Oil Search Pacific Games Relay in Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province
The day began in fine conditions and the team was taken by Oil Search helicopter charter to Nipa where the President and District Administrator led a Relay around the station.
The Relay included the United Church Women’s group and a climb to the roof of the Nipa Rural Hospital construction site. The Nipa community are very proud of the new hospital and wanted to showcase it as part of the Relay.
The Nipa President spoke of how even a “backside ples” like Nipa gets to be a part of the Relay and sends its spirit to Team Papua New Guinea to win gold at the upcoming Pacific Games.
From there the Baton was taken on a flyover of the extraordinary Wasu Falls. The waterfall is spectacular as a massive volume of water passes over and through the cliff face before becoming the Kikori River.
The Relay then took in Lake Kutubu, a magnificently clear lake with small hamlets perched along ridge tops surrounding the lake and on islands of reeds in its centre.
Then a visit to the Foe-Digaso people at Pimaga Station and a Relay by the traditionally dressed villagers, with red painted pigment, up above the station, through pristine traditional houses and up to their cultural long house, which the baton was allowed to pass through.
The Relay was then supposed to fly across to Kagua, Wiru, Pangia and Ialibu but unfortunately bad weather grounded the helicopters and the Relay was unable to reach the people there.
“The team were very disappointed as they try their utmost to ensure people who have planned for their arrival are not disappointed but could do nothing about it as once the helicopters were grounded, the drive by vehicle would have been impossible in the time remaining,” said Relay team manager, Tamzin Wardley.
The Relay heads to Western Highlands Province tomorrow.
Image credit: madNESS photography
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