Glacier and Spear Fishing

Sunday, March 16, 08
Up early, Iain, his three sons, and I arrive at the airport at 7:45. What a treat! With a hard rain for much of the night, the weather has cleared and our view of the glacier is spectacular. For one hour we fly around the glacier and the Freeport mine. The mine is the largest gold mine and the second largest copper mine with the highest grade of copper in the world. It is a phenomenal sight. Best of all, however, is the glacier, windswept with blowing snow. The shear drops and tectonic upheavals are clearly visible. Upon returning, we hitch a ride home with Bruce and Deborah Cox who were part of the plane ride and teach in the International School. Iain and Diana decide to spend the afternoon on the West Levee. There is a stop to release a turtle which they return to its natural surroundings. The West Levee which Freeport built, splits the river. Heading down the levee for 15 minutes, we arrive where some of their friends are spear fishing. Iain puts on some water shoes and makes a valiant effort at catching some rainbow fish for his aquarium. The Papuan men, four of them, swim, dive, and come up with a remarkable number of Tilapia, 20. Also speared is a 4 ft. catfish. This will feed an extended family for a good while. At one poin, a crocodile is spotted by one of the fishermen. With a whoop he warns the others and they move away from the reeds. Homeward bound, we are caught in a downpour, which continues at home in a lighter form. What a day! Tired, we are in bed early.