FRIDAY - PENEMU AND GAM

I don't think that I have previously mentioned that the weather has been perfect for our activities. No rain and often a pleasant cooling breeze. The ship is air conditioned but often too cool and it can be quite pleasant stepping into the heat on the external decks.

Today we went snorkelling yet again, this time at Palau Penemu situated in the Fam group north west of Batanta Island, after climbing 320 steps to a lookout overlooking the stunning lagoon in which we snorkelled. The area within which the lagoon is located is privately owned and one has to pay a fee to the owner to be able to enter. That means that there is very little fishing in the lagoon and the fish stocks were very healthy.

This afternoon, we visited Yenwapnour Village at Gam Island. The village is located on a strip of sandy flat land between the water and the hills behind.The villagers are Papuans, as distinct from Indonesian, although their language is Indonesian. They put on a concert, fed us with coconut juice and freshly caught fish, and gave us a tour of their village – very basic, occasional electricity, no refrigeration. They catch or pick what they need to eat every day. The area where they grow their food is an hour's boat ride away. There is no flat land near the village other than that occupied by the village itself.

Tomorrow, we get up before dawn to to try and find some birds of paradise, deep in the jungle behind the village.