Kundu & Kanu Festival, Bigger & Better

Kundu & Kanu Festival was held in Alotau over the last weekend (6,7 & 8 Nov).

People from all over the Milne Bay province, other provinces & overseas flocked into the normally quiet town of Alotau and witnessed the cultural festival.

Kanu (=Canoe in Tokpisin) has been a main transportation in the Milne Bay where more than 600 islands are scattered around.The larger canoe was used for the "Kula Trade", traditional barter system involving circle of islands.
Even now, people use the canoe for going to school, church, fishing and carrying the garden crop
for sale. Canoe is still one of the lifeline in Milne Bay and rest of maritime provinces in Papua New Guinea.

Underwater Jungle

Papua New Guinea has Forest everywhere, from Lowland Tropical Jungle to "Cloud Forest" in the Highlands. But it is not only found on Land.
If you go for snorkeling or scuba diving, you can also enjoy the "Underwater Forest."
The coral reefs are so healthy and attract thousands of colorful reef fish.
Diving & Snorkel ling are available in different locations all year round, namely in Alotau, Kavieng, Kimbe bay, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul & Tufi.

Mandarin Fish

Colorful Mandarin Fish is always photogenic.
This one is looking at the Lens as if he (she ?) is waiting for a kiss !!
Mandarin Fish has been identified in different diving locations in Papua New Guinea, i.e. Tufi, Madang, Kavieng, Alotau etc...

Welcoming Orchid

This is another orchid I have seen at the nursery of the National Capital Botanical Garden recently. I reckon it is Dendrobium species, but not sure about the name...
What made me interested was that the flower looks like a "person is bowing down for the visitor, with hands open to hug you." So I decided to call it ""Welcoming orchid." - sorry if there is any other common name already exists !!
There are more than 3,000 species of orchid in Papua New Guinea, which accounts for more than 2/3rd of all the orchids in the world, and they are waiting to "Welcome" your visit.

Jelly Bean or Passion Fruit ?

The other day, I have found a funny-shaped orchid - Dendrobium smilliae - in the botanical garden. Well, this orchid was "found" in 19th century, so it is not "new" spices but the shape of the flower is very unique compared to other orchids.
For me, the seeds resembles like the inside of a tropical fruit so I named it "Passion Fruit Orchid".



However later, I found that it is called "Jelly Bean Orchid" by village children.



I have looked at pictures but I still support my idea of "Passion Fruit Orchid"......
What do you think ??

Cancellation of 49th Morobe Show

It is regretted that due to cholera outbreak, this year's Morobe show which was scheduled for 31st Oct & 1st Nov is now cancelled.

With the support of many business houses in the province, Morobe Show has been one of the most successful shows in the country, and as far as I know, it has never been cancelled in its long history since 1959.

It affects many tourists who have booked the tour for a long time but the decison was made due to the health concern and we asked understaning of the guests.

Show will definetely come back in 2010, on 23rd & 24th OCT.

Pacific Cup Rugby in Papua New Guinea

Pacific Cup Rugby Championship is on the way in Port Moresbty and we have Fiji National Team "Batis" at Gateway Hotel. Here is the snap shot with the Batis members.
Batis members were so friendly and now the samll boy is at a loss whether to support his own National team "Kumul" or Fiji "Batis"......