Our first port in New Guinea was the small town of Wewak where we went ashore by tender. There is not a lot to see but we had a great welcome. Drummers were pier side and there were dancers in the nearby street. It was a loud and colourful welcome to this town that still has a frontier feel to it.
The welcome drummers
Colourful dancers in traditional clothing.
Some of the wonderful costumes
Warriors looking ready for battle
Women in traditional attire
We walked down to the markets but at this stage had been unable to change our money into New Guinea kina so we retraced our steps through a throng of people. This is the beginning of Independence Day celebrations with dancers and drummers in town and a holiday from school. Eventually we changed our money at the bank after a long wait.
Before returning to the market, we took the opportunity to catch the free shuttle to the main hotel on the headland. We admired the spectacular views and to tried some of the local beer.
Rob with his drinking mates. One was a lecturer in theology.
Back in town, we returned to the market to do some shopping and to watch more of the elaborately attired dancers.
Water transport.
The markets.
Tobacco on sale in the market.
Rob and the dancers.
More dancers.
Duelling drummers.
2 comments:
Matt commented on the new market in Wewak since he was last there and wants to know if it's a BP (Burns Philp not British Petroleum). I hated to point out how many years ago that was but I'm sure he could still draw you a map!
The kids thought those markets looked very interesting
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