped here.

Pisin Island Retreat.

Experiencing the continuous dust and ash fall can be very annoying. Families take time out to avoid the dust, as seen here, these two kids took time out to Pisin Island with their parents.

Rumbling Mt.Tavurvur

From Matupit island, you can see Mt.Tavurvur showing its might again. The wind direction will determine where a lot of ash falls will occur. As you can see here, it is blowing towards the old Rabaul Town where it is mostly affected every now and again.

Cheerful Children.

Very cheerful children, these are the smiles and happy faces that will greet a new comer to this friendly part of Papua New Guinea, Rabaul. One will wonder if the continued ash falls from Mt. Tavurvur will have a long term effect on these children.

Mt. Tavurvur welcomes QE 2 Cruise Ship

As the QE 2 Cruise Ship hover itself across the beautiful Simpson Harbour, Mt. Tavurvur on the right continues to spew out smoke welcoming and reminding the tourists onboard of its existence.

Children enjoying the afternoon swim.

A typical afternoon at the Vunapope wharf, Kokopo, children enjoying a swim just before calling it a day. Pisin Island and parts of the Duke of York Islands are at the background.

Tavurvur Fireworks at night.

From the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory, overlooking the once beautiful Simpson Harbour, Tavurvur is seen here doing its rounds of Fireworks, not celebrating a new year but sending out a clear cut message of it non-dormant existence.

Kids enjoying the normal beach life

As the dust and ash falls continue to hamper the daily life routines in and around Rabaul, life on the other side of the caldera is normal. As for these kids, they are enjoying a morning run and play along the Talili bay overlooking Watom Island in the background.

Heavy Ash Fall from Tavurvur

Tavurvur spewing out heavy ash fall. Depending on the wind direction, it reaches out lying villages as far as the Nonga area, especially the Nonga Base Hospital. The ash fall continuously affects the old Rabaul town area.