KIRIWINI ISLAND WAS AS CHARMING a place as you could imagine—like something out of Tales of the South Pacific. Just as in days of yore when the islands were visited by whaling ships, a ship in the harbor is a big deal for Kiriwini. Sadly, bare-breasted beauties wearing leis no longer paddle out in canoes but you can find them in the village if you are diligent.
Good work if you can get it
The entire island, it seems, has something to sell or a service to offer. Since we had no intentions of buying anything we didn’t even bring any money. We scooted out of the village and into the brush in search of…. Well, actually, Connie had no idea what birds might be here but that wouldn’t stop us.
Kiriwina Village
In no time at all ten-year old Ricky attached himself to us, ordering, “If you want to see the island, come this way!” After warning us that there aren’t many birds he was the first to spot the few we saw and even told us their names “in the vernacular.” How many US fifth-graders know that word?
Jaws Old School
We followed him through the forest and over a coral ridge to his village. Along the way he let drop that only a couple of cruise ships come each month. In their absence the community faces drought, not of rain but of the foreign currency that they need for rice and stuff. Properly shamed, I borrowed a sawbuck from some other cruisers, promising to pay them back on board. Then we hooked Ricky up with another couple who had just arrived from the ship. I hope Kiriwini’s youngest entrepreneur and rain-maker had a good day.
Kids on Kitava
KITAVA ISLAND WAS ALL ABOUT KIDS. Kids singing. Kids dancing. Kids in their native dress. And kids just horsing around. Otherwise the island activities seemed to go on as though the the elderly hoard wasn’t there.
