This was meant to be an island paradise getaway. A heavenly new year, with friends on the beach. After the mild dramas of travelling by bus to Sihanoukville (Lauli and her buddies went the day before; Jem and her friends found their pre-booked tickets had been sold, i was worried about having to charter a boat on my own) .. we were all looking forward to a chilled-out party on the beach.

There was bbq action, dance music, stories and balancing on a swing over the sand.

Lovely.

Bang.

A loud silence, then some shouts and that awful feeling of not knowing what’s happened. Followed by the sickening feeling of discovering what has happened.

Someone’s let a very big firecracker off in his own face.

Shanny’s seen the whole thing close up and looks like she’s about to pass out. “He’s blown his face off! Have you seen Phil?”

i still feel a bit sick and shocked from the events of the evening. This was about 11pm local time. Celebrations were clearly off the agenda. People milled around wondering how to help. Several people did help, giving first aid, painkillers, calling the mainland, deciding whether to call for a boat or pray for an airlift direct to Bangkok.

16 hours later, Yuma made it to Bangkok. But the reports aren’t good.

Still on life support. Not yet stable.

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Prayers welcome .. angelic support appreciated.

i’d never heard of Murdunna, but now i know it’s a beautiful part of an unbelievably gorgeous world. These Tasmanians have got something really special going on, i’m telling you.

Well it’s on the Tasman Peninsula, so like the rest of us Australians they’re not always 100% imaginative with the naming. But “Murdunna” that’s .. experimental innit?

Thanks so much Julie and Annie for hosting me and my tent. Really lovely to hang out with you and the kids.

World’s best fish and chip shop – who would have thunk it? Huge tubs with exotic fish swimming about. No photos, darn!