WHAT HALF AN HOUR MEANS IN PNG....

Let me share with you this interesting experience. I was with two lady friends (No'Ain and Rod), in one of our missions in the Papua New Guinea (PNG), way back in 2007. After exhaustive field visit for about three days in this Dark Part of the World, we were suppose to fly back to Port Moresby (POM), but due to some flight problem we had to stay back for another day in Wewak, a small town about one and half hours flight from POM.

(2) Since we can’t get the flight, in this Dark World, and with ladies, I just need a plan to keep us occupied. Browsing through a map, there is this mountain town calls Maprik, located right in the heart of the Sepik Region. I was told there are lots of nice handy craft up there.

(3) In PNG, and dealing with mountain people…hmmm I heard that they are fierce and not that friendly. But, I told the ladies, if we gonna die, even in the nice comfortable home bedroom we will die. Most important, we must learn to be brave and face what ever ahead with clear mind. Our intent is to see the truth of this Dark World.

(4) After filling our full tank gas, we asked for the route and distance to Maprik, everyone at the Petro Station seem to be not certain, but consensus seem to agree that the journey would take only about half an hour. Sound great.

(5) We set our journey without any local guide or security person, which to most is a taboo in the PNG. But we dare to try.

(6) We drove on a small, winding road along the mountain ridge. The journey is just like a mini safari. Sealed, gravel, mud, and some time we need to cross the streams. Down the valley are those beautiful fresh green tropical vergin forest with all sorts of beautiful birds fling across us..(will be posted in MyFlickr soon). We made many stops, greeting those people on every of our stop over along our way. At these stop over, I would spent few Kinas (PNG currency) on all sort of local food fruits and coconut drink….a way to make friend (ice breaking) in case we would run into some trouble.

(7) At every stop, we asked…how much longer to Maprik….it seem their hours is nothing more or less then half an hour despite we have been traveling for more then that….

(8) Along the way, sometimes we passed small traditional villages. We need to drive slowly, not to crash on anything that are owned by the people here, chicken, pig, dog…all sort. Few times, we drove passed drunken guys, shouting and waving their parang or sticks….. that make my ladies went into silent…but my military instinct gave me the courage to proceed passed them smoothly…just by waved back to them, ...shown a thumb up…a good will sign….even some times have to shout…hey friends what up…(the Broadway!)

(9) At last we reached Maprik after an almost four hours drive…mmm eight times half an hour I guess…surely upon reaching the place…badly need a rest room. Surely for my two ladies….

(10) Driving around the town…....we can’t see any public toilet. We turned back to a nearby school and asked some kids there if we can use their washroom….and to our surprised the answer is dam simple and innocent…..Sir, we never have toilet…!!!

(11) I drove back to town, and was very-very relief to see a Police Station…and quickly make a check for the rest room. The police station was fenced up with barb wire…and few guys were hanging around in the Station compound. They don’t look like police to me. I asked for the policeman, and was replied…they were not around till late noon. Then, I asked is there any washroom that we can used…the guys replied sure…but they don’t have the key to the main office where the toilets are….

(12) Sure enough…I asked them, who are you guys….god, I was shocked hearing their reply….we are prisoners…but my immediate nature need can’t be bother about such a replied…and…yeeehh one of them…yes sir you can used this toilet…and he opened it for me…but as was doing ‘my business’, my mind began to wonder…this guy can open a prison gate…and they are prisoners…would I not in trouble if they locked me up in this….uhhhh…real toilet (I can’t called it wash or rest room)….pity my ladies, I have to advice them to search elsewhere….and you guess where…..behind a big tree by a river….

(13) Maprik, PNG: the many half(s) hour, the prisoners, the toilet….make me fall in love with you…nice people, no problem...soon I'll be back to be one of you.