|
By SENIORL ANZU
THE Erap River side at Kumulik village is a place near Lae
one could consider visiting for leisure.
This is a new set-up for tourists and visitors to Morobe and
Lae residents who want a break from busy Lae City.
The Erap Cultural Group warmly welcomes visitors to the area
which offers facilities for relaxation; family outing;
resting; entertainment; tracking; barbeque, picnics and
functions.
Activities you can do include tube riding down the rapids of
the Erap River, hiking or mountain bike riding, enjoy the
view of Markham valley on the mountain lookout, try out
horse riding, visit the waterfalls and watch the traditional
methods of making fire and preparing food.
The set-up is located on the bank of the fast flowing Erap
River.
I visited the place on New Year day to attend a day-long
feast of pig slaughtering with Highlands mumu and barbeque,
courtesy of Momahi Tours of Morobe and the rural community.
We arrived at Kumulik village to see men, women and children
busy preparing the feast.
Almost the entire community was there preparing the kaukaus,
bananas, kumus, pork, sausages, lamp flaps and watermelons.
Operator of Momahi Tours Mrs Queena Ambang said the
community was working with
the company to develop the site into a major tourist and
holiday destination in Morobe.
Kumulik at Erap River is no longer a hidden place. The place
is mentioned in tourism circles in Morobe and individuals,
corporate bodies and schools have used the place for
barbeques and picnics.
Tourists have trekked the Erap River, visited the villages
and food gardens and enjoyed the traditional dances (singsing)
and dramas performed by the villagers.
Momahi Tours has been facilitating the tours and visits,
including tour escorts and guides. They provides transport
for pick up and drop of from within Lae City for outings at
the Erap River.
“We are planning to develop this place further and invite
more tourists and visitors. This includes improving the
landscape, building guesthouses and other necessary
infrastructure,” Mr Nathanel said.
He said once the improvements are made, tourists and guests
can come and experience the typical village lifestyle of
Morobe.
“Security is not an issue here. We voluntarily provide
security and guides and make everyone who calls in get value
for their money.”
Villager Timon Nathanel said since the place was established
in 2006, they have not received any complaints from the any
visitors.
He said guides have taken tourists to various sites around
the community before treating them to traditional
performances, meals and displays.
The facility has two big barbeque stalls with pans and
firewood provided. He said the barbeque places are offered
on hire for K50 per day. The community also charges K3 per
visitor.
“Many tourists have enjoyed trekking on hard rocks along the
Erap River. And when the tide is low, we cross to the
waterfalls,” Mr Nathanel said.
Momahi Tours is a nationally owned tour operator, located
12-miles away from Lae City along Markham Road.
More information on tours and accommodation can be obtained
from Mrs Ambang on telephone/facsimile 475 1366 or email:
tropicalniuginiwoods@global.net.pg
For Lae City tours, the escorts pick up clients from hotels
and guesthouses in town for tours within the city. The tours
cover various sites such as the Botanical Gardens and the
Entomology Section of the Forest Research Institute and the
Lae War Cemetery.
Tourists are also be taken to the famous Rainforest Habitat
at the PNG University of Technology. The package includes a
one-hour lunch stopover at Momahi Guest House amidst
evergreen tropical gardens of orchids, vanilla and exotic
fruits.
|
|
