A. On December 26,2013 at 1005 we took the PR 507 flight Singapore arriving thereto at 1350;
A.1 After waiting at the Lounge which accepts a Priority Pass Card Holder, we thereafter took the Air Niugini(PX393) flight to Port Moresby at 2025;
B.On December 27, 2013, the recently cited flight arrived Port Moresby t at 0500;
B.1 Upon arrival we made several calls through Cell Phone (675)7204 6950 to Ecotourism Melanesia Tourist Guide Mr. Emmanuel Kailomwho under a sleepy voice finally answered that it would take approximately thirty(30) minutes for them to reach the airport;
B.1.1.We were fortunate that the wheelchair pusher was patient enough to accompany us while waiting for Emmanuel;
B.1.2 He inquired the cell phone number of Emmanuel and thereafter reached him out with his hand held phone as he thereafter assured that Emmanuel was coming any moment now;
B.1.3 When I thereafter offered a monetary amount or tip to him he refused acceptance of the same consistent with his dignified bearing prompting me to say to myself that this type of people indeed is heaven sent which may be uncommon today especially in Port Moresby where crime against life and property are reportedly prevalent;
B.1.4 When Emmanuel arrived he apologized claiming that he was of the belief that we would be arriving at 0600 which is normally the time of arrival taking into account the usual delays;
B.1.5 Emmanuel thereafter brought us to the nearby Airways Hotel where we first checked in with the Reception where we were told that the free breakfast covered by the travel arrangement would take effect only tomorrow and for that moment we had to pay either cash or credit the cost of our breakfast;
B.1.6After Emmanuel told us that he together with lady driver Stephanie would fetch us at 0830 we were then brought to Bacchus Wing particularly at Twin Room No.2002;
B .1.7 After freshening up we went to partake our breakfast at the Seventh(7th) Floor where we had to pass three (3) doors where we would insert our room card to gain entry which is indicative that the place is tightly secured presumptively posed by the surrounding;
B.1.8Upon ascending the Seventh(7th) floorwe passed through a pathway serving as a bridge leading through breakfast area or restaurant where we saw as part of the decoration a big plane within the space down below;
B.1.9 From our breakfast table at the breakfast area we could see a panoramic view of the mountains distantly located and also thenearby airportrunway;
B.1.10 We interacted with a Filipinawho claimed that she comes from the Bicol Region and that she is working at the restaurant as the Cashier;
B.2 After breakfast at 0800 we saw Emmanuel who decided that inasmuch as we were already there at the lobby we should already commence the city tour although the appointed time was 0830 yet;
B.2.1 We firstly proceeded to the PNG Art Warehouse(Warehouse) but the doors were not yet opened prompting us to visit various lookouts overlooking Hanuabada and Koki areas where one could see houses on stilts before going back to the Warehouse;
B.2.2 We finally gained entry to the Warehouse where we met Ken who is the General Manager, a Canadian, whoseage approximates my age (thus definitely is aging), has a predisposition to be attracted to beautiful young ladies which became obvious when he inquired whether or not there were many beautiful ladies in the Philippines like that of Ash (which if so he was definitely interested to visit the Philippines);
B.2.2.1 In answer to his query, Iexaggeratedly said “Althoughadmittedly there are many beautiful ladies in the Philippines as exemplified by numerous Filipinas recently winning in international beauty contests, I nevertheless think Ash’ appearance is uniquely beautiful and not common under Philippine setting”;
B.3 While walking through the big display area, I pointed at the old Baining big-eyed masks used in fire ceremonies in Rabaul which I have long been wanting to acquire but to no avail and inquired whether or not it was being sold;
B.3.1 He told me that it was not possible to sell the same as they are considered antiques;
B.3.1.1I was further informed that the reason why it could not easily be found isthat it is part of the ritual to burn the same thus no remnants of the same exists;
B.4 I was later offered by Ken aNew Ireland Mask and that although I have already inpossession of a version of a mask from that area I neverthelessyielded to the offer because it is eye catching aside from being different from what I alreadyhave;
B.4.1 I thereafter bought four(4) other items including two (2) primitive dolls, another one (1) hand carved tribal person and one(1) being used in ceremonial rites for the dead;
B.4.2 I requested to have them shipped where I learned that they could do it only via DHL and that the amount including transport would roughly add up to Two Hundred Thousand Pesos(P200,000.00);
B.4.3 These are the financial hustles which I always encounter in my desire to bring these expensive rare cultural objects back to the Philippines as trophies of the difficult journeys and for which I expressed my deepest thanks to Our Lord for allowing me to travel and to be possessed with the sufficient financial capability to purchase the same to eventually showcase these objectsunder Philippine setting;
B.5 After the Warehouse we passed through the road where the paintings are beingdisplayed fronting the Holiday Inn and around thereto;
B.5.1 I bought the big painting depicting the four(4) main tribes of PNG which include Mt. Hagen,etc.;
B.6 We thereafter visited the Nature Park where we saw varieties of cassowaries,tree kangaroos, big violet pigeons with built in crowns,hornbills, red male parrots, green female parrots,etc.;
B.6.1 The clean walkway and bridges of the Nature Park are worth emulating;
B.6.2 We are gratified to see the monument of Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal;
B.7 Thereafter we partook lunch at the Japanese Restaurant where Emmanuel admitted that he was not yet skillful in using the chopsticks;
B.8 Thereafter we drove through a thirty (30) kilometer road leading to high Rocky Mountains where you get a view of the waterfall;
B.8.1 We thereafter visited the Park where we could supposedly see birds of paradise;
B.8.2 Unlike our guide in our recent trip to Tikal,Guatemala who could effectively communicate with the birds by effectively simulating the bird sounds thus enabling us to have sightings of their exact whereabouts and through his firm and steady hands he could get clear photo shots of the birds sightings, Emmanuel (who admits he was a just substitute for the regular guide and who appears to be a bit effeminate in his bodily movements)was not that efficient to secure sightings and photos of the supposed birds of paradise although he would claim that the bird sounds we were intermittently hearing were that coming from the birds of paradise.
B.9 We were brought thereafter at the Hotel to rest and freshen out for our dinner at the Seventh (7th) floor restaurant;
B.9.1 For our dinner meals, I chose Chicken Tika as it sounded well while Ash chose beef barbeque;
B.9.2 We did not realize that they would come in extraordinarily big servings thus I would request that my unconsumed Chicken Tika which comes in a big pizza like appearance to be wrapped for later consumption at the room;
- On December 28,2013 due to my shortened sleep I decided to step out of the room around 0400 and justwalked to and from along the corridor and not beyond for security reason for my exercise;
C.1 We thereafter partook breakfast buffet style considering that it was already paid for but again we could simply consume a small portion of the big food servings;
C.2 Considering the many hours available yet before we would proceed to the airport at 1430 we requested one of the hotel staff named Lester to accompany us after his duty at 1200 for a last minute look of Port Moresby using a taxi in the hope we could have a glimpse of the local market, Parliament House which appears in all PNG currency denominations, BotanicalGarden, Department Store,etc. for one (1) hour under a contract price equivalent to One Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($125);
C.2.1 At the outset Lester denied the visit to the Market because of the danger being posed thereto because of the unwieldy crowd in said area;
C.3 We were firstly brought to the Holiday Inn where Lester brought us to the shop inside selling local handicrafts (where in his excitement he twisted his forefinger while in the act of pointing thinking that the cabinet was without glass) and later to the nearby places displaying where I told Lester that we had already been here and that we were able to buy a painting yesterday;
C.3.1 We nevertheless decided to have a second(2nd) look on the possibility we could buy a bellum (hand-woven local bag)but we rather decided not to buy;
C.3.2 We were later brought to the supposed Botanical Garden but upon arrival we told him that we were here already yesterday realizing that the Botanical Garden and Nature Park is but one and the same thus we decided to proceed to the Department Store where he brought us to a shop showing indigenous materials;
C.3.2.1 I was prompted to buy two(2) grass skirts from Poppondetta and ornate bag from Madang and a map of PNG as knitted in a big violet clothing material;
C.4 Upon arrival back to the Hotel we proceeded to the storeroom where our luggage werealready deposited to retrieve my bag containing my passport and tickets;
C.4.1 We spent time with the Coffee Shop where we met the Manager who is comparatively of a lighter complexion where he explained that his features are characteristic of those coming from the middle part of PNG;
C.4.1.1 He appears extremely solicitous and cordial as he explained the history of the Hotel owned by a Greek which started from few rooms which grew to One Hundred (100) rooms;
C.4.1.2 He has been with the Hotel fordecades already as his smiling face is representative of his loyalty and satisfaction of having worked with the Hotel;
C.4.2 We availed of the Hotel shuttle bus to the airport around 1430 for our 1630 PX120 flight to Wewak;
C.5 I failed to avail of the wheelchair thus I and Ash had to walk to look for our gate in the metalenclosure outside the building proper to gain entry at the assigned gate to eventually reach the carrier;
C.5.1 The plane arrived Wewak at 1800 where the driver of the shuttle bus of Wewak Boutique Hotel could not help us in carrying our bags into the bus claiming that he had a foot accident;
C.5.2 His name is Florein;
C.6Upon reaching the Hotel I was immediately impressed by the decoration of well-chosen artifacts coming from the area and other parts of PNG like the shell money display at the reception and later a variety of artifacts coming from Mt. Hagen,Sepik,etc. at the dining area;
C.6.1 Though we could not immediately communicate with James Congco who is the official travel guide announced in the itinerary, we were told by Emmanuel that Leo would be fetching at 0700 the following day and that he would be providing us with the telephone number of Leo;
C.6.1.1 Upon finally hearing the voice of Leo through the efforts of Ash I remained at ease;
C.6.1.2 I proceeded to take a shower and thereafter clothe myself with a comfortable white collarless T-shirt to pair with newly bought boxer or short pants in preparation for the dinner at the restaurant of the new building of the Hotel where we would be transported to and from by Florein;
C.7 Upon arrival at the restaurant I was impressed once more with the presence of numerous well chosenartificats from across PNG artistically displayed across the newly built Restaurant and Hotel ;
C.7.1 The restaurant was filled up with customers when we arrived at the Hotel;
C.7.2 We were able to meet the General Manager of the Restaurant Jesse Santos who hails from Pampanga;
C.7.2.1 He claimed that it was hard for him to effect savings although he rarely goes out during his free time;
C.7.3 We chose for our dinner the exotic tail of the crocodile,crab meat and another viand together with soup;
C.8 Upon reaching back the Hotel we finally met the General Manager Sam Rodriguezwho offered us fruits which look like betel nuts which has a nice taste;
C.8.1 We learned that he is from Bulacan and used to work at SycipGorresVelayo and has been with his present position almost twenty eight (28) years now although there was short interregnum during the above-cited stint when he returned back to the Philippines where he was again requested to reassume with his erstwhile position;
C.8.2 The Hotel is owned by Australians with Chinese descent;
C.8.2.1 Reportedly they are brother and sister where the former is engaged in trading and serves as financier and architect while the latter is artistically inclined as she was responsible for beautiful placement of PNG artifacts(with complete descriptions) on the white surroundings
- On December 29, 2013 we took our breakfast where I chose the Asian style while Ash chose the American style;
H.1 Consistent with our earlier observation that food servings in PNG at five (5) star Hotel like the Airways Hotel in Port Moresby were plentiful, we again experience heavy and multiple servings at the Boutique Hotel thus we were able to eat only small portions which could serve as blessing in disguise in view anyway of our aspirations to become slim;
H.7 Before leaving I mentioned to Sam on the possibility that we could be arriving back to the Hotel beyond 2100 which is the closing time of the restaurant thus Sam suggested that we immediately place our order for dinner as he would cause the same to be delivered at our room;
H.7.1 We told him that we would like to order the Tree Kangaroo Casserolewhich Sam took immediately took note of;
H.8 After breakfast we met in person Leo and we were told to sit at the vacant space allotted for one(1) person at the front seat;
H.8.1 As it could disrupt our projected trip or cause friction I tried to be accommodated at the middle seat with the possibility of the gear stick touching my vital organ every time Leo would change gearwith my Ash being seated at the left besideme and the window;
H.8.2 I would not know whether or not there is malice in his head whenLeo even suggested that Ash should sit at the middle which therefore is no/no proposition;
H.9 We went through with the ride experiencing the anticipated inconvenience we expected at the outset with Ash bumping her head five (5) times;
H.9.1 It was straight driving for almost three(3) hours with a stopover only at a particular marketplace;
H.10 When we reached the Pagwi Station which is the jump of point for the Middle Sepik River we learned through one of the staff that Leo owns a cottage while the other brother Ismael owns a crocodile farm which has five (5) thousand crocodiles, the other two (2) are likewise engaged in business like supplying fuels while the fifth (5th) brother died due to a car accident;
H.10.1 Except for the malicious pronouncement of inviting my girl companion to sit at the middle where gear is beingshifted, I admire the family’s business mindedness which could improve the tourism infrastructure in the otherwise very rural area;
H.11 We finally also met in person the elusive official guide James Congo who said he would bring us toKorogo,Palambei,Kaminabit and Kamanangan;
H.11.1 After cruising through the river for about thirty(30) minutes we reached Korogo whichJames said is their home town;
H.11.1.1. He showed us the cottage which he is currently being built,introduced us to his wife and informed us that he was bringing four(4) young men inside the boat to help in the river cruise as well as to guard the items we would be buying;
H.11.2James pointed to us the nearly dilapidated HausTambaran and that should there still be time later we would visit the same;
H.11.2.1According to the Lone Planet”Korogohas an impressive HausTambaran with a pair of carved eagles at the opposing ends of the roof. Local myth tells of two young women who,whilefishing,attracted the lascivious attentions of the Crocodile Spirit.
The Spirit caused a flood,forcing the girls from their homes into his waiting jaws. One sister was eaten; the other captured and duly married. The union produced two eggs from which eagles,not crocodiles hatched.”;
H.11.2.2 According also to Lonely Planet: “Tambaran is a spirit,so the house tambaran is the house where spirits live,inhabiting sacred carvings and tambu(forbidden or sacred)objects. Up to 50 meters long and 30 meters high,haustambarans are often referred to as “spirit houses” or “men’s houses” because only initiated men are allowed to enter.
Every clan has a haustambaran and they are still very much centre of local life. Men lounge around the shade underneath the building,talking or sleeping. Young male initiates remain up to nine(9) months in the upstair section of the haustambaran why they prepare for (or recuperate from) initiation rites. During this period they cannot look at a woman until they are reborn as men.
The haustambaran is universally a female symbol: its entrance is sometimes vaginal in shape,yet everything about them and what goes on inside them is secret men’ss business and tambu to women. These days the rule is bent for tourist s and both female and male travelers are allowed to enter and look around.”;
H.12 Thereafter we visited Palambei. “ There are two impressive haustambarans.” Upon arriving at the First(1st) tambaran we firstly greeted the male occupants and shook hands with them. Thereafter we proceeded at the second floor where we had to climb a steep bamboo stairs. I bought a wood carving projecting a boat with one person occupying the same.
H.12.1 We thereafter visited theSecond(2nd) tambaran where I bought the two(2) waistline decorations of those initiation rites that would elevate the young males to such as skin cutting to resemble the skin of the crocodile;
H.12.1.1 We also saw the remains of the Third (3rd)tambaran“which was bombed by the Japanese or Americans(depending on whom you ask) in World War II and all that remains are the large upright posts, two of which have sprouted”;
H.12.2 We thereafter visited another place which I failed to get the name and although they did not have haustambarans they have art house where I bought shell moneys similar to what I saw in the Hotel to my happiness and delight;
H.12.3 I bought also a huge penis container and crocodile symbolic accordingly of a water H.12.4 With Ash inquiring whether or not lunch would be provided James brought us to nearby place with a small store where we bought Milo and biscuits to quench our thirst and to fill in our hunger pangs;
H.12.4.1 We were lucky because James knew of a travel colleague in that area who facilitated the acquisition of hot water with which Milo cream would be mixed although James suggested to me to give a tip of ten(10) kina or the equivalent of Five(5) US Dollars;
H.12.4.2 I likewise bought a Sepik doll likened to a dwarf which I am planning to place at the dwarfs’ place at the Cavite display area in Tanza;
H.12.4.3 I subsequently bought a lace with dogs’ teeth on it;
H.13 Our final stop was Kanganaman which took us twenty (20) minutes to reach their HausTambaran which is the oldest;
H.13.1 “Declared a building of national cultural importance, it has been renovated with help from the national Museum and is interesting to visit. It is a huge building with enormous carved posts.”
H.14 After the river cruise we would be availing once more the Leo’s ride back to Wewak;
H.14.1 As anticipated the agony and inconvenience we suffered in coming to Pagwi wasagain repeated in going back to Wewak where I would be shifting my foot from the open style to the close style and with Ash experiencing once more the approximately same number of head bumps with certain innovations this time like the prevailing darkness during the trip and Leo’s predisposition to be sleepy thus extending the number of travel hour s to four(4);
H.14.2 when we arrived at the Hotel the Kangaroo Casserole was waiting for us to be devoured;
- On December 30,2013 we took breakfast and thereafter requested Sam on the possibility of having clear photos of the artifacts’ display at the other building to which he obliged as he was also going there to take photos of the building perspective and that we could join him in going to the area;
I.1 As the checkout time in the Hotel is 1000 we immediately caused the removal of our bags from the room to be placed at the lobby prior to 1000;
I.1.1 Wewere brought by the Hotel Shuttle at 1030 at the Airport to await the flight PX945 from Wewak to Port Moresby arriving thereto at 1355;
I.2 Upon arrival at Port Moresby I availed of a wheelchair for us to be brought to the International Airport for check in under PX10 flight from Port Moresby to Manila which would leave 1700 arriving Manila at 2010(whose travel time actually comprised of five(5) hours considering that Manila time is ahead of PNG time by two(2) hours);
I.3 Thank you Lord that the above-cited schedule was realized inorder for us to have time to prepare the entry of the New Year;
J.4 Again,thank you Lord for another wonderful trip.
