The Beat of Kalam

Getting immersed in a cultural phenomenon
by Betrand Linet

Simbai is the home of the Kalam tribe in the heart of the highlands of Madang. It is one of Papua New Guinea’s undeveloped places where people still live a subsistence lifestyle in traditional villages scattered through pristine wilderness territory and untouched by westernisation.

With a unique, authentic, living and breathing showcase of Kalam culture, staged for no one but themselves, their ancestors would definitely have turned in their graves in pride and joy.

When my French friend Marc Dozier, a Papua New Guinea specialist, described Simbai to me, I knew it would be my next destination in PNG. So, when I landed at the tiny airstrip in Simbai recently to watch the festival , I was so excited. I didn’t know I would spend one of my most memorable experiences in Papua New Guinea.

Maria Helpim Pilgrimage

After having report during my hiking adventure to Halopa Station and Wauwap Waterfall in Madang early this year, I have decided to be part of a pilgrimage event by the Catholic religion. This is an annual event that falls on every September before PNG’s Independence Day.

On Wednesday 15^th September (just a day before PNG’s Independence), I went on a pilgrimage to “Maria helpim” with Arnold Sapurie. This was the place in Madang province where the Steyl Missionaries and the Holy Spirit Sisters would hide from the attacks of Japanese during the Second World War in 1941 to 1945. In remembrance of the guidance of Maria (mother of Jesus Christ) whom the missionaries prayed to for protection they walk this path every year.

B17 Black Jack Wreck in Boga Boga, Cape Vogel



Black Jack's Tail-plane and Archie the Divemaster from Tufie Dive



Lying undisturbed in the deep water just off the fringing reef from the remote village of Boga Boga on the tip of Cape Vogel, is what many consider to be the best aircraft wreck in Papua New Guinea and possibly the world.

The wreck is the B-17F “Black Jack”, serial number 41-24521, and one of the first Flying Fortress bombers built at the Boeing factory in Seattle during WWII.

PNG hailed as world class adventure hub

Pns

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

PORT MORESBY - Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been hailed as the last adventure in the world and a world class adventure destination.