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Rabul used to be known as the Jewel of the Pacific. A city built on the edge of a volcano and glittering blue bay. Unfortunately, that was a dumb idea and in 1994 it blew up. Smothering the city in several feet of thick grey ash. It has continued to do so ever since.
Firstly, location. It's north of the PNG mainland, near an island called New Britain.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u.../13657/png.jpg
Volcano from a distance, the bay is pretty, some smoke coughing out the top.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...57/rabul1.JPEG
A bit closer.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...57/rabul6.JPEG
The landscape closer to the volcano is more moonscape than land.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...57/rabul5.JPEG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...57/rabul3.JPEG
A new (temporary) town was built a few kilometres away from the volcano, but I dont think anyone will be calling this a Jewel of the Pacific.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...7/rabul35.JPEG
Rabaul also has a military history, the Japanese built up forces and supplies here, to help supply the Japanese Imperial Army's campaign in the coral sea, kokada track, and Milne bay.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...7/rabul38.JPEG
They used mini submarines that could remain submerged in the volcano caldera right up to the waters edge, and tunneled into the cliff. The Allies bombed Rabaul, but just could not work out how they were doing it.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...7/rabul31.JPEG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...7/rabul32.JPEG
That's quite fascinating. I went to Port Moresby (too many) years ago - but never got to see this area. Nice work KW.
Thanks mate, apparently there is some amazing diving to be done in that bay as the walls are almost vertical since it is/was the caldera of an ancient volcano.
Great stuff KW, Rabul's out near Kavieng, right? Got offered a job out there and as much as I wanted to go it didn't happen. You out there for business or pleasure mate? Diving must be superb.
Correct, not far from Kavieng, in fact that was where I was headed, I dont think anyone actually bothers to go to Rabual otherwise.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne Kerr
It was a pleasure trip, I'm sorry to say I didnt have time to do any diving there at the time, but I am told it is well worth it, and I shall make sure to do so next time.
Did you go there on your little boat with the red sail?