When in Rome do because the Romans do — however not within the Pacific, the place ex-deputy prime minister Michael McCormack has come off second greatest after an encounter with kava, the locals’ favourite tipple.
The Nationals frontbencher was taken to a medical clinic in Pohnpei in Micronesia after downing a ceremonial shell of native kava, referred to as “sakau”, on Wednesday.
He revealed that he drank 5 bowls of kava in Vanuatu yesterday.
His response to kava, which has a narcotic and sedative impact, meant he couldn’t proceed to Palau with different Australian MPs within the delegation led by International Minister Penny Wong.
Mr McCormack was handled for dehydration and had an extended sleep on the Australian ambassador’s home.
He returned to Australia on Friday, telling reporters he went “cross-eyed” and threw up after ending the sakau, which he mentioned was stronger than the Vanuatu kava he consumed the day earlier than.
“I drank down the whole thing in a single hit,” the ABC reported him saying.
“It simply hit me. Overwhelming. It is like a sedative – like a drunken feeling.”
Mr McCormack mentioned he was attempting to be respectful however sooner or later he would simply take a sip at kava-drinking rituals “as Penny sensibly did”.
– with AAP
