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Wow, this got me.
You see traveling has always been something i dread but when I'm truly needed on that trip, i definitely make it.
This time it had to be New Guinea and just 41km from Pomio. I and my cousins went there to get samples of various plants for a project we are working on. I have never felt what i did that very day and i hope to God i never feel that way again.
It started with little tremours which i found very peculiar. Then two buildings within my eyes view went down and i knew exactly what was happening. The after shock of the two buildings falling quickly affected the area i and my cousins were as the building held strong from the vibrations.
As a geographer i already knew what was coming next and immediately screamed for i and my cousins to exit the building and get to the air port. Our research/vacation was obviously over.
Now we were in the Hela Province and the road was filling up with terrified indigens. My cousins, all scared and full of regret had nearly lost it. Right infront us, two cars lost control and collided, nearly sending is and the driver off the road and into the lagoon. Screams and utter fear filled my soul. I could swear i knew it was the end. As we drove, we could see the devastation the left in the wake of such a disaster. I concluded it had to be a 6.0 magnitude but i was not sure.
As we approached the airport to board a plane to Lagos, we found out all flights were grounded till later. The quake lasted for a little over 10 mins but the destruction was a life time scar on the people of Papau New Guinea and of course a life changing event for i and my cousins who made it out before the after shock exactly seven days later. The death toll was 160 on the first day, and subsequently mire died with the after shocks.
Its an experience i and my cousins will never forget.
