- Продолжительность: 8 Minutes (approx.)
- Место встречи: Wewak
- Код предложения: wewakhalfday
Wewak Day Tour
The Sepik region is home to hundreds of thousands of people who rely almost solely on the river and dense forest around it to support them. This is an area of the world where it is as though time has stood still for the last 50 years. The reliance on the land and mother nature to provide all that is needed for the locals of the area is an incredible example of perseverance and a true show of what the necessities of life really are.
Wewak, the capital and a main stop in the province, is located on the northern coast of New Guinea. Situated beautifully between the ocean and coastal mountain range, there is absolutely no shortage of views for you here. The town is home to nearly 30,000 people and has long been the main entrance for travelers venturing out onto the Sepik River, usually via Pagwi. The city is complete with historic remnants and sites to a beautiful beach lined with palm trees.
For those history buffs on the tour, Wewak was perhaps most notably remembered as the largest Japanese airbase on New Guinea during WWII. Not far from the base is Cape Wom where the Japanese forces surrendered to the constant attack by Australian and American forces. This spot is now a frequently visited spot for travelers in the area.
Itinerary:
Today the tour will begin from the Paradise New Wewak hotel after breakfast around 9AM. The tour can also begin in the afternoon at 1PM if you prefer an afternoon tour.
This half-day tour will include many Japanese war relics and historical sites. It is quite interesting to see the remnants of the war still very apparent. There are, for example, spots near the airport where craters from bombs have left their mark and can still be seen today.
Today will also include a visit to Cape Wom and the memorial there, Mission Hill lookout, Japanese Peace Park, and more.
A wonderful and upbeat side of a city is often their markets. Wewak does not fall short in this department. There are many colorful and vibrant markets to visit throughout the city. In addition to markets, there is a flourishing arts and craft movement in the city that is not to be missed. There are many things available to buy from jewellery to special masks, and much more in the way of souvenirs, many of which have been carefully crafted by local artisans. Bonus - you are getting some authentic PNG goods to take home with you and also supporting locals artists and the economy.
Markets are sometimes seen as a way of life. It is often here where visitors can really interact with locals and get a great feel for their way of life and every day.
The morning tour will end at around 12PM, if you opt for the afternoon tour, it will end around 4PM. In both cases you will be dropped back off at your hotel.
End of tour
Included in cost:
- Local guide- Tour
Not included in cost:
- Travel insurance
- Meals and drinks
- Personal items such as sunscreen, insect repellant, etc
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Отзывы
- 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
