- 期間: 1 Day (approx.)
- 所在地: Alotau
- 製品コード: alotauday
Alotau - Milne Bay Day Tour
Milne Bay is an area on the very far eastern end Papua New Guinea that consists of seven groups of islands. During the war, the Bay was a very large naval base in which thousands of servicemen and ships passed through. The Bay is spread out over thousands of kilometers of ocean and known for its impeccable diving. Milne Bay offers plenty of reefs that are very well preserved and packed with wildlife. Due to the areas use during the war, there are also many wrecks that are very popular amongst divers.
Located on the north shore of Milne Bay, Alotau is the capital of the province. While there are many points of interest in the city the Battle of Milne Bay Memorial is one that carries a lot of weight. Alotau is where the Australian and Papuan forces pushed back the Japanese during the war and ultimately led to the Japanese's first land defeat.
Today you will explore the city and enjoy lunch at a local village in the area. The tour today is packed with culture, local experiences, tours, history, and offers a great glimpse into the lifestyle here in PNG.
End of services.
Included in cost:
- Pickup and drop off at location in Alotau
- Bottle of water
- Transfers throughout the day
Excluded in cost:
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Personal items such as sunscreen, insect repellant, etc
- Visas
- Day 1: I am warmly greeted by David Kima, who recounts the story and conservation movement of Hogave. We arrive in the middle of the local village mourning of a recently deceased member, a very rare and local experience, totally unplanned. After 3 hours of very rocky road driving, I arrive at the Hogave Conservation Centre welcomed by two villagers who performed a traditional wind instrument that very few locals can play, and incredibly, I become only the second (or third) tourist ever to stay here.
- Day 2: I trek through a truly "virgin" rain forest, one of very few remaining in the world (Congo, Amazon, and PNG), guided by three locals bushwhacking the way with machetes, climb a very wild and steep mountain side equivalent of 200 floors (according to my iPhone) to become the first tourist to reach the top of Mt. Michael. (The way down in the pouring rain was our least favorite moment.) As someone who has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, I can truthfully say this was a much more challenging level of difficulty - There the most I've climbed in one day was 134 floors, 3-4 hours max, with a different day dedicated to a descent, but in Michael, it was 200 floor, up and down in one day, for 10-12 hours, with far steeper and unpaved paths without camps. This hike/trek is only for the fittest of the fit!
- Day 3: I become the first tourist to visit and stay overnight at Hogave Village, an isolated and remote hour-and-a-half walk from HCC, and join the villagers in peeling potatoes and taro, preparing, and eating mumu. I stay overnight with David (another David) and his family.
- Day 4: I join the villagers gathered to enjoy a traditional hunting performance
- Day 5: I get cellular reception for the first time since I arrive in PNG and get to upload and share my first batch of photos with my friends. https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.837672754956.1073741876.3501655&type=3
- Day 1: I ride a local bus (!) with my guide Pauline Puipui to Ratavul where I visit to stay with her family. I visit the local beach, listen to the stories of Pauline's parents, and join them for dinner which is mumu with the biggest giant claims I've ever seen in my life! I stay overnight at an authentic hut and bed made of woven coconut leaves.
- Day 2: I try weaving coconut leaves, scraping coconuts, etc. in preparing mumu that we enjoy with the family and neighbors, then string together local currency of shells. https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.836154502546.1073741875.3501655&type=3
- Day 3: I am amazed by the first day of Mask Festival with the early morning Kinavai and nighttime Baining Fire Dance. https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.837870833006.1073741880.3501655&type=3 In between during the day, I snorkel and sail with dolphins on the way to/from Duke of York Islands where I explore and picnic at the beach. https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.836148634306.1073741874.3501655&type=3
- Days 4-5: More amazing moments at the Festival
- Day 6: I climb to the top Mt Tavurvur volcano and explore Rabaul, including the Japanese bunker and barge tunnels, and Rabaul Museum/Rabaul Hotel. What a history! https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.837875388876.1073741881.3501655&type=3
-Grace Forker, Comprehensive Multi-Destination PNG Expedition
