Sights in The Sepik
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Haus Tambarans
There are numerous villages around Maprik, many with a striking, forward-leaning haus tambaran, an architectural style echoed in such modern buildings as Parliament House in Port Moresby. The front façade of the Maprik haus tambarans are brightly painted in browns, ochres, whites and blacks and in some cases reach 30m high.
Without your own vehicle getting to the various villages can be problematic. Speak to the owner of the Maprik Wakin Hotel to arrange an impromptu tour. Traditionally haus tambarans were exclusively an initiated-man's domain, but these days the rules are usually bent for Western travellers. Locals usually charge to enter and a photography fee. There is…
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headland
There's a pleasant two-hour walk around the headland, but carry water and sun protection. People in the villages here don't get a lot of tourists or even a lot of local passers-by so be respectful as you enter an area and seek approval before moving on. There's good snorkelling offshore and the beaches are sensational, but ask before stripping down and plunging in.
Another good walk is west along the beach from the airport. After 40 minutes you come to a limestone headland draped with vines - wade around it to the beautiful beach on the other side. There's a rusting Japanese landing barge just offshore.
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Mission Point to Cape Boram
Near the main wharf lie the rusting remains of MV Busama. Further down at Kreer, on the road to the airport, there's the wooden hulk of a Taiwanese fishing junk. On the beach between Kreer Market and the hospital are some rapidly disappearing rusting Japanese landing barges. The Japanese War Memorial marks the mass grave of many troops. The soldier's bodies were later exhumed and returned to Japan.
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Japanese Memorial Peace Park
This park contains a memorial and a fish pond. Tok Pisin doesn't have a word for peace; 'Peace' sounds like pis, which means fish. Thus, most locals refer to the park as pis park, which is perhaps appropriate given the fish pond and the general ambivalence that many modern Papua New Guineans have towards WWII. Ironically, the peace park is enclosed by a wire fence.
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Vanimo Forest Products
The Malaysian logging company Vanimo Forest Products is logging the province and there are business opportunities with cross-border trade. Hopes are high for development even though the Indonesian and Malaysian business people seem to have a disdain for the local service workers that is quite palpable and uncomfortable.
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Narimo Island
Narimo Island can be seen offshore from the Vanimo Beach Hotel. This is an excellent place for picnics and swimming. The hotel may be able to arrange a boat to take you there or else ask about boat hire at West Deco village near the main wharf on the other side of the peninsula.
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source of the Sepik
The local MAF pilots and pastors give excellent advice on local walks including a three hour trek to the source of the Sepik. Between 1912 and 1914, Richard Thurnwald walked some hard yards following the Sepik to this stream not far from Telefomin.
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Songitin eternal flame
Children can guide you to Songitin eternal flame. Bring your matches to light the natural gas that seeps from the ground as the rain will have put it out.
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