Dede Sophie

The re-opening of cruise borders in Papua New Guinea welcomed the arrival of its first maiden cruise ship in Alotau, on Friday 7th October 2022, by the stunning Pacific Encounter. The cruise ship had a total of 2400 cruise tourists on board that arrived from Carins Australia, with Alotau being its first port of call in PNG waters. The cruise ship was escorted into the wharf area by traditional war canoes then followed by local sing-sing groups that danced and sang to the cruise tourists as they disembarked to go on their pre-booked tours or independent tours. The Milne Bay Tourism Bureau also had Volunteer Youth Ambassadors (VYA) on the ground ready and waiting to assist any tourist that needed a guide to tour the town. The official welcome ceremony was held at the wharf area to commemorate the cruise ship’s arrival. It was attended by the Captain Roger Bilton of Pacific Encounter and his crew who were received by PNG dignitaries; the Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Hon.Henry Isi...

Readers, please join me welcoming Jennie Shortridge , author of When She Flew , who’s guest blogging here today! “Mesmerized” by the true story of a war veteran and his twelve-year-old daughter who, after going undetected for years, were discovered living in a densely wooded Portland park, Shortridge—ever the novelist—empathized strongly with those involved, from the father and child to those who found and then became involved in their lives. Soon a character emerged, one that captured the conflicting emotions and responsibilities of those obligated to carry out specific actions, even when it goes against their instincts. One of my favorite parts the writing process is doing research. My latest novel, When She Flew , is based on a true story, which required extensive research. I first heard about the Vietnam vet raising his daughter outdoors in the Oregon woods when I was living in Portland in 2004. The story captivated me as it unfolded in the media. The thoughts and emotions i...