A hostile reception for Manus media convoy Asylum seekers behind the wire of the Manus Island detention centre. Photo: Kate Geraghty The asylum seekers appeared to want us there but the Australian Immigration Department's hired muscle did not. "F--- off!" shouted the burly private security guard as less than four metres away the two young asylum seekers almost climbed the fence and struck a series of poses after they saw our cameras in our tiny boat chugging past their prison. The 40 mainly Iranian and Afghan single men arrived on Manus Island on Thursday morning. Green hessian has been hung on the two-metre-high chain-link fence that runs parallel to the road and the area where, previously, the single-men's quarters was located. The front gate is partly obscured by shipping containers and features a constant stream of contractors. Manus' local member Ron Knight says the extension of the camp had rushed ahead, with the facility expected to cater for up to 800 people by the end of the week. Near the front gate, a sunglassed Australian G4S security guard will immediately pop out and glower at any vehicle carrying suspected media. Our boatman - who won't be named in case he is bullied for taking media near the centre - was shocked at the foul language emanating from the security guard. But he took it well and for the rest of our boat ride back all he and his crewmen could do was laughingly make faces and mimic the security guard. Such swearing, they told us, was highly unusual among Papua New Guineans.