If the number of languages spoken in a region is indicative of the richness of the diversity of the sub-cultures within that region, then Papua New Guinea is rich beyond all measure. With over 840 indigenous languages still spoken on this half of the Island it boasts the most densely packed linguistic region in the world. This museum showcased artifacts from all over the country. Some were very old, some were new and some were of an unknown age. There was also a section about WW2 and the sacrifices that many countries made including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia. USA and more. It turned out to be fantastic museum and a window into many subcultures in PNG. The AC was broken so by the time the museum was closing for the day we were hot and sweaty. We sat outside, in the breeze with Franklin. Jun and Kelly. No one wanted it to be over so Kelly suggested that we take another slow drive through town. We went through the downtown area and then over to Stiltsville. Here we saw an entire town built up over the water. On our way back, two motorcycle cops pulled us over. Kelly had his phone in his hand at a red light and drivers are not allowed to touch their phones at any point while in the car. So they took Kelly's drivers license and followed us back to the lodge. Once we got dropped off the police were able to get the bribe of 100 kina, about $25. This type of corruption was clearly frustrating to both Kelly and Jackson.
A huge mural
This is the but end of a 50 foot long boat
Long but narrow
Decorated nicely
Crocodiles, birds and snakes
With a crocodile on the front
Patched in places
Another boat inside
Very detailed decorations
A cute little marsupial
An egg laying mammal, the echidna
Crab claw sails
A bridal wreath
More bridal accessories
The octopus
The prostitute
More models of ships
Cassowary head dress
A feisty looking beasty
Nice wooden sunshades
A nightmare of a creature
This head reminds me of the Rapa Nui Moai
A fancy staff
One big earing
The end of ceremonial canoe
Only 12 feet long
Wood, fiber and scariness
So many masks
Oversized
Shaggy
Drums
Many musical instruments
Tall totems
Very tall indeed
A drum in the foreground and paddles in the background
All different sizes of paddles and sections of boats
Love the head gear
Shields
So many designs
From all over PNG
Red ochre
Another great mural
The tall totems from up on the second floor
Look at this totem
Another scary looking face
Birds on her back?
A very primitive figure 5 feet tall
Day of the Dead
Anatomically correct Mr. Bones
Arms or ears?
Big and buff
So detailed
Batman had a bat behind his head
Fantastic wood carving skills
The elephant man
A few more shields
A modern painting
Bridal collar
A great hat
So many feathers
This is big enough to wear and dance inside
Another man sized costume
A mix between a fishing lure and a dog
Imagine a troupe of dancers in these costumes
A cassowary
Little piggie
The finest piece
Four heads finely carved
Croc!
Each roof had a metal creature on top
Driving to the water
Follow the boats
Stiltsville
More and more stilt houses are going up
Very close to the downtown
Time for a swim
Downtown Port Moresby
More traffic circle art
Birds!
It has been 3 years and 40 days since we began our Migration
