Fly River Adventure

Recently the boys had a chance to get out for a paddle on the Fly River.  We as a family had gone into Kiunga, mostly just to get away for the day and to visit some friend there.  Phil was able to arrange an outing for the boys with the help of a few of his friend.  The make shift shacks that you see behind Kaleb are part of a refugee settlement in Kiunga.  People who have fled across the border from the Indonesian side, due to persecution.                                                             

The boys started their paddle just down from where the Carters live (sorry a little confusing, the other families family name is Carter, good name!)  Taking two separate dugout canoes, they were able to paddle out to a large barge that runs up and down the Fly and got on for a tour.

Many boats and barges run up and down this river bringing supplies from the coast to inland stations.  Kiunga is the final stop as the river systems from there become to small to support the boats.  How well the boats function on the river also depends on the amount of rain received and if they can get through.  Sometimes they get stuck for a spell until the water levels rise again. 

The boys ended their adventure with an unplanned swim.  A motor boat offered to bring them back into shore, so they accepted but Phil and Henry came back in the canoe.  This meant they arrived back first and not to the exact location they had started from.  Knowing the general direction of the Carter's house they started out, opting to take the low road over the high road.  It was not long before they came upon what looked like a large puddle, so like any boys they walked through the middle, except the bottom fell out of the 'puddle' and they ended up having to swim across.  Needless to say when they got back they were a little wet and were able to take in both a paddle and a swim.
Mel for the Marshes