A Travel to Tobenam Village - Madang, Bogia District

Photo: A local head-dresser from the Tobenam village. The mask is mostly made up of woven sea-shells and a pig’s task hanging from the mouth of the person.

Sitting in front and asleep, I was awakened by a sudden collision of the vehicle’s front left tyre. Running over a huge pothole, our driver was trying to avoid and in fact trying to save a dog’s life blocking our way! The collision almost got my head bumped on the roof of the vehicle as we approached Malala’s St. Michael’s Secondary School, one of Madang’s oldest high schools run by the Catholic Church.

This was my first trip ever to Bogia District and was thrilling on a beautiful Friday afternoon of 1^st March 2013, enjoying different scenic views of Madang’s north coast on the main highway. It was now around 5:30pm and was over 3hours road journey from Madang town to Malala and my final destination was a few minutes away.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco visits Madang

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco graced Madang with his presence flying into Madang on November 30 and leaving on December 2, 2012.

The Prince, whose foundation-The Prince Albert II Foundation, is one of the major financiers of the Papua Niugini Biodiversityexpedition currently being undertaken at Mt Wilhelm and Madang, had made this private visit to see first-hand the progress of work being done. The expedition has been in progress for over a month by a group of scientists from 20 countries.  

Cultural display rekindles Prince Charles memories 50 years ago

The Prince of Wales surprised Papua New Guineans this morning at the Sir John Guise Stadium with his introduction in tok pisin.

In tok pisin the prince told the crowd: “Mi bringem bikpela tok hamamas biltong Mejesti Kwin bilong Papua Niugini na olgeta haus lain bilong mi lon dispela taim bilong Diamon Jubili bilon misis kwin na olgeta haus lain bilong mi lon dispela taim bilong Diamon Jubili bilong misis kwin.”

The crowd responded instantly with cheers echoing through the stadium.

The translation: I bring you greetings from Her Majesty The Queen of Papua New Guinea and from all my Family Members during this celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of The

Queen.

The Prince then asked the crowd: “Mi tokpisin orait.” (Was my tok pidgin all right). The crowded responded ‘yes’ with cheers and smiles.

The Prince’s recall of his first visit in 1975 during the country’s Independence proved how much the future king has grown fond with Papua New Guinea.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you will forgive me reminiscing a little.

“For I paid my first visit here nearly 50 years ago, the happy result of an extension to my school career in Australia. I have never forgotten  the profound impact of that visit.

“I vividly recall the powerful worship in Dogura Cathedral  which affected me greatly; and, I was overwhelmed to learn that, at Wadua, the drums had been beating for several days in anticipation of my arrival.

“The importance of Papua New Guinean culture has remained with me ever since. It was therefore a particular pleasure, having welcomed Papua New Guineans living in Britain

to St. James's Palace a few days ago, that my wife and I could depart to the beat of a kundu drum.

PNG to feature at major travel show at UK

Papua New Guinea’s potential as an exotic and alluring tourist destination will be featured for the first time at the World Travel Market, which will take place between November 5 and 12 in London’s Excel Arena.

The event will see 4000 exhibitors and travel service providers from across the world and is known to be the place to be for spotting trends and forecasts in the tourism industry.

Retracing the track of Saidor Campaign

This tour was taken under the request of David Anderson and his son Dave, who wanted to visit some of the areas around Saidor in the Rai Coast area where David's father (also named David Anderson) who once took part in a military campaign during the World War 2. David's main intention was to understand better the terrain where his father once fought and campaigned against the Japanese invasion. His father was in the US 128th infantry and was engaged in January and February 1944.

Below are some of the photo highlights:

Dave trying out a beat of a kundu-drum with Maiyau (in traditional dress) and David Anderson clapping after a warm traditional welcome at the Yamai village - Photos by Theodore Baworo (Theo'...)

Theo's Guide scouts Saidor in the Rai Coast area

Below are some of the photo highlights - Photos by Theodore Baworo (Theo'...)

Papua New Guinea: Expanding Tourism

Papua New Guinea: Expanding tourism Asia | 6 Aug 2012

With visitor arrival numbers and tourism spend both up in recent years, Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) tourism sector is showing solid signs of consistent growth. A renewed focus on niche markets, particularly adventure and ecotourism, has seen international recognition of the burgeoning sector. However, a lack of infrastructure and security issues could frustrate further achievements.

Maximus Film Crew of German visits Madang

Maximus Film crew of German, does a documentary film in Madang province.

Thanks to National Film Institute and Madang Provinical Administration for approving their visit and a special mention to Caspar Guide in collaboration with Theo's Guide and Barum's west-tourism community.

Maximus Film Crew of German (based in Munich). 

Below are some of their photograph highlights of a village cultural experience at Barum Village.

An Adelbert Mountains Bush Trek

By Catherine Frerichs, Visiting Professor of Writing

Divine Word University

On my immediate left, I’m standing by a traditional, white, European statue of the Virgin Mary. On my far left are the upper ridges of the Adelberts. Out over the lower ridges of the Adelberts and across the Vitiaz Strait, I can see the peak of Mt. Konigoi, the dormant volcano on Karkar Island, just above a collar of clouds. On my far right lies the Madang Harbour. I recognize islands from the Saturday morning kayaking I do with my friends: Pig, Little Pig, Long, and a finger of Krangket.

I am enjoying this spacious view from Halopa Station, to which six other expatriate friends and I hiked with our guide, Theodore Baworo of Theo’s Guide & Wantok Tours, and Arnold Sapurie, his assistant. Theo, originally from Milne Bay, is a 2010 graduate of Divine Word University’s Tourism Management and Hospitality program. He has devoted himself to developing PNG village tourism programs (http://pngvillagetravel.blogspot.com) of the type we were experiencing, as well as providing free tourism awareness and education to the potential rural tourism destinations as a tourism consultant.

World's largest privately-owned yacht visits Madang

The mv Octopus owned by billionaire Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft sailed into Madang over  Easter

mv Octopus is 126m, almost 3, 000 tonnes, costs US$200 million and travels around the world for the owner and his friends. Paul Allen, reported to be the third-wealthiest man in the USA and 12th in the world called into Madang for diving with Skita Libido from the Madang Resort.

The picture shows the garage housing a submarine, catamaran, numerous tenders and jet skis.

 It also carried two helicopters which have their own hangar and the ship is staffed by 60 including two US ex Seals.The Kalibobo Spirit and Madang Resort can be seen in the background. - Picture by SIBONA MANI

Source: Malum Nalu