Asaro Mudmen Village, Eastern Highlands Papua New Guinea Sept 17,2026 In its long history of continuous human occupation of 60,000 years, the tribes in Papua New Guinea were never united until very recently in the 20th century. High mountains, deep ravines, dense tropical forests and swamplands served to isolate them as did fierce inter-tribal warfare. … More When Ghosts Come Creeping
Geremiaka, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea Sept 17, 2026 The guesthouse might leave a lot to be desired, but meeting the other travelers was an unexpected delight. A well-traveled lot, they are traveling on their own; I am in good company! Sitting around the table over a meal we exchanged hairy tales of travels amid … More A Highland Tribal Village
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Sept 16, 2026 Some 60,000 years ago, humans (Australo-Melanesians) crossed land bridges of Sahul into Papua New Guinea. When the sea levels rose some 10,000 years ago, they were isolated and have so remained. For thousands of years, they established themselves in the highlands, developing entirely unique languages and culture. … More An Irresistible Lure
Lake Sebu, Philippines Sept 15, 2026 A message from Ayumi beeped in to say there was a celebration in the T’boli community. Ayumi was going with Maria Todi and I was invited to come along. How lucky am I! Maria and Ayumi stopped by to pick me up and we jolted our way to the … More A Grand Celebration
Lang Dulay, Lake Sebu, Philippines Sept 14, 2026 Fu Dalu, the spirit of the Abaca plant visits chosen women of the T’boli in their dreams. The spirit gives them intricate patterns and the women then weave them from abaca fibers. They use no sketches or diagrams but weave the patterns entirely from memory. These women … More Weaving a Dream
Lake Sebu, Philippines Sept 13, 2026 The T’boli museum or the Gong House as it is called sometimes, is not far. The outward leaning walls of the house on stilts make me smile to myself; I wonder what other links I may find. Built like one long room, it has split bamboo flooring and a … More Traditions of the T’boli
Lake Sebu, Philippines Sept 11,2026 Tucked into the mountains of South Cotabato is a large freshwater lake called Lake Sebu. At 1000m, it has tropical climate but is a tad cooler than the plains. Fingers of land reach out forming islets and peninsulas making no two views the same. It looks idyllic and may well … More On a Lake Ringed by Mountains
Koronadal, Philippines Sept 9,2026 The Austronesians, having reached Mindanao settled on the coast and in the wide fertile valleys. There is archeological evidence, especially from Butuan in the northeast to suggest settlements with established maritime trade networks. Subsequent incursions from the west brought with it new threats, new religions considered particularly dire ones. Preferring to … More Where Once Stood Forests
General Satos City, Mindanao, Philippines Sept 7, 2026 Pushing south to the end pf Luzon, the Austronesians trickled through to the Visayas, island-hopping their way to the large island of Mindanao. They also spread west into present day Indonesian islands of Sulawesi and Kalimantan. Ah! The similarities in customs with the Kankanaey that I noticed in … More To Land’s End
Baguio, Philippines Sept 4, 2026 The plan is to go to Kabayan next, home to the Kalanguya tribe but it is not on any direct bus route and logistics are not that simple. Hoping to get transport from Baguio I head there. The fitful sunshine I had in Banaue is history and it pours as … More Storms, Floods and a Delightful Surprise
