Oil Search Pacific Games Relay celebrates 50 days to go
Over the last seven weeks, the Oil Search Pacific Games Relay team has travelled more than 19,200 kilometres and the Baton has been experienced by more 300,000 people.
The iconic Baton, designed by Gickmai Kundun, has journeyed through some of the most beautiful and remote parts of the country, including Sandaun, East Sepik and Madang, as well as the Eastern Highlands, Simbu, Western, Manus and Enga provinces.
Papua New Guinea’s unique diversity has been exemplified in many various ways and each destination has highlighted the culture and distinctive qualities of the area.
At each stage of the Relay, thousands of people have crammed the streets to be a part of the action, with many not having prior knowledge of the Relay or even the Pacific Games due to the lack of telecommunications in the area.
Travelling by vehicle, foot, helicopter, horse, boat and even surf board, the Baton has experienced incredible sights and extraordinary moments, including trekking to the summit of Mt Wilhelm, journeying to Telifomin, Papua New Guinea’s highest town, travelling underground through many mines and through picturesque cocoa and coconut plantations.
The Baton hasn’t only stayed on dry land, it has also surfed translucent Pacific Ocean and travelled underwater to scuba dive with turtles and schools of barramundi.
Although facing a number of unexpected challenges, such as temperamental weather including tropical downpours and sweltering heat and fog, the Baton continues to surprise and delight locals and has been a hit amongst the wildlife, acting as a feeding ground for local birdlife and a chew toy for crocodiles.
Tura, the Pacific Games mascot, has been a crowd favourite with loud cheers proceeding his every appearance, with locals being particularly boisterous as Tura hands out ‘piksa buks’ (picture books) to the thousands of children that step out to touch the Baton and experience the Relay at their schools and local villages.
A new park in Madang has even been christened the Pacific Games Park in honour of the 2015 Pacific Games and the Oil Search Pacific Games Relay.
“The experience continues to thrill the entire Relay team as we see the joy and excitement on the faces of locals as the Baton arrives in to their province,” said Relay Manager Tamzin Wardley.
“After such a fantastic start we are looking forward to another thrilling 50 days as the 2015 Pacific Games approaches.”
Photo credit: MadNess Photography
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