WOW! PNG was intense. Such a primitive place, seems almost to be suspended in time. It was such foreign surroundings for us, but looked to be the same for the people of PNG to see us and find us so foreign as well. Hard to prepare yourself for such a contrast to how we live our lives with technology, transportation, food, family dynamics, hygiene, dress and tradition.
We traveled to 3 different parts of PNG, that were all very distinctly unique. Tari, which was at 9,000 feet elevation, cold and damp. Karawari, which was extremely hot, humid and accessible only by river boat. And Mt. Hagen, considered a city with more westernized ways and activity.
There are less words and more opportunity to see what we saw through photos, so here are some from our 6 days in PNG…
Tari
Flight to Tari
A gorgeous waterfall, during our rain forest hike
The Huli People
A father teaching his sons to shoot bow and arrow
Planting Sweet Potatoes…their most abundant crop
The Huli Wig Men at “Wig” Schoool
A bridge made of Bamboo, said to be as sturdy as steel
Yes, I see the similarities
Learning the trades of the Huli Women (they grow and tend the garden, they cook, they make their own clothing and sacks to carry anything from food to babies, they raise the children and the live separately from the men…huh?)
One of the Huli Wig Men starting a fire with a bamboo stick
Karawari
On our way, on a VERY little plane…no idea what to expect
The airport
A friendly welcome
Karawari Lodge
Inside one of the family huts
Time in the villages
Yikes…human skulls from back in the headhunting and cannibalism days…the 1960’s doesn’t seem that long ago, does it?
A very special send-off
Mt. Hagen:
Mudmen of Mt.Hagen – created to scare away members of other tribes that were trying to steal their land…it worked.
Brayden and Brooke scaring away evils spirits
Mt. Hagen – serious belt negotiations
Mt. Hagen Markets – some of the most beautiful agriculture ever seen
Mother’s Festival
Back to Australia…check in for more photos.
Great pics, Brad…hard to imagine what you are experiencing…the pictures are amazing!
Thank you for posting these Brandy… so cool! sending love to you all from angie