(l to r) Mary, Chandler, and Penny

For years, Mary has been trying to piece together the 1987 trip she took as an 8-year-old to Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. Penny Holste (aka Mary’s mom) joins us on the episode to try to fill in the gaps and give context to some of Mary’s blurry memories. Penny also tells us about her own travels and how she was influenced by her great aunt Florence Parlin, a painter and world-traveler.

Images and additional info:

Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand

Tribal practice of ritual finger amputation in PNG  (Mary didn’t make it up, after all!)

One of the bridges Mary’s grandfather built

Handwoven bilum bags

Teaching “Duck, Duck, Goose” to the village kids

Our 18-month-old ambassador

Chandler O’Leary