Oil Search Pacific Games Relay on the North Coast, East New Britain Province
First stop at the Toma-Vunadidir Telikom repeater station where the two communities, including the disabled, were out in force to celebrate the Relay.
The crowds were let into the facility where they were entertained by sing sing groups doing the Whip Dance, choirs and traditional drum bands.
The Gere singing group worked up a frenzy with their bamboo poles and the Baton before Telikom worker Alan carried the Baton to the top of the tallest communications tower, much to the delight of all the school children present.
Sir Paulius Matane spoke of the importance of retaining traditions and how the Relay journey across the country is helping make this happen.
The Relay drove to Kerevat past lines of school children and community groups to join all the schools of Kerevat plus many of the inmates from Kerevat Correctional Facility for a Baton line up at the town oval.
The Relay was then met at the border of Rabaul District by their famous dukduk men and from there the Baton travelled down the North Coast and went through village after village lined along the road, stopping off at war relic sites and at Submarine base.
The Relay took a breather up at Namanula Hill, the site of first colonisation before heading down into Rabaul town.
Unable to visit the Rapindik volcano site due to internal conflicts, the Rabaul Town Mayor then took the Baton along the main streets of Rabaul so that the community could all get a touch of the Baton.
A final stop along the Burma Road to the final resting place of Peter Torot and a visit to the Basilica named for him.
The Oil Search Pacific Games Relay will be run through Kokopo early this morning before heading off to the Autonomous Republic of Bougainville today.
Photo credit: madNess Photography
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