Ex LCEM Bob Ellis wrote
on the 13th March 2009 that during the Far East trip 1967/68 and our
time in the South Pacific the ship's rugby team had gone ashore in the
afternoon at Ambrym to play the locals. Any of the ship's company were
invited ashore in the evening for a knees up and an after the match
booze up to celebrate whoever had won!!! There were several
onboard thought it a great idea and as the red glow from the
active volcano reflected on the clouds about 20 of us went ashore and
landed on the nearby beach. We had been informed we would be
met on the shore and taken to the village hut where the feast would
be. The ship's boat departed and we were left on the beach in the
dark with not a sign of life or transport. Eventually after what
seemed an age the headlamps of a Land Rover was spotted through
the coconut palms followed by a tractor and trailer. We were all
quite relieved and piled into the various modes of transport and guess
who ended up in the trailer?!! Yes it was me and we had a very
bouncy ride through the jungle, arriving at the village hall and very
relieved to have arrived at last. Once into the hall which had a
palm roof and timbered walls we all sat down which had a concrete floor
but nothing else....no food...no beer...and no barbecue!!
After a short while our
smiles were to be revived when the natives started arriving clutching
crates and crates of lager and it was announced the food was
ready. Suckling pigs that had been cooked in the ground with hot
stones and wrapped in banana palms. Needless to say we all had a
great time and during the course of the booze up I remember asking one
of the gang who was enjoying the pigs brains what it tasted like?
Horseradish came the slurred reply...needless to say I don't remember
the return trip!
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