Life on the river - Sepik

Sepik River is one of the greatest eco-systems in the world and usually referred as "Amazon in the Asia-Pacific". Apart from its vast rain forest, rich marine and bird life, what makes it more interesting is the people & its culture along the river.

Because of its remoteness, western influence is very much limited and even all the tribes have been Christianized, people still keep their traditional customs and beliefs.

Life on the river has changed very little for centuries; people cultivate land and get harvest, catch fish - still living along with the mother nature.

Sepik River Canoe Safari is to see and experience the river people's life from their level, not from luxurious tourist boat or 5 star accommodation, but stay in the village hut, feel the nature and real culture of the Sepik river and its people.

Between the Tradition and Development

The city of Port Moresby is changing very fast. Lots of New Hotels, Apartment Houses, Shopping Centres and Office Buildings are being built under the name of Development.
Here you can see the new Harbor City Development site, with new ANZ bank headquarter, New Executive Apartment and land reclamation site for further construction.
Right at back of it is Hanuabada village of Motuan people; life not much changed for hundreds of years since they have built the village on the water after migrating from other pacific islands.
It is a clear contrast of tradition and Development facing each other.
Everybody wishes for a comfortable modern life but if you believe in development and chase for it, you will lose your identity forever. Papua New Guinea is one of the last countries in the world which still keeps its own identity but it may have gone very soon....
Nobody knows where this country is heading for.

Body Paint

Body Paint is important for Traditional Dance in Papua New Guinea.
Different color is used in different cultures/tribes, such as Red, Brown, Yellow, Black, White etc....
Here in Madang, Body is painted with Red color before being decorated by leaves and feathers.

This is the secret of the red color. The fruit is smashed and red juice inside is used to paint the body, then rub the oil to make the body shiny.

Baby boy was looking at how elders are being painted and he started painting himself.
Yes, I am also a boy and need to dress up !!

Best Cot in Papua New Guinea

This is the Best cot in Papua New Guinea.
The baby is in a Bilum (string bag) hanging under the High-post house - it's cool, soft and tender.
I wish I could go back to baby and sleep like this......

Home-grown Aibika for Dinner

Yesterday, we have harvested the Aibika leaves from our home garden.

Some of you have never heard "Aibika". It is a green leafy vegetable common in South Pacific countries. It goes very well with chicken & other meat and a "Must" ingredients for coastal people of Papua New Guinea.
I did not know that Aibika flower looks like Hibiscus, because nobody awaits here until the plant is flowering - harvest and eat before the flower blossoms.

We cooked the Aibika with pumpkin & chicken for a Dinner.

If you are next time in Papua New Guinea, don't forget to eat Aibika.

Nation's birthday

On 16th September 1975, Australian flag was replaced by the flag of a new country called Papua New Guinea.
We will have 34 years "birthday" of the young nation tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Papua New Guinea, despite all the problems, I trust your future is bright.
The photo was taken at Independence celebration at Korobosea International school.
From top left, Tolai (Rabaul), Mekeo (Central), Rigo (Central) & Simbu groups dancing away with their traditional costume.

Goroka show will go on despite....

Less than a month ago, Goroka Chamber of Commerce who has been in charge of the famous Goroka show for last 5 years has suddenly walked out and tried to cancel the famous Goroka show.
However, Air Niugini, Bird of Paradise Hotel, Pacific Gardens Hotel, Goroka Trek & Tours and other stake holders came in and told the "old boys", "OK, if you can't run the show, please vacate so that we can run it."

Even though it was a start from the scratch without assurance of the funds, we believed in the old saying "where there is a will, there is a way."

With the limited funds, the committee has purchased the laminating machine and making thousands of show tickets by hands with the help of the volunteers.

Eventually Corporate sponsors have responded for the appeal by the New committee and assisted with funding.

The show can not be cancelled by the people who don't have a heart for Goroka and the show.

The show is the pride of Goroka, Eastern Highlands and Papua New Guinea.

The show will go on.

Traditions must go on

Young Theresa was among the Dancers when German TV crew visited Gaire village outside of Port Moresby. She got an instant tattoo on her body & face painted, dressed up in Grass skirt with shell necklaces, and swang her body to the rhythm of the Kundu Drum.
While Western influence is coming to the villages, she learns how to dance at young age and tradition will be passed onto next generations.... Yes, Traditions must go on !

Amazing Farmers

Highlands people of New Guinea Island are believed to be the first organized farmers in the world, starting drain-equipped gardens more than 9,000 years ago.

They did not, however, formed a country or did not develop modern technology on top of that advantage. Maybe they were happy as they were so they did not have to look for a better life...

Today, Highlanders of Papua New Guinea are known as amazing farmers, making gardens on the hill side of very steep mountains, some climb up to more than 3,000 meters.

The photo was taken from Daulo Pass, border of Eastern Highlands & Simbu Province on the Highlands Highway at altitude of almost 2,500 meters.

This is where people make Sweet Potato, Cabbage, Carrot, Tomato, Broccoli, and all kinds of vegetables you can imagine.

The fertile soil of Highlands and amazing gardening are supporting the livelihood of 6 million population of the country.

Independence Celebration going on

Papua New Guinea became 33 years old on Tuesday, 16th September.

Independence celebration was going on everywhere, and school was no exception.

School kids dressed up with their own village costume and along with the beat of Kundu & Garamut, they danced away for the day. They were all proud to be Papua New Guinean with rich & diversed culture, and the tradition will be passed on to next generation.

Happy Birthday, Papua New Guinea and keep going for the bright future !!

VIP ride by Crocodile

Please pick up the VIP guest from Art shop at 0800am, please handle with care.
That was a first job yesterday, nothing special .... until we found that the guest was not a human being, but a huge Crocodile Figure. As per an order from the client, we have escorted the VIP Croc into the 4WD, sit him on the seat, fastened the seat belt and transported him to airport with care....
The Crocodile together with fellow Ancestral Mask and Figure from Sepik region of Papua New Guinea are now heading for Europe.
After a long journey, hopefully they will find a new home in Bayern, Germany.
Thank you Michael & Xenia for the visit and looking forward to seeing you again !

Living with Volcano - Rabaul

Mt Tavurvur and Mt Vulcan in East New Britain has erupted in 17th September 1994, destroyed almost all parts of Rabaul town. People have left home and evacuated, but soon after they have returned to Rabaul and started reconstruction. This is not the first time in the history and people keep coming back to Rabaul town after the volcano eruption.

Mt Tavurvur is still smoking up after 13 years, some parts of the Rabaul town is still under the ash, but people are living with Volcano.

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I am not sure if Baining Fire Dance is related with this Volcanic activities, but I just guess that ancient people must have tried to contral the God of the mountain by the Fire Dance ?? Bainings are now living in the hinterland but were the traditional residents of Rabaul before being chased by Tolais, so it could be true ??

National Mask Festival will be held in Rabaul/Kokopo and is coming soon - 16th-19th Jul !!

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2008 Model Package Up...

2008 Model Tour Package - Nature & Culture Tour finally on.

http://www.pngexplorers.com/tour/natureculture.html

We have several different plans for different duration- as short as 5 nights to as long as 20 nights.

* Casual New Guinea - for general tourist. Culture & Soft adventure.

*Nature Wonder New Guinea - for nature lover.

*New Guinea Adventure Holiday - for people with more adventure in mind, trekking, village stay etc...

*VIP Executive Holiday - for top-end market

*PNG Highlight Round Trip - visit all the highlights of the country in 2weeks or more - suitable for group trip.

If you have questions or require package rates, please let us know. (wholesale only)

Crocodile - A spiritual animal for Sepik People

You may find many crocodile artifacts while in Sepik river and wonder why.

Many Sepik people of Papua New Guinea beleive that they have originated from Crocodiles.

It is told that a woman who married a crocodile had children with features of half crocodile and half human. And so today a crocodile is spiritual animal to many Sepik people; in some part of Sepik there is a initiation ceremony still alive where young men gets their bodies cut to a crocodile-like skin.

Crocodile means many to Sepik people - is an ancestor, a guard and a symbol of strength etc..

And it also tastes good - a chicken like meat, little bit strong,but without smell.

You want to try next time ?

Living on the Sea - Motuan Tribe

Motuan Tribe, indigenous residents of Port Moresby area has been living on the sea for hundreds of years, and they still do so. They are believed to be arrived from other pacific island by boats, settled along the Southern coast of Papua New Guinea during the pre-history periods. Their language has similarity with other Pacific languages all the way to Hawaii, Fiji, and Madagascar etc...

We organize trip to those villages outside of Port Moresby.

See the real life of Motuan tribe, visit house, garden, church & school. Highlight of the tour would be traditional dance (Sing Sing) and Local food including Sago (Saksak).

It is also possible to stay overnight in the village upon request (advance booking required).

If you are tired of staying in the hotel, why not try to stay on the sea with Motaun Tribe ?

Fjord in South Pacific - Tufi

Fjord is not only found in Northern Europe, it is found here in PNG, too.
Tufi has great landscape, most likely created by the volcano eruption long time ago, but now covered with green, making it a perfect Tropical Fjord.
Since it is a remote destination, the nature & culture is intact in the area.
It is world famous for scuba divers, and there are other attractions such as unique culture, trekking, kayaking, fishing etc…
Tufi Dive Resort is the only modern accommodation in the area but for more adventurous tourists, we can arrange village stay for 1 or 2 nights.

National Museum Re-opend

National Museum & Art Gallery is re-opend for public after more than 6 months of closure...

I have heard the news and visited this morning if the information was correct, and it was.

Museum Staff looked boring as they have very few visitors since it was re-opened around 2 weeks ago. - becasue nobody knew that it was re-opened !!

The National Museum & Art Gallery has good collection of artifacts, ornaments, fishing equipment, musical instruments, etc... and worth visting while in Port Moresby, even if you are not really interested in culture & history of Papua New Guinea.

It opens for public from 0830-1530 (Mon-Fri) & 1300-1530 on Sundays.