EXPERIENCING THE SUPERCAT FOR THE FIRST TIME !
As I stepped warily over the slumbering bodies which covered the cabin floor of the Kiribati Supercat, I knew that I had to experience this journey at least once ! It had all started with booking a ticket on Air Kiribati for Friday, January 19th., to fly to the outer island of Marakei, which is just north of North Tarawa. The flight was due to leave at 5.00 pm. I made my arrangements (busily - so did not hear the radio !) and went to the airport in good time. It was suspiciously quiet - and then I saw the notice. "Flights cancelled !" By diligent questioning, I discovered that the airport had USED UP ITS QUOTA OF FUEL for that day (on international flights) and had no permission to release any more for the local flights ! Flights cost AU$ 51 each way.
So I trundled back to the Supercat office in Teaoraereke (near where I live). There I booked on the sailing for the following (Saturday) morning. This was another $39. I slepped well and was on a bus by 0730 am. "Check-in" (i.e. getting yourself and your gear onto the boat and SHOWING your ticket) started at 08.00. Initially there was much space on the upper of two decks, and I was optimistic about the conditions. Little did I know ! Within thirty minutes the spaces on the floor were covered with matting, bags, bodies, food, drink, nappies, mothers breast-feeding, etc. Through the mayhem I managed to preserve my "aisle" seat, but every time I moved to stretch my legs, it became more difficult to return to it ! We left after 10.00.
ALL MOD CONS.
Yes ! there were conveniences, and lifebelts, and a food counter on the lower deck.
More importantly, there were two motor boats slung at the stern of the Cat. On arrival off Abaiang (no deep-water wharf), these were used to ferry passengers and their goods to the nearest beach ! This process took nearly an hour, taking maybe eight at a time. So life was a little easier now and the rain had stopped. I had seen feet dangling from the roof, so I went to investigate. I found a third "deck", with a waterproof awning and a number of familiar faces (of current and past pupils of mine) ! So we chatted and this helped to pass another three hours en route to Marakei. I had watched the technique of transferring to the motor boat and, after we had anchored off Marakei, managed to make the transfer in the rain without falling into the bottom of the boat (as one lady did !) At the beach was a crowd (of welcome ???), and a kind motor-cyclist ferried me and my bag to the guest-house (or "Government Hotel" !) Arriving wet was not ideal, but the room was clean, and with fan and mosquito net and lockable door I was getting dry and happy !
THE COURSE.
Saturday night passed and, being a good Catholic, I looked for Mass next morning. I had been told "10.00", but then after I had gone to the Church it changed to "11.00". I faithfully went and sat on the right (with the other men !) and prayed, and listened, and prayed, and noticed, and prayed..... As 12.00 approached, there was increasingly intensive activity by the Catechists and ladies. We had a musical service run by the Catechists (the priest having been delayed at his other THREE masses that morning !) Nothing helped towards building a course that day, so it was left to Monday to make a few contacts.
We started on Tuesday morning in the Council maneaba (meeting-house). Eventually I had sixteen names, but distributed only ten text-books and finally presented only seven certificates of attendance (for OBAS). This was disappointing but the participants seemed to enjoy making use of local resources, e.g. local sticks and chairs to make hurdles; local sticks and stones for the throws. All performed with enthusiasm. Lunch was provided (from my KAA allowance and the OAA funds) each day.
GETTING HOME !
Having booked and paid for a return air ticket, I vowed to use it. To change my flight (from Weds. Jan. 24 to Fri. Jan. 26) and confirm myself on the Friday flight, I had to visit the Air Kiribati agent at her house. This necessitated a thirty minute motor-bike ride on a switchback of a road halfway round the island (which has a central lagoon !) My driver was excellent, as was I, which was just as well because a truck - coming the other way on the narrow road - almost wiped us out ! By the time the return trip was over, I had the imprint of his metal (pillion) carrying-plate deeply etched into my bum ! No cushions !
POLE-VAULTERS !
And there they were ! Without any prompting, several lads on various lengths of stick - none of whom had seen Fletcher's demo ! - were doing the basic carry, plant, swing, half-twist and landing !!! In front of my eyes !!! It was dark, but I took some flash photos. Next afternoon, they returned and this time we rigged up a bar to clear. They did not go very high and they broke a couple of sticks - but the basic idea was there ! So I hope they continue ! I must go back and see !
Last Modified on 08/02/2007 22:17