Madang, Papua, New Guinea

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If you are looking for a land where the world has passed by, Papua, New Guinea is a great place to start.  It is a contrast of modern, well maintained resorts supporting a tourist trade to tribes living as they did hundreds of years ago.  When you look at the pictures don’t think of them as poor but living as their ancestors had.  The primary tourists are SCUBA divers and those seeking peace and quiet.  I spoke to an elder Australian passenger who had served as a patrol agent in this area during the 50’sand 60’s before independence in 1972.  He told of tribal warfare and a world living in the past.  It really hasn’t changed all that much and Australia still pays a large subsidy to maintain the people.

Our arrival was an event as only one or two cruise ship[s call at the port each year.  Madang is known as one of the prettiest ports in the South Pacific.  Here is a panorama of our sail-in.

As we docked in the port many locals came by heading for the town.  One method of transport were these small outriggers.

There was also some fishing going on.

Another way to get around is a more modern but still rustic power boat.

Outside of the main town the villages are still built on stilts as a protection against the tides.  I have no idea what happens in the town?

A local market where things are bartered.  It seems that they don’t use money for most of their needs.  The primary currency is bartering for the daily needs of life.  Obviously there is electricity but it runs through many villages on line poles and doesn’t “stop.”

Fishing along the coast for dinner.  No, they are not using rods and reels.  Just bamboo with string.

The people are absolutely great.  In the villages and those that came to the ship area to sell their goods.  All items ere handmade and very nice.  There were a lot of blow guns, bow and arrow sets, shields and other weapons for sale.  It was interesting to watch the ship’s security people taking all the weapons from the passengers as they re-boarded (All will be returned on the last night of the cruise).  They also had little concept of how much things were worth off the island and making change.  Everything was sort of a group discussion as to the right price and correct change.  It was really interesting.

One of the interesting things for sale was Beatle Nut. Crushed and mixed with some other ingredients it is chewed.  It provides a slight “relaxing” feeling and everyone was chewing it.  It also turns the teeth red.

There was a local band to greet us and played all day.  The guys sitting hit the ends of the long bamboo to create the drums.  No CDs for sale.

I got Noreen in one picture.  As you can see it wasn’t a sunny day in paradise.  She felt like a wet dog.

When we left many came to the shore to see us off.   It was an interesting but wet day.

Now it is off to Manila.