Day 14-August 19th

Today we all woke up in our hotel at 7:45 am and drove back to the airport, where we went through security and checked our bags. After we headed to our gate, we immediately boarded the flight at 9:30 am. Everything was rather calm until we got on the plane. As soon as sat down, Sierra realized she left her phone at the hotel. We were worried we wouldn't have enough time to go back to get her phone. Katelin called the manager of the hotel and asked him if he found a phone recently. He said that he had in fact found one about 20 minutes after we left. Sierra had left it on the dresser. He agreed to mail it to her. Sierra was content with the fact that she would get her phone back in about 10 business days. 

The airport in Sydney, Australia

The plane left at 9:50 am and we were on our way to Los Angeles. The flight took almost 14 hours. We stayed pretty quiet during the flight. It was hard for all of us to accept that we would probably never visit Papua New Guinea again. We were given breakfast, which was cold scrambled eggs, coffee, and fruits. About three hours into the flight, the plane started to shake violently, and we got scared and nervous. It felt like we were on one of those insane rollercoasters at Universal Studios. Ayesha was the only person smiling because she was complaining about how bored she was earlier, and now something exciting was happening. Luckily, we were all fine and the pilot told us it was just some intense turbulence. 

We soon ate lunch, which was pasta and garlic bread. In the afternoon, we slept for some time and then ate dinner. Our supper consisted of a small pizza, a bag of chips, and vegetables on the side. We were able to safely arrive in LA at 6:30 am. Our next flight was scheduled to leave at 9:50 am, so we had approximately a three hour layover. While waiting at the gate, we all talked about our favorite parts of the trip. Ayesha also went to a bookstore in the airport and bought Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a book she was dying to read.

A view from our plane of the LA airport.

Boarding for our flight to Raleigh began at 9:30 am. On this flight most of us slept because we had been up for a very long time, and we weren't used to the time change. However, Ayesha read her new book and finished it in only two hours. Like our previous flights, breakfast and lunch were generously given to us. The food had the same, bland taste. Jessie refused to eat her food because she claimed it tasted horrible. We managed to force it into her mouth after constantly begging her to eat something. After eating, we were stuffed since we basically had five meals that day. The different time zones were messing with our heads and our sleep patterns as well.   

Back in Raleigh

We finally landed in North Carolina at 5:50 pm. It took a while to get our suitcases from baggage claim. We took a taxi to Jessie's house at 6:45 pm. We made amazing subs and ate them with chips, while talking about Papua New Guinea and the many experiences we shared. Soon, it was finally time to say goodbye and part ways. Each of us left Jessie's house with two weeks worth of memories and moments left to share.

A map of Papua New Guinea.

Persuading Post: Papua New Guinea is a very lovely place that is not only beautiful, but is also unique. You can explore many different features of this country including food, culture, and history. This is a great location for those who like to relax and those who like to stay active. Since Papua New Guinea is an island, there are a variety of beaches to visit. There are also many water-related activities that can be found here, such as fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. 

Snorkeling in Papua New Guinea

If you are fascinated by mountains and its calm atmosphere, Mount Hagen and Rabaul are the perfect locations to spend time in. Volcanoes and mountain ranges run across these cities and develop a sense of peace and quiet around you (pathos). In fact, the highest point of the country is Mount Wilhelm, which stands at 4,509 meters (logos). 

Mount Wilhelm

The culture of Papua New Guinea is also worth taking a look at. With over 700 indigenous languages and many native ethnic groups, Papua New Guinea's magnificent culture never lets you down (logos). For us, the Mount Hagen Show was a great demonstration of the nation's culture. The vibrant colors that the tribes wore and their powerful dances were visually engaging. 

Papua New Guinea's nature and environment creates a serene and relaxed atmosphere (pathos). Its beautiful scenery includes mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, rainforests, and much more. Whether you like to hike or tan by the beach, it's guaranteed that Papua New Guinea has every activity for a perfect vacation.   

Here is a link to our Budget and Costs Document.