Kitava Island

Is like a little jewel in the ocean. We lined up early to get our tender boarding passes and we were in the first boatload ashore. The trick in these places is to get ashore early, explore, then get back on the ship before it gets too hot. The locals put on a traditional welcome, a lei of frangipani flowers and a welcoming dance from the local kids. Fantastic! Everyone is so welcoming and happy to see us. We went for a short walk through the outskirts of the village and a local (not a Tour Guide) directed us toward the lookout. Lorraine started talking to her (Rosalind, as we shortly discovered) and we ended up with an unofficial guide to the grave of the founder of the island’s coconut plantations and a spectacular lookout. Rosalind’s English was perfect, she’d been to school locally and was chosen to go to the mainland and went through to Grade 10. Married now, with three children, she and her family live on what they grow, what they catch (fish), and if they have any money, what little they can buy from the “store” (very basic staples; rice, flour etc.). Lovely to talk with and a fount of knowledge about her island, it’s people and history. Kitava is a lovely, clean, and friendly place to visit.

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2 Responses to Kitava Island

  1. Marcus Driessen's avatar Marcus Driessen says:

    Wow, it looks beautiful. It is great chatting with the locals. Amazing what you can discover. It was always hot in PNG when I went there any time of the year. Enjoy!

  2. Vicki's avatar Vicki says:

    Love the pictures. Looks like you are all having fun. I have missed hearing about your holiday over the last few days……hope all is well. XXX

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