Inside the Crocodile: The Papua New Guinea Journals (2015) by Trish Nicholson is a travel memoir recounting her five-year experience working on a social development project in the remote province of West Sepik, Papua New Guinea. As a social anthropologist, Nicholson faces immense challenges navigating local politics, social hierarchies, and the harsh environment while attempting to modernize the region's infrastructure. Throughout her journey, she encounters cultural diversity, remote living conditions, and the tension between traditional tribal life and modern migration. Despite setbacks, Nicholson’s story is one of resilience, hope, and dedication to empowering local communities. The memoir also touches on her reflections about the complexities of development and the challenges of bringing change to a place so different from her own.
1