Kitava Island Papua New Guinea

Here in Kitava, one of the world's most intact island culture resides on one of the world's most untouched islands.  It is located in  Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Province.  Kitava is a small island off the main Trobiand Island of Kiriwina. Here life remains as it was thousands of years ago with very little external influence.  The landing site is surrounded by stunning white sand beaches lined with natural shade trees.  It has a population of 3,000 people. Scientists claim that the diet on this island is one of the last places on Earth where dietary habits from the original inhabitants are virtually  unchanged. The diet consists of root vegatables, tropical fruit, fish, and coconuts. 

It was a hot, humid, and drizzly day. We had about a five minute tender ride to reach the island.  We really weren't expecting much but we were pleasantly surprised.  Hundreds of families had travelled from their small villages to greet us. They brought various items that they had made to sell. Some had travelled in their boats to give people rides to the other islands to snorkel. 

Because of all of the large trees  lining the beach, we were able to walk through the drizzle without getting wet.  However, our clothing was wet with sweat.  Our first thought was how were we going to adapt to the cold and snow when we returned home. Temperatures in PNG were hotter than any summer day in Florida or Texas.  We walked among the many people who were selling things that they made from wood or seashells.  There were lots of necklaces, bowls, baskets, and we even found some fabric. We had to buy some even though a sticker was left on it that it was made in China.  The people were very nice.  No one was pushing us to buy.  They would just smile and say hello.  You would even get a bigger smile in return for saying hello to them. They were a very kind and gentle people. 

School was beginning next week in the islands.  Primary education was offered to all. Many would have to walk more than an hour to attend school.  Children had to pass an entrance test to continue on in secondary education.  Often they would have to leave the island to attend a boarding school  to further their education.  Today some of the children were there to show us their traditional dances and to collect donations for their school. The children were so excited to perform, especially the little ones.

We have never seen so many happy, smiling faces.

A guide offered to take us to visit the school. We were told it was a fifteen minute walk which would sometimes be uphill.  To keep John from having a death march, Suzie offered to walk with me while Rose and John sat under a large tree and talked with the people around them.  As we set off to visit the school it began to rain harder.  The path was steep, filled with  small gravel and becoming slippery from the mud.  Luckily the guide offered his hand so I could keep my balance. The farther we went the steeper it got and the harder it was to proceed. After 20 minutes we saw people coming down the hill. They informed us that it was at least another 15 minutes of hill to walk!  Knowing we didn't want to miss the ship and stay on this island, we headed back to meet up with the others.  John just smiled when we saw him and told him we had never reached the school.  But, I could read his mind...." I told you so.  You should have never gone". We learned a valuable lesson.  People on Kitava have no concept of time!