A warm greetings from Germany

A warm greetings reached from Germany, who has visited Papua New Guinea in July.

We are still full of rich experiences concerning PNG. We are so glad that you arranged everything for us in such a good way and so I give you the greetings of all 22 members of our group. All of us are looking forward to giving lectures about PNG as the land of the next World Day of Prayer in the following months. Thank you very much for everything you’ve done for us. And give our love and embrace to Mary who is an excellent guide. I hope her foot is well again! All of you were wonderful – and you gave us the chance to get to know not only the sights but people of Papua New Guinea, too. So we can look back to precious experiences. And in our minds there are not only the images of a beautiful and blessed country but also – and in the first place – the smiles, words, blessings and hugs you gave us. We keep all this in our hearts!
With warm wishes from Germany! God bless you!

*****Photo: FH Soest Group with Minister Dame Carol Kidu at Parliament House

Thank you very much for the warm greetings, and with good memories of PNG, we all hope you will have a good World of Prayer day in March 2009 !!

Mandarin Fish in Kavineg

We have received a latest photo-report from Lissenung Island off Kavieng, New Ireland.
The latest photo is photogenic "Mandarinfish".
The body design is so colorful that people may think it is artificial, but it is all Natural.
If you happen to visit Lissenung next time, don't forget to request "Mandarin Fish".

Photo courtesy of Lissenung Island

National Mask Festival

14th National Mask Festival was held for 16-19 July 2008.

This year, the venue has been moved from Rabaul to Kokopo.

There were lots of discussions regarding the relocation, but considering the fact that the Festival can not continue without the support from the private sector, it is logic when most of the business houses (including Hotels) are moved to Kokopo after 1994 eruption.

Some tourists stayed in Rabaul town (which is 45 minutes drive to Kokopo) had to wake up 4 am to see Kinavai ceremony which was coming to the shore of Kokopo this year. Despite that, they have enjoyed the sacred ceremony which, except the show time, is confined to the secret society members. The next Mask Festival is expected to held in Kokopo again in July 2009.

Future Generation

Visited New Ireland for Filming project.
I have first visited New Ireland in 1995 and so impressed with friendly local people and laid-back atmosphere. As I passed the coastal villages by bicycle (I travelled from Namatanai to Kavieng by bicycle in 5 days !), everybody came out and waved hands.
Since then, I had several chance to visit New Ireland but not really in the villages.
This time, I went to the village and was wondering how the place and people has changed.
But to my relief, it is not much changed after 13 years.
Photo: Twin sisters posing for the camera with curiosity and fear. Putput No.2 village near Kaut

World Heritage Site

Kuk Early agricultural site of Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea has been listed for World Heritage. This is first World Heritage listing in Papua New Guinea.

Soils of Kuk have evidence of garden draining system dated back to 9,000 years ago.

This makes Highlands of Papua New Guinea as earlist known farmers on earth.

Ironically, the Highands of Papua New Guinea was "Discovered" by Europeans in 1930s, and First Farmers in the World is regarded as one of the last-found-tribes in the world....

Detail of World Heritage as follows.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/887

Women only

We have women group all the way from Germany, visited Mt Hagen, Goroka, Lae by road and now in Port Moresby. The Group is made up of all women, meeting different women groups around the country, and guides are all women. Male staffs are only backing up just in case they need men power ! They met different organizations and shared the issues affecting women.
In the male-dominate society of Papua New Guinea, women are struggling, trying to be independent and to grab equal opportunities as men.
Remember, before being a Lawyer, a Doctor, a Pilot or a Prime Minister, everybody was born from the Mother; without women, nobody is given birth.
Cheers for all the Women in Papua New Guinea, Germany and all around the world !!

Jewels of Papua New Guinea

One might wonder what is the cherry-like fruit in the village. These are coffee beans, the Jewels given by the nature, and the most popular commercial crop in Papua New Guinea Highlands.
Unlike other countries, most of PNG coffees are produced by small holders - by individual houses or villages rather than produced in large plantations.
If you visit villages around Goroka, you will not miss coffee trees.
PNG is in the middle of Coffee season and run through around October.
We can arrange village stay (or day trip) where you can try to pick the coffee beans.
If you are tired of drinking coffee at Starbucks or Luxurious hotel bars, what about tasting the freshly cultivated world-class coffee in the nature ?