Loloata Island Dreams

“HELLO…and…Good Bye…O…Loloata…” The short but sweet lyrics were being repeated several times as we sat over a few cold brown ones as night covered this majestic island resort.

Hengebe (Hengs) Anguali, our finance officer at the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority had fallen in love with Loloata Island – its tranquility and hospitality.

At the extended porch of this seafront sanctuary, it was a perfect time to reflect on a long day.

Actually, it wasn’t a bad time at all, to sit back, relax and reminiscent, having just had a hearty meal of the best steaks and sausages served hot, straight from the barbeque.

Loloata jetty as seen from the top of the hill

Earlier, at 3pm that afternoon, we had climbed the steep rise to the top of the ridge and enjoyed the excellent views of the nearby Lion and Motupore Islands and Tubusereia Village, while walking the length of the island and back from the top of the ridge.

The TPA group also included Jerry Agus (marketing officer), Daphne Ibia (marketing), Rose Kanekane (policy & research), Helen Pokapin (special projects), Gabriel Pakio (policy & research manager) and Diane Hayai (marketing).

The team - TPA members who went to Loloata recently

Our day at the TPA senior management workshop conducted by Austraining in conjunction with Adelaide TAFE and Divine Word University under the PNG-Australia Targeted Training Facility (PATTAF) had started at about 10am and ended just before 8pm on Saturday May 15, 2004.

While Hengs continued with his new composition, the ladies borrowed some fishing line and hook from the resort and decided to try their hand at night fishing on the jetty.

Rose from the Western Highlands gave her more fancied coastal colleagues some handy tips on fishing as she pulled in the most catch (the ladies caught only four fish that night), at one stage almost knocking over the empty gas cylinders placed in the middle of the jetty.

We had Sunday to go and workshop facilitators John Fotheringham, Grace Guaigu, Andrew Inglis and Julie Gardner still had lots more ground to cover so it was going to be an early start on Sunday.

Combined with the soft sounds of the surf caressing the underneath of the colonial-style units with its extended verandahs, which was going to be our home for the night, Jerry and I decided it was time to hit the bed as Hengs love composition was now becoming more of a sweet lullaby.

We woke to a beautiful Sunday morning as the sun’s rays penetrated the mangrove shrubs that perched our verandah. As the resort’s pet parrots and tree kangaroos nibbled on their breakfast, we were set for a fun-filled day.

A beautiful view of Lion Island

The group was divided into two and presented with a dozen raw eggs each, one set of eggs representing 12 Japanese tourists and the other representing 12 Australian tourists. Our objective was to provide the best service and care to our clients on a short but memorable tour to PNG.

The tour package included their separate flights into Port Moresby - a group member throwing a raw egg over a distance of some five steps to a catching partner, ensuring that none of the eggs smashed.

We lost one Australian. Then it was a rough road trip (egg in spoon race) along the Highlands Highway to conquer Mount Wilhelm. Back in the classroom, John and Andrew distributed plastic straws to build a tall structure (Mt Wilhelm). One more Japanese was lost following a slight earth quake.


Tourists at Loloata Island Resort...

A Japanese was also lost during the decent – throwing of remaining eggs to a catching partner on the ground from the balcony. Then it was time to hit the sea in Madang, fortunately no one was lost on the boat trip, although the sun was a bit too hot for Rose and Grace liking, as the slightly built Suron from Marawaka in Eastern Highlands took us out to sea.]

And as the ferry took us on the last 15-minute trip back across Bootless Bay to the Tahira Boating Centre for our trip back home, there was no denying that it was one weekend to remember and that Loloata was definitely a “must visit again” destination.

Loloata Island Resort is about 20 minutes from Port Moresby and is the perfect get-away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

It’s great for snorkeling and scuba diving and water sports such as kayaking, surf ski or if you just want to have a swim.

Scenic sunset view at Loloata

Loloata is particularly popular for its diving and has visitors all year-round from around the world.

Having a FUN time - Pako, one the visitors leads the way for his companion Hens]

Many foreign communities in Port Moresby also take day trips there, as did the Japanese with their families on Saturday and the Chinese on Sunday.

It’s a great place to spend time with the kids as well.

Visitors ennjoy their stay on the island

The author of this story - Colin Taimbari ( front-right) is seen here with the Loloata Retreat Team for 2004.