PNG: Islands of Calm. P&O Pacific 13

TA KE I’M ME YO HO UR M S E

pacific ISSUE 13 2018

Comedy unhinged

Join joker Jimeoin as he stirs up mutiny on our Comedy cruises

razzle-dazzle ’em

COSTUME DESIGNER NIGEL SHAW PUTS HIS GENIUS CREATIONS ON OUR STAGE

wildlife rescues

IT’S ALL IN A DAY’S WORK FOR THE DOLPHIN CARE TEAM AT TANGALOOMA ISLAND RESORT

TRAVEL PAPUA NEW GUINEA

islands of calm,

culture and courage

The wild and wonderful islands of Papua New Guinea are calling adventurers, romancers and cruising families.

Doing it all: Roderick Eime

I

f you have never visited Papua New Guinea (PNG), you are in for a treat. With a little imagination you can picture yourself in your own travel documentary, with drums pounding and brightly painted warriors yelping and stomping against a backdrop of misty jungle-clad mountains and clear ocean waters.

Just like our onboard offerings, the region provides a little bit of something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for adventure, romance or some enriching family fun, you’re going to find it!

Pacific. Issue 13 2018 39

TRAVEL PAPUA NEW GUINEA

ALOTAU • Adventure: an all-day Remote Tawali Resort tour to visit Skull Cave, or snorkel off a coral-encrusted sheer wall.

• Romance: a cooking class at Masurina Lodge.

Photo Credit: Roderick Eime/travography.com

• Families: a 2-hour tour to the small Ahioma village of Dodobana.

Ç Alotau (Milne Bay Province) village men dressed as masalai or ‘bush spirits’. This ‘costume’ is used in local storytelling rituals.

SERENITY IN ALOTAU Rich in history and ancient culture, the serene port of Alotau is on the very eastern tip of the mainland and is the principal town of Milne Bay Province.

There are plenty of shore tours on offer to suit couples, families and solos but with careful timing you can arrive in November for the annual PNG National Kenu (canoe) & Kundu (drum) Festival.

Singing, dancing, feasting and fabulous cultural activities take place all around the town.

Adventure-seekers should join our popular all-day Remote Tawali Resort tour 40 Pacific. Issue 13 2018

Ç Drummers participate in the PNG National Kenu & Kundu Festival.

to visit the Skull Cave, where the souls of the locals’ ancestors are thought to reside.

But the highlight is the spectacular snorkelling site off the coral-encrusted sheer wall that plunges more than 100m into the depths.

Romance-seekers can enjoy some couple time and culinary togetherness with a traditional cooking class at Masurina Lodge, where the resort’s chef demonstrates authentic cooking in traditional clay pots.

You will get to make your own meal and still have time for a wander around the gardens, a swim or simply kicking back at the bar.

Families (or anyone, really) will enjoy the shorter (2-hour) tour to the small Ahioma village of Dodobana on the outskirts of Alotau. Learn hands-on cooking and weaving skills as well as traditional and modern ways of catching and smoking fish.

You might get some tips to take home.

MARINE BEAUTY IN THE CONFLICT ISLANDS A privately owned oasis of unusual natural beauty amid the coral kingdom of the Louisiade Archipelago, the Conflict Islands are located inside one of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems

WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE, ROMANCE OR SOME ENRICHING FAMILY FUN, YOU’RE GOING TO FIND IT! in the region, and the best activities all show off this very special location.

Adventure-seekers can have their own ‘castaway adventure’ in this tropical island wonderland by diving into the massive, gin-clear lagoon to see the rich biodiversity of coral and fish species first-hand and get a glimpse of our planet in all its raw and natural beauty.

Exploring the island on foot is sure to get your heart pumping, too.

Romance-seekers can enjoy an intimate island picnic with your special partner; venture out onto the lagoon in a glassbottom kayak or outrigger canoe; or just snorkel and gaze in wonder at the local marine life.

Families will enjoy the Turtle Interactive tour with our highly knowledgeable marine biologist, on which you will learn how these magnificent creatures are being hand-raised for release into the wild. Yes, you can feed them!

CONFLICT ISLANDS

Photo Credit: Roderick Eime/travography.com

• Adventure: dive into the gin-clear lagoon and see first-hand the rich biodiversity of coral and fish species, and explore the island on foot.

• Romance: an intimate island picnic, venture out onto the lagoon in a glass-bottom kayak or outrigger canoe, or snorkel and gaze in wonder at the local marine life.

• Families: take the whole family on the Turtle Interactive tour with our highly knowledgeable marine biologist.

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Did you know?

TRAVEL PAPUA NEW GUINEA

WE HAVE BEEN PLEASURE-CRUISING TO PNG SINCE THE 1930S!

SCALE THE ROCK

WALL

ASSAGE ENJOY A SPA M

IDE

SL TRY THE WATER

GET YOUR PULSE RACING WITH YOUR OWN TITANIC MOMENT AS YOU AND YOUR PARTNER HANG OUT OVER THE BOW. Photo Credit: Roderick Eime/travography.com

HISTORY IN RABAUL

Ç The wreckage of a Japanese bomber (Mitsubishi Ki-21 Sally) lies partly buried in volcanic ash near the now-abandoned Lakunai wartime airstrip at Rabaul.

RABAUL • Adventure: a 3.5-hour tour that visits the local volcano, Mount Tavurvur.

• Romance: visit the colourful street market or the Rabaul Hotel or yacht club (about 5km return).

• Families: tour fascinating war relics such as underground bunkers, aircraft and artillery.

42 Pacific. Issue 13 2018

History buffs will be in their element in Rabaul. All but destroyed by war and volcanoes over the past 100 years, what is left of the former provincial capital is located around the splendid Simpson Harbour, one of the most beautiful in PNG. Adventure-seekers should take the 3.5-hour adventure tour that visits the local volcano, Mount Tavurvur. It’s your chance to get close to a real live volcano. The sights, sounds and smell of an active volcano will create memories that will last forever.

For romance-seekers, a wander around the old town will tug at your heart as you imagine this idyllic town as a jewel of the Pacific. Pop by the colourful street market or visit the Rabaul Hotel or yacht club (about 5km return) for a romantic drink and a glimpse of life before the 1994 eruption.

For families, Rabaul’s wartime history offers the perfect opportunity for a bit of active education on your holiday. Rabaul was a major base during World War II, heavily fortified by the Japanese and raided continually by the Allied bombers. Tour fascinating relics that include aircraft,

artillery and the actual underground bunkers from which the Japanese waged their war on Australia.

ONBOARD FUN Remember that half the fun of cruising takes place onboard! And we have a great range of options to choose from, including the longest waterslides on an Australian cruise ship.

For adventure-seekers, there are plenty of thrilling activities at our P&O Edge Adventure Park. Scale the rock wall, race down a zip-line, walk the plank or hurtle skywards on the bungy-tramp.

For romance-seekers, after a relaxing couple’s massage in our onboard Spa, you can enjoy an exclusive Chef’s Table or specialty restaurant dinner for two before cocktails and dancing at any of the ship’s lively nightspots. Or you can get your pulse racing with your own Titanic moment as you and your partner hang out over the bow of the ship in a remake of that famous movie scene.

Families will never be short on fun, with deck games, waterslides and laser tag just some of the great activities onboard.