Just before we go...a briefing

It's been a couple of Months     (Link to previous blog-  Sri Lanka Solilquosed)

But we have saved up enough leave to be able to go on the most expensive overseas journey($ per Day) we have done.

We will be gone from Friday the 17th of January, through to Friday the 8th of Feb 2014.

Where are we going?

Well, as the title suggests it's going to be in a place called Halmahera.  Halmahera is an island just to the right of Sulawesi. Sulawesi is an island in the top bit of Indonesia. It is pretty much to the left of and a tad (one tad - 23 smidges) above West Papua. On Halmahera there is a town/city called Tobelo. To quote the Lonely Planet "Humble Tobelo is Northern Halmahera's only real "town"...... little backwater"

Map, clearly showing location of Halmahera

But we are travelling a further "smidge" out of town to an Orphanage/Clinic/Hospital/Campus somewhat out of town (somewhat = I wasn't listening at the time) to a place called Hohidai.

Map, Clearly showing location of Halmahara (disguised as Maluku)

Why are we going there?(what are we gunna do)

Nathalie works at Maroondah Hospital in ED. There is a group of staff in the ED who have "adopted" (or been adopted by)a clinic/ hospital based at this  Orphanariam.  Nathalie thought it would be a great life and educational experience for both Nathalie and Andrew.  Nathalie has medical and organisational skills.  Andrew also, has watched several episodes of BBC 24 hours in ED, ER, The Young Doctors, and old episodes of “Emergency” (25 mils Ringers Lactate, dw30 stat”)so he’s right to do stuff there too.  But seriously, it is intended to spend at least two weeks at the Clinic.

What is  expected?

Indonesian word / phrase of the day:  (And probably quite valuable to get right)

Perawat-  Nurse                                 as opposed to

Perawon-  Virgin

Being different to any other overseas journey we  have taken, we are nor sure what to expect, however the Team Leader/organiser (as opposed to  the domestic team leader - Nathalie) is Sandie, a nurse educator at the Maroondah ED,  who has been to Hohidai several times before, as has the other medical personnel Lisa.  Lisa is the Nurse Unit Manager of the ED, and has a swag of qualifications and experience in emergency/disaster medicine, having only very recently returned from the Philippines.    The other member of the Tour group will be Lisa’s father Kevyn (Pronounce Kevin).    Andrew and Nathalie have every confidence in the ability of the team to keep us all safe.

What is expected of us is that we  apply at least 40 hours work each week in whatever we are asked to do, probably within our skill set.  Nathalie has this covered…Andrew on the other hand, isn’t very clever, but can lift heavy things.  There is  accommodation supplied on Campus, and the local food where available will be the fare.  Being a Christian based environment, there will be devotional sessions daily, which neither of them have problems with.   Andrew can Hallelujah with the best of them.

Travel will be overnight to Singapore then Silk Air to Monado (Nth Sulawesi).  We will be in Monado for a day, then by local airline ( biplane strapped to the lower wings) to Tobelo.  

Apparently the group will be met at Manado Airport by local representatives to help us through customs, as the group collectively will be carrying 60 or so Kgs of medical supplies and it is expected there will be some “curiosity”.    Imagine Andrew’s surprise, when the first box of medical supplied intended for us to  “transport” contained disposable speculums.   It did get better from there, branching into condom drainage, pneumothorax kits, airways, and then stuff even Andrew could recognise. (much of that stuff is only just out of date and will be gratefully received and used)  The more qualified medical staff will take the medicines.  

It will be monsoon season, and as this goes to press, there are current reports of flooding, landslides and fatalities in Monado, so we will take our waterproof undies.  

Whilst rain and humidity will be an impact, it is still currently 14 degrees cooler in Tobelo than Melbourne.

Headhunters and Volcanoes

Just a tease but they are on the cards.

Connectivity

As may be implied  by the Lonely Planet guide, the chances of Wi Fi cafe's and Hot Spots could be limited, but we are assured that there is a mail boat that visits the mission at least once a month, so Andrew will post as he is able.  (Just tricking about the monthly mail boat).

Hopefully there will be occasional posts.

Andrew will attempt to provide a useful Bahasa Indonesian word or phrase each post.

such as....

  

There is a cockroach in my Right ear

Ada cochroach di telinga kanan saya

 or 

My hovercraft is full of eels

 Hoverkraf saya penuh belut.

or 

Stop that elephant, it has stolem my wife

Hentikan gajah itu, telah stolem istri saya

So I'd imagine you can hardly wait.

Love  Nathalie and Andrew