Papua New Guinea is
the world's second largest island, a rich and raucous land blessed with a
blazing color-quilt of cultural enclaves and the most diverse bird life and
coral reef fauna on the planet.
On this
adventurous sea kayaking expedition, we'll begin with a paddle along the
vertical landscape of the Tufi Peninsula, a deeply eroded volcano with a
honeycombed coastline of narrow fjords that support incredible corals and
tropical fish - a snorkelers' paradise! We will encounter friendly people whose
way of life is relatively unspoiled (they seldom see other visitors besides
us). We'll visit their homes and maybe linger a while to listen to their lovely
singing in church.
Next, we kayak among
the legendary Trobriand Islands, home of yam cults and the last intrepid
voyageurs of the Pacific, whose artistic flamboyance is expressed in their
dancing and artwork. Here the cycle of planting and harvesting remains
uninterrupted, and ancient rituals are preserved. The local people still depend
on fishing and basic gardening, and maintain their traditional way of life,
including their housing and trading customs. They still live in a matrilineal
society and are very eager to welcome us to sit in the shade of the yam house
with coconut drinks and big smiles. Throughout the trip we'll become fast
friends with the local people, whose genuine friendliness and hospitality are a
key element of the adventure (you'll fell like part of an extended family!).
The adventure is expeditionary in nature and low impact, with basic
accommodations and camping facilities, and requires a flexible and adventurous
spirit.
David Nitsch, the expedition
leader, designed this trip based on his previous journeys in the area. He is an
experienced sea kayaking guide with a passion for South Pacific and Arctic
waters, and has a particular interest in the region. "I've traveled all over
the South Pacific, and this is the authentic Wild West of the southern seas,"
he reports. "It has the lush jungles, unspoiled beaches, sparkling waterfalls,
and spectacular fish and corals that you imagine of the South Pacific, but is
combined with an intense cross-cultural experience that's the highlight of
everyone's trip."
Mountain Travel Sobek
is the only company to operate a sea kayaking journey in this part of Papua New
Guinea, and you can be assured of a unique experience unattainable by other
travelers to this part of the world.
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