Day 40: Harbour "Cruise"
This morning we woke up, got ready (our shower isn’t working), and shuttled over to the resort to grab our morning boat tour around the area. We had breakfast and then went down to the water to meet our guide, Kiapen, and boat driver, Albas, for our "cruise". The boat was a little fisherman-like motorboat, and since we were the only ones who booked for today, we climbed in for our private tour!
The boat took us out onto the water, and we were introduced to Mount Tavurvur, with smoke bellowing from its open crater. Kiapen told us a lot of history about the area, the villages, and the peoples’ experiences with past volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. We passed by small fishing boats and waved at the fishermen, and also saw remains of shipwrecks and caves from when the Japanese invaded Papua New Guinea and were attacked by the Australians. The boats from that era still remain sunk here, so we could see wrecked and drowned ships all around, as well as some old, rusted cannons.
We found out so much interesting history about the area, which was really amazing to learn. For example, one of the now-dormant volcanoes used to be an island on its own, but it erupted some years ago and basically connected itself to the mainland with a 150-metre new piece of land! We also sailed over an area where there used to be an island but due to a massive earthquake, the island collapsed and sunk leaving behind two tall pillars (known as the “Beehives”). When we looked into the water, there it was, the island underneath our boat… I mean, who knew an island could collapse and sink? Just nuts.
Then we sailed by what was left of the town of Rabaul. Very few things survived the eruption, and Kiapen showed us where things used to be – it was a tragic site to see black ash where there used to be a thriving community.
We made our way along the black coast and reached natural hot springs that were so hot (because of the nearby volcanoes) that the water was actually boiling beneath us. We got off the boat and walked on the black ash sand there, being very careful to try to avoid the ever-moving boiling spots. It was really amazing to be walking in hot springs caused by volcanic activity! Then, a man came walking by out of nowhere selling Megapod eggs (more on that in a minute) and we bought one and he boiled it for us in the boiling volcanic waters!
After spending a while there, we went over to the base of the volcano, where the ash-sand was so soft, our feet just sunk into it when we stepped off the boat. We walked around there for a bit and then went over to our next stop: a place where Megapod birds lay their eggs and bury them in the volcanic ash (which is warm so it serves as an incubator). Knowing this, men come from nearby villages and dig out these eggs – their bodies entirely covered in ash – in order to sell them at the market in town.
Finally, we hopped back into the boat and went over to Pidgin Island, where we snorkeled the coral reef there right off the shore of the island. This was probably the biggest highlight of the cruise. The coral there was like nothing we had ever seen, better than the Caribbean. The millions of fish and water creatures in millions of colours blew our mind away. The Great Barrier Reef had nothing on this. This was what we had been wanting to see! It was so utterly amazing to see all of these colourful creatures just swimming around us, watching us as we watched them. We found lots of “Nemos” who were absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, our camera died soon into our snorkeling expedition, so we had to memorize the beauty of it (not that we would ever forget it)!
Our snorkeling time came to an end too soon, and our cruise time was over, so we had to go back to the hotel. We were so sad to be leaving the coral reef and vowed to try and come back before we left PNG. On our way back, a manatee (we think) came up and dove in the water right next to us in the middle of the ocean! So cool!
We had lunch at the resort and then asked our hotel to drop us off at the Warwagira festival – a traditional song and dance festival – happening close by. Sadly, we arrived just as they went on a several-hour break, so we went back to the hotel and passed some time before going back to the resort for dinner.
So far, we’ve made quite a few friends here, and it’s only been a day. The staff here are so nice and so friendly, and we have already been getting to know them and a bit of the language. We only have such a short time here, but we already feel like we are creating a little family! Tomorrow, the National Mask Festival begins!
This morning we woke up, got ready (our shower isn’t working), and shuttled over to the resort to grab our morning boat tour around the area. We had breakfast and then went down to the water to meet our guide, Kiapen, and boat driver, Albas, for our "cruise". The boat was a little fisherman-like motorboat, and since we were the only ones who booked for today, we climbed in for our private tour!
The boat took us out onto the water, and we were introduced to Mount Tavurvur, with smoke bellowing from its open crater. Kiapen told us a lot of history about the area, the villages, and the peoples’ experiences with past volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. We passed by small fishing boats and waved at the fishermen, and also saw remains of shipwrecks and caves from when the Japanese invaded Papua New Guinea and were attacked by the Australians. The boats from that era still remain sunk here, so we could see wrecked and drowned ships all around, as well as some old, rusted cannons.
We found out so much interesting history about the area, which was really amazing to learn. For example, one of the now-dormant volcanoes used to be an island on its own, but it erupted some years ago and basically connected itself to the mainland with a 150-metre new piece of land! We also sailed over an area where there used to be an island but due to a massive earthquake, the island collapsed and sunk leaving behind two tall pillars (known as the “Beehives”). When we looked into the water, there it was, the island underneath our boat… I mean, who knew an island could collapse and sink? Just nuts.
Then we sailed by what was left of the town of Rabaul. Very few things survived the eruption, and Kiapen showed us where things used to be – it was a tragic site to see black ash where there used to be a thriving community.
We made our way along the black coast and reached natural hot springs that were so hot (because of the nearby volcanoes) that the water was actually boiling beneath us. We got off the boat and walked on the black ash sand there, being very careful to try to avoid the ever-moving boiling spots. It was really amazing to be walking in hot springs caused by volcanic activity! Then, a man came walking by out of nowhere selling Megapod eggs (more on that in a minute) and we bought one and he boiled it for us in the boiling volcanic waters!
After spending a while there, we went over to the base of the volcano, where the ash-sand was so soft, our feet just sunk into it when we stepped off the boat. We walked around there for a bit and then went over to our next stop: a place where Megapod birds lay their eggs and bury them in the volcanic ash (which is warm so it serves as an incubator). Knowing this, men come from nearby villages and dig out these eggs – their bodies entirely covered in ash – in order to sell them at the market in town.
Finally, we hopped back into the boat and went over to Pidgin Island, where we snorkeled the coral reef there right off the shore of the island. This was probably the biggest highlight of the cruise. The coral there was like nothing we had ever seen, better than the Caribbean. The millions of fish and water creatures in millions of colours blew our mind away. The Great Barrier Reef had nothing on this. This was what we had been wanting to see! It was so utterly amazing to see all of these colourful creatures just swimming around us, watching us as we watched them. We found lots of “Nemos” who were absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, our camera died soon into our snorkeling expedition, so we had to memorize the beauty of it (not that we would ever forget it)!
Our snorkeling time came to an end too soon, and our cruise time was over, so we had to go back to the hotel. We were so sad to be leaving the coral reef and vowed to try and come back before we left PNG. On our way back, a manatee (we think) came up and dove in the water right next to us in the middle of the ocean! So cool!
We had lunch at the resort and then asked our hotel to drop us off at the Warwagira festival – a traditional song and dance festival – happening close by. Sadly, we arrived just as they went on a several-hour break, so we went back to the hotel and passed some time before going back to the resort for dinner.
So far, we’ve made quite a few friends here, and it’s only been a day. The staff here are so nice and so friendly, and we have already been getting to know them and a bit of the language. We only have such a short time here, but we already feel like we are creating a little family! Tomorrow, the National Mask Festival begins!
Fisherman next to the active volcano
Volcanic hot springs (where we cooked our megapod egg!)
Black ash where the men dig up megapod eggs
We found Nemo!
I just caught up and read all of your posts! I am so happy that you guys are doing this and seeing all the beauty everywhere! Love you guys and can't wait to read more!!!
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