Sing Sing
The day John Douglas and I arrived in Popondetta, it was a big day. Frank Egimbari and all of Doropata village were throwing us a sing-sing. Before we entered, we were told a group of "raskols" were in the area, and we had to wait while they inspected up with their WWII weapons.

When they were satisfied, they escorted us to the village in their truck, complete with a rusted WWII .303 caliber machine gun! At the entrance to Doropata village, everyone came out to greet us and it was time for the sing-sing to begin!

Dancing and drumming began, and as the ceremony unfolded we were slowly lead to one of the huts where the rest of the village was assembled.

Doropata village is steeped in war history. The hut was built on the concrete foundation of the Dobordura officer's mess building. Metal piping from a fuel line that went from the airfield to the coast to get massive quantities to the airstrips has been recycled as strong stilts for each of the huts. Often, bits of aircraft or other smaller remains of the war are often discovered.

After the ceremony, I was made into a member of the village and got the opportunity to shake each persons hand in turn.

Next, it was roast pig, cooked in the traditional style. As we ate we planned our next day of wreck hunting and decided to make our way first to the Dobadura, then over to Gona

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