Bad Knees and the Amazing Trip to Asmat

Even the airlines are down with CanDoTujuh, implementing mandatory weigh-ins.

On Sunday, I traveled to the Asmat area of Papua, an area just to the east of the Freeport project area (traveling from black arrow to the blue arrow on map).











It is said that ‘getting there’ is part of the adventure, certainly in my experience no where in the world is that more true than Papua. Travel infrastructure in limited and the terrain incredibly difficult. This trip involved a 45-minute flight in a Twin Otter above dense jungle and a 30-minute boat ride through swamps known to have danger critters like crocs (video in post below). The Asmat area is famous for producing some of the most famous ‘traditional art’ - previously known by the less politically-correct ‘primitive art’ – and for being the point of disappearance for Michael Rockefeller and the associated speculation about cannibalism which was still practiced in the area at the time.

Recent airline accidents in Indonesia would have compounded my concerns about getting on a small plane like this - until the pilot flashed Hook 'Em Horns.

Yeah boat rides!

Checking out Saturday morning mass while the locals check out the big white guy. All the buildings here must be built on stilts because the entire area floods when the tide comes in. All the buildings are connected with wooden walkways (of varying quality and sturdiness). The church is pictured here is certainly one of the biggest structures in the village.

Quite strangely, despite its isolation - not only is there cellphone signal here, but also Goodlink/Blackberry 'push email' service works. This service doesn't even work in most of North Dakota, which I suppose says something. Unfortunately, both this trip and the last week of workouts have been impaired by tremendous knee pain. I played in a basketball tournament last Friday night and am still having problems even walking. I have been pushing through the pain for cardio workouts and stretching but have been skipping any lifting for the lower body. I will try to do some light leg lifting and BodyPump tomorrow, with the hopes that the tough love treatment won’t delay recovery significantly.