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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE July 12, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| January 22, 2005 |
Rabaul, Papua New Guinea |
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| Mother and five month old child |
The last port of call on Peace Boat’s 47th Global Peace Voyage was on Papua New Guinea’s largest island, New Britain, in the town of Rabaul. Laden with volcanoes, mountains, fast flowing rivers and an abundance of tropical plantations and rainforests, the area is an oasis of hidden treasures and natural beauty. This, however, has had its disadvantages, as one of the most beautiful cities? in the country, Rabaul, was covered in ash with the eruption of the local craters Tavurvur and Vulcan in 1994. It has been described as looking like an apocalypse-like wasteland covered in deep black volcanic ash, however it is not this that Peace Boat participants will remember. It is the beautiful, wide-eyed, smiling faces of the men, women and children of Papua New Guinea that left an imprint in their hearts. |
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| Village children curiously stare |
Over 50 Peace Boat participants journeyed into the mountains to the small village of Gaulim, where they were greeted by a group of approximately 150 local people of the Baining and Tolai tribes. Along this scenic road, local people waved and smiled and bid us well as we made our way through this paradise-like environment. In the grounds of the United Church and the local primary school, our hosts awaited our arrival with delicious home-made food and large smiles. |
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| Traditional female dance |
Peace Boat representatives were greeted with two traditional songs and we responded in the same way. “Isn’t it just great how we all greet each other in song as opposed to bowing?” stated one of the participants. At first many of the women and children were too shy and reluctant to approach their visitors, but they slowly began to feel comfortable and curious enough to engage in activity. |
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| Peace Boat participants draws a portrait |
Some of the Peace Boat participants began to draw their portraits, others made origami, while a large group played football and took part in a tug of war contest. After a short tour round the local village an exchange of cultural songs and dances took place and some time was spent simply talking and enjoying each others’ company. The kind-hearted welcome and the beauty of a child’s smile were the most deeply-moving memories for many of those who spent their day bridging the gap between Japan and Papua New Guinea. |
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| Evening dance performance (Photo by Mizimoto Shunya) |
Papua New Guinea was occupied by the Japanese Military during World War II and the remains of their arms and weaponry were left scattered around the country. Many local people suffered both directly and indirectly from the Japanese invasion, however in coming to Papua New Guinea, Peace Boat are able to demonstrate the importance of reconnecting on a personal level. People to people contact is able to breakdown historical wrongs and generate empathy, understanding and compassion. Upon their return to the ship, a local performance group gave an outstanding show, displayng the richness and vibrancy of their cultural and ritual treasures. |
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