November 14, 2025
Fun fact - Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the World! It is estimated that there are at least 826 Papuan languages. Some are spoken by just a handful of people, while others by 100,000. (Thanks - Basia & Wikipedia for sharing this information).
I joined a group of 23 other residents in exploring the Island. It's rained most of the day, but the tour went on! The main road bridge from the port is being replaced, so we had to detour and luckily we didn't get stuck, like others before us ( see below). Farming & fishing are the primary occupations on the island. Poverty is severe and many of the homes lack running water, plumbing and electricity. The people, especially the children were very warm, welcoming and chatty. Alotau averages one Ship a month, however this month 3 are scheduled. We started with a 45 minute ride to meet our guides grandparents at their village where her 89 year old grandfather is the elder in charge. We didn't get to see him there, but we did meet her 85 year old grandmother and a few cousins.
Next we drove a little more, to meet our dinghy boats, to take us across the Milne Bay to Boia Boia Waga Island to snorkel and have a picnic lunch on the beach. We were greeted by local children and each given a hand made lei.The reef was shallow and had lots of varieties of fish and coral I have not seen prior.
The Cultural village had lots of great energy and entertainment despite the pouring rain. They danced and chatted and shared local fruits and vegetables with us and had some artistic wood crafts for sale. Again the little kids were so friendly and curious about us "white people".
