The leaders saw the dancers and drummers coming but hadn't been paying much attention to the large shrubs by the side the road. The trip along the coast was fairly silent other than the relentless sound of the outboard motors. People would tap each other to point waterfalls careering down cliffs or small outrigger canoes bobbing on the waters of the bay. In the midst of such fabulous scenery was led to ponder quite how it must have felt to sail up that coast, as the first Anglican missionaries did, knowing that you were about begin a relationship with a land and people different to anything you'd ever known. Wedau saw another warm welcome and then we climbed the hill to the Dogura Plateau.
First sight reveals a traditional, white church building of impressive size.
Throughout WWII it was flown over but not bombed by Japanese aircraft. Dogura also accommodates a hospital, community school, Holy Name High School and playing fields. Bishop's House is one of many staff homes, which dot the landscape. There's no doubt that for Anglicans this place has a palpable sense history attached. For our group, however, the present was the most important concern.