Rabaul Warning or Danger Tips by Bwana_Brown

The 'betal' nut of the areca palm tree contains a mild, central nervous system stimulant called arecoline. In PNG, it was common practise for the locals to chew the nut on its own or with a pastey mixture of tobacco, lime and a betel-climber leaf ( a vine which is usually found growing with the areca palm tree). Usually only one "chew" is prepared at a time and, sometimes, in order to prolong the chew, tobacco is added.

This mixture creates a red stain which colors the mouth of the chewer as well as any spot where 'spit' is projected. This is a major reason why it is a good idea to always use footwear in PNG. No matter where you are, the sidewalks will be covered by these red splotches of betal-nut juice! Continuation of this practice (which seems to be habit forming) turns the teeth black. Maybe the use of Betal nuts was a self-defense mechanism in the times before pain-killers were available? That being said, I can also remember one of my grandfathers and his use of chewing tobacco. With his habit of spitting it out the driver-side window while at speed, it was not a good idea to have your driver-side rear window down in the summertime!

Enlarge the photo and you will see (check out the bottom of the tree trunk) the red stream of what the young lady is depositing on the sidewalk in Rabaul.

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As we drove along the highway between Rabaul and Kevavat, I was rather surprised to find that we were driving down some sort of 'valley'. Rather than having ditches along the side of the road, we instead had major cliffs! As a result, I was not surprised to learn that, when the tropical rains hit hard and fast, this road becomes a river!

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