EM204 – NATIONAL MASK FESTIVAL TOUR – 13-26 JULY 2010 ESCORTED SMALL GROUP TOUR FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS 13 nights Rabaul (National Mask Festival and tours), Tabar Islands, Kavieng (Malagan Culture Show and tours) (escorted small group tour minimum 8 maximum 16 people) The National Mask Festival is an annual event mounted by the PNG National Cultural Commission and always hosted in Rabaul. The festival showcases Papua New Guinea’s mask culture and attracts displays and performers from all over the country, providing opportunities to see both common and rare masks. The three major genres of mask on display are the ancestor masks, spirit masks, and tumbuan masks. Ancestor masks are designed to resemble or represent humans and often have holes in the eyes as a distinguishing feature. Small masks can be worn on the head during dances or ceremonies while other are mounted in homes and men’s houses to represent ancestors. Spirit masks represent non-human beings and are often designed to be mounted on walls and gables to protect the occupants of a home. Tumbuans are also a type of spirit mask but are larger in size and designed to be worn over the head and shoulders, or the whole body, during performances of dances and mime that illustrate goings-on in the spirit world. There is no other occasion on PNG’s cultural calendar where such a wide range of masks can be seen in one place, along with the dances and dramas that they are associated with. There will also be many stalls and displays with local foods and handicrafts available for sale at the festival. Our local guides will accompany you around the festival grounds and explain local culture, artifacts and foods to you. The Malagan Culture Show at Kavieng is a smaller local festival, an opportunity to learn about the unique Malagan culture practised in New Ireland Province, embodied by the brilliant and distinctive art produced in the form of masks, totems and figurines. The cultural “home” of the Malagan tradition is the Tabar Islands offshore from Kavieng town. We’ll be paying a two night visit to the Tabar Islands to meet the master carvers and keepers of the Malagan culture, watch them at work and take a sneak peek at their preparations for the upcoming Malagan Culture Show. This tour is a must for lovers of cultural art. Click here to download a more detailed itinerary for EM204 with prices, list of tour inclusions and trip notes, click here (Adobe Acrobat PDF file opens in new window)
Old Rabaul town on Simpson Harbour with Tavurvur the "baby" volcano smoking in the background Tavurvur seen from Kokopo beach WW2 aircraft wreck, Rabaul Dukduk figure, Mask Festival	ITINERARY DAY 1: TUE 13 JULY 2010 PORT MORESBY / RABAUL Arrive Port Moresby and connect through to Rabaul. See www.airniugini.com.pg or www.apng.com for details of international flights arriving today from Brisbane, Cairns or Singapore (flights from Asian cities depart the day before and arrive early morning in Port Moresby). On arrival in Port Moresby Ecotourism Melanesia staff will greet you with a smile and a surprise gift ? and you will be transferred to check in for your connecting flight to Rabaul. To avoid possible flight disruptions you will be booked on the first available flight to Rabaul after the arrival of your international flight. If time allows between flights, our staff will take you on a short tour of Port Moresby. NB Your domestic air tickets are provided by Ecotourism Melanesia as part of the tour package and will be delivered to you on arrival or e-mailed in advance. At Rabaul airport you will be greeted by your tour escort who has gone ahead to finalise arrangements, and transfer via scenic 90 minute drive to old Rabaul town where you will check in at the Rabaul Hotel - formerly known as the Hamamas (Happy) Hotel before it was buried in volcanic ash in 1994. Why is the airport so far from Rabaul town? After the volcanic eruptions in 1994 Rabaul’s original airport on the Matupit peninsula – right at the foot of one of the erupting cones – was covered in lava and ash. A new airport was built at Tokua plantation, about 90 minutes drive along the coast from old Rabaul town, which was considered at the time to be a safe distance from future volcanic activity. Locals say the long trip from Rabaul to the new airport is an inconvenience, but the distance from the danger zone keeps the airport open most of the time. Although Mt Tavurvur at Rabaul has continued grumbling and spewing smoke, ash and the occasional shower of hot rocks for the past 15 years, prevailing winds tend to blow the ash clouds away from Tokua. Occasionally, abnormal wind patterns drive ash clouds to the south east towards Tokua and the airport is closed for a few days, because ash can damage jet engines if ingested. However this only occurs a few times a year. Mid-way between the new Tokua airport and old Rabaul town is Kokopo, the “new Rabaul” that sprang up after the 1994 volcanic eruptions. Kokopo is now the main commercial centre for the province because Rabaul continues to suffer light ash fall - inert and harmless but annoying and an impediment to business. However as a new town Kokopo lacks historical attractions, culture and soul, so old Rabaul town remains the major tourist centre. In the unlikely but possible event of closure of the airport at Tokua during the week of this tour, you will be flown to another regional airport (Kavieng, Namatanai, Hoskins or Pomio) and thence transfer by ferry to Rabaul. In the evening over dinner at the hotel, the tour group will coalesce for the first time after arriving on different flights during the day. Overnight Rabaul Hotel (twin share, room only) Pay-as-you-go for meals today. Lunch and snacks are available from various outlets in Port Moresby and at the upstairs café in the international airport terminal. Lunch and dinner are available at the hotel in Rabaul, pay by cash or credit card. The weather in Port Moresby and Rabaul will be warm tropical (maximum 30 degrees Celcius and humid) with slight possibility of rain.
Kinawai dukduks (tumbuans) Crocodile mask from Middle Sepik Snorkelling at Kabaira beach	DAY 2: WED 14 JULY RABAUL 04:00 This morning we rise early and we have an orange juice and fruit on board our tour bus as we transfer 45 minutes to Kokopo Beach to witness the “Kinawai” – the arrival of the “spirits” that will preside over the mask festival. At 05:30 as the sun rises, we will witness canoes carrying the dukduk and tumbuan “spirits” arrive on the shore. The figures dance on the beach and disappear into the trees. They will reappear at the festival later in the morning. 07:00 We transfer to the Kokopo Village Resort or other venue for breakfast (PAYG). 08:00 We transfer to the festival venue at Kokopo and settle into our seats for the first day of the National Mask Festival. The first day is usually a bit slow to get started due to opening speeches by officials and grandstanding by politicians, so you will need to be patient because if we skip the speeches and get there late we may not get good seats. Spirit masks and ancestor masks from all over Papua New Guinea will be featured at the festival: a combination of static displays and dance performances. There will also be many stalls and displays with local foods and handicrafts available for sale. Our local guides will be available to accompany you around the festival grounds and explain local culture and foods to you. 12:00 We depart from the festival grounds and drive back to the hotel in old Rabaul town for lunch (pay as you go - you may prefer to buy home-made local fare from the food stalls at the festival). All manner of fresh fruit is also available at the Rabaul market – the tour bus will be happy to stop here for you en route back to the hotel. 14:00 After lunch and a rest we depart the hotel for a trip to Kabaira Beach for swimming, snorkelling and beach-walking. 18:00 We arrive back at the hotel. 19:00 Dinner (PAYG - Pay As You Go) – the hotel offers a variety of Western and Asian cuisine. Overnight Rabaul Hotel (twin share, room only)
Malagan mask from New ireland Province - always attracts attention at the National Mask Festival Tavurvur the "baby" volcano Old WW2 Japanese barge tunnel, Rabaul Baining fire dance	DAY 3: THU 15 JULY RABAUL 07:00 Breakfast 07:30 We transfer to Kokopo for the second day of the National Mask Festival. 12:00 Return to the hotel for lunch and rest. 14:00 In the afternoon we take a half day tour of Rabaul district. Rabaul and district is perhaps the most interesting sightseeing destination in PNG. There is a nice mix of natural, historical and cultural attractions. First up will be a visit to the old Rabaul airport on Matupit peninsula just a few hundred metres across the water from Tavurvur, the still-active baby volcano which will surely impress us by blowing smoke and spitting stones (hopefully not too close in our direction!) Near this location is Admiral Yamamoto’s bunker. Yamamoto was commander of naval forces in the Rabaul and Solomon Islands theatres in 1942-1944 until he was killed in an air crash in south Bougainville. The bunker in Rabaul was his operations headquarters, constructed underground with protective concrete ramparts at ground level to protect from allied bombing. The bunker survived the war but was completely buried in ash in 1994. It has since been partly excavated. On a ridge above the township, the volcano observatory has commanding views of Simpson Harbour which is a volcanic caldera. Various vents around the perimeter of the harbour can all be observed from this vantage point. There is Mt Tavurvur (known as the “baby” – still active), Mt Kombiu (the dormant “mother”) and Vulcan, a minor vent which blew spectacularly in 1994 but is now quiet. Just out of town is theJapanese submarine base, a sheltered cove where subs were based and serviced during WW2. There are no sub wrecks to be seen, only the remains of the concrete pens. Progressing south-east down the coast, stops are made at the Japanese barge tunnels and the Japanese cemetery. The barges based at Rabaul were used for unloading supply ships and transferring troops. To protect the barges from bombing, tunnels were dug into the cliffs and the barges were winched up into the tunnels and ‘garaged’ there when not in us. Your tour guide will also show you gun emplacements, observation posts and the site of Japanese army barracks. 18:00 Return to the hotel 19:00 Dinner (PAYG) 20:00 Transfer to a local village to witness the Baining Fire Dance (included) 22:00 – return to the hotel and retire. NB The Baining Fire Dance performance is not yet confirmed for this evening and our program may have to be modified if it is scheduled on another evening. Overnight Rabaul Hotel (twin share, room only)
Bitapaka War Cemetery, Kokopo	DAY 4: FRI 16 JULY RABAUL 07:00 Breakfast 07:30 We transfer to Kokopo for the third day of the National Mask Festival. 12:00 We transfer to the Ralum Country Club in Kokopo for lunch (PAYG). 14:00 In the afternoon we take a half day tour of the Kokopo district including the Kokopo Museum, the Bitapaka War Cemetery and the ruins of “Queen Emma’s” homestead, returning to Rabaul via the back road to Vunapope, the provincial government seat. 18:00 Arrive back at the hotel 19:00 Dinner (PAYG) Overnight Rabaul Hotel (twin share, room only)
House beach at Malagan Beach Resort, Kavieng	DAY 5: SAT 17 JULY RABAUL / KAVIENG 07:00 After breakfast, we check out of the hotel. Your luggage will travel with us in a separate luggage vehicle as we tour. Today we skip the last day of the mask festival (which will be largely a reprisal of the last three days) and take an inland tour to Warangoi to visit a rainforest area and the Warangoi River hydro-electric complex, ending up at Rapopo Plantation Resort for lunch (PAYG) and a walk on the beach before heading to the airport to check in for our late afternoon flight to Kavieng. On arrival in Kavieng we transfer to the Malagan Beach Resort in time for a sundowner on the beachfront patio. Overnight Malagan Beach Resort, Kavieng (twin share, room only)
Gis mask dancers emerge from the sea, Tabar Islands Tabar Islands dancers with masks	DAY 6: SUN 18 JULY KAVIENG / TABAR ISLANDS 06:00 Early breakfast so that we can make our sea crossing to Tabar Islands during the calm of the morning. Our aim is to visit the Malagan carvers in the Tabar Islands early in the week before they travel to Kavieng for the Malagan Culture Show. 07:00 We check out of the Resort – bulky luggage can be cloaked and collected upon return from the islands. We board a fast vessel right on the beach in front of the resort and make a 2-hour crossing to Tatau, the largest of the Tabar Islands, and check in at the Andi Guest House. For the rest of today we are in the hands of our hosts who will show us around the village, introduce us to the master carvers and show us some of the features of the Malagan culture. In the evening, a full-scale Malagan sing-sing is performed with all bells and whistles. Overnight Andi Guest House, Tatau Island (includes meals).
Master carver displaying his Malagan totem	DAY 7: MON 19 JULY TABAR ISLANDS Full day cultural activities includes spending time with the master carvers to learn the secrets of the Malagan culture. We explore the villages on the island, talk to the people about their lifestyle, watch artisans make masks and other artifacts. Overnight Andi Guest House, Tatau Island (includes meals).
Beach near Konos	DAY 8: TUE 20 JULY TABAR ISLANDS / KONOS Today we farewell our hosts at Tatau Island and travel by fast vessel to Konos on the New Ireland “mainland”. En route we will follow the coast on Tabar Island (after which the Tabar Islands Group is named), stopping at one or two villages to meet the locals. By lunchtime we arrive at Konos, check in at the Konos Guest House and spend the afternoon enjoying the beach and rainforest around Konos. Overnight Konos Guest House, New Ireland (includes meals)
Old Chinese shop in Kavieng	DAY 9: WED 21 JULY KONOS / KAVIENG From Konos we travel by road to Kavieng aboard a private tour bus, a journey of about two hours. This section of the Buluminski Highway is very scenic and stops will be made en route for photography and to purchase fruit from roadside markets. [If ever you return to New Ireland, make sure to take a bicycle trip from Kavieng to Namatanai – most enjoyable as the road is flat and straight nearly all the way and there are many village guest houses en route to overnight in.} The rest of today is at-leisure in Kavieng. Relax at the resort, poke around the Chinese shops, sign in as a visitor at the Kavieng Club for a few hours and have lunch there. Overnight Malagan Beach Resort, Kavieng (twin share, room only)
Women's dance, Malagan Culture Show Spirit dance, Malagan Show	DAY 10: THU 22 JULY KAVIENG 07:00 Breakfast 08:00 Walk 20 minutes to the Show venue in Kavieng town for the first day of the Malagan Culture Show. 12:00 Lunch at the Kavieng Club or the resort (PAYG) 13:00 Afternoon tour, choice of: 1) boat tour of Kavieng Harbour – includes cruising past shipwrecks, island resorts and villages, and stopping at an uninhabited islets for swimming and snorkelling 2) dedicated dive and snorkelling trip with local dive operator, for those with their diver’s certificate (and current diver’s insurance), and serious snorkellers. This option will be subject to minimum numbers – please advise on booking this tour if you are a diver. This option involves an additional cost of PGK250 per half day trip (1 dive) or PGK100 for snorkelling only – includes boat hire and all gear. This fee will be collected on the day. 3) relax at the Malagan Beach Resort Overnight Malagan Beach Resort, Kavieng (twin share, room only)
Kipong mask dance, Malagan Show, Kavieng	DAY 11: FRI 23 JULY KAVIENG 07:00 Breakfast 08:00 Transfer to Kavieng town for the second day of the Malagan Culture Show. 12:00 Lunch at the resort (PAYG) 13:00 Depart Kavieng by boat for Mansava Village Resort on Tsoi Island near New Hanover (two hours transfer time). 15:00 Arrive at Mansava, take a brief turn around the local village and settle into your accommodation. Overnight Mansava Village Resort, Tsoi Island (twin share, includes meals)
	DAY 12: SAT 24 JULY KAVIENG Full day at Tsoi Island. Today we have a full day of cultural and recreational activities on this tiny island. The villagers (whose tribe is part of the New Hanover culture) will perform a cultural program. Other activities will include: rainforest walk, beach walk, snorkellng on the exquisite reef. Overnight Mansava Village Resort, Tsoi Island (twin share, includes meals)
Pristine desert isle in Kavieng Harbour	DAY 13: SUN 25 JULY KAVIENG / PORT MORESBY 06:00 We depart Tsoi Island by boat for Kavieng. 08:00 Late breakfast, shower and change at Malagan Beach Resort. 10:00 Transfer to Kavieng airport to check in for our midday flight to Port Moresby via Rabaul, arriving mid afternoon. Overnight Gateway Hotel, Port Moresby (twin share, room only)
Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby Stilt villages, Port Moresby	DAY 14: MON 26 JULY PORT MORESBY / FLY OUT This morning we will take a half day tour of Port Moresby before you fly out in the afternoon. The tour will include city sights, the national museum and parliament, botanical gardens and Bomana War Cemetery. Lunch will be at a local restaurant or cafeteria (PAYG). After lunch, our staff will assist you to check in for your flight to Australia or Singapore. Tour ends. Click here to download a more detailed itinerary for EM204 with prices, list of tour inclusions and trip notes, click here (Adobe Acrobat PDF file opens in new window)