Around PNG in 97 days
AN Australian kayaker has completed a 2,300km sea journey around Papua New Guinea and has been welcomed back to Port Moresby by Australian High Commissioner Chris Moraitis.
Andrew Hughes, from Tasmania, Australia, spent three months travelling the coastline of PNG on an adventure aimed at educating school children on the effects of climate change.
This was an adventure never before attempted around PNG.
Using a GPS tracking device, Mr Hughes was able to feed a direct signal via satellite pinpointing his exact location.
His account of this adventure will be used in schools in Australia to help school children learn about climate change, as well as the country.
The adventurer visited the Australian High Commission after completing his journey in Vanimo on Aug 6.
He thanked the High Commissioner and the many Papua New Guineans, including the Abel family in Milne Bay province, who assisted with medical care when he developed a knee infection 16 days into his 97-day journey.
Mr Hughes launched off on the Fly River on May 1, in a sea kayak.
He paddled past Port Moresby and around the coast of Milne Bay, where he encountered some of the wettest weather and most dangerous seas.
In Morobe province, he stopped at a village where he met an elderly man to share stories.
The old man claimed that Mr Hughes’ sea kayak was the second to have landed on their shores.
The first was a Japanese sea kayak during World War II.
“Andrew is the true embodiment of the Australian spirit of adventure.
“His efforts to build friendship between Australia and Papua New Guinea are inspirational,” Mr Moraitis said.
For more information on Mr Hughes adventures, including his PNG expedition, visit his website: www.expeditionclass.com
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