Silversea Luxury Cruises À MADANG

Papua New Guinea is a very-low-income country with very basic infrastructure, and vastly different to the western culture mentality. Local conditions may be challenging; therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. Coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. We thank you for your understanding.

Discover the important landmarks of Madang and experience a slice of traditional village life during this half-day excursion to its north coast.

Siar Village & Traditional Village Life Activities

Drive along Madang's scenic north coast road to Siar Village, where a traditional bamboo band welcomes you. Upon arrival, you are invited to witness village life demonstrations such as traditional cooking, kava ceremony and canoe making.

The people in this area of Madang have been making kava for a hundred years. Kava ceremonies take place at all important village occasions. Kava ceremony plays an important part something men take during village discussions or meetings. Powdered kava is mixed with water and presented in a 'bilo' (coconut cup) to those who wish to taste this ceremonial drink.

Village women will prepare a local dish in front of you which you will then be able to taste.

As in the Pacific each coastal tribe in Papua New Guinea have different styles and ways of making canoes, the Siar people are no exception. See how they have been making canoes for centuries.

Afterwards, begin the return to the ship in Madang. A photo stop at the coast watcher monument is made en route to the pier.

Papua New Guinea is a very-low-income country with very basic infrastructure, and vastly different to the western culture mentality. Local conditions may be challenging; therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. Coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. We thank you for your understanding.

Discover the important landmarks of Madang and experience a slice of traditional village life during this half-day excursion to its south coast.

Cultural Museum

From the pier, depart for the Cultural Centre and Museum which was built in 1980 in the form of a spirit house found in Madang before the arrival of the white man. The museum contains an excellent display of rare artefacts, musical instruments including kundu drums and garamuts (split drums), photographs from the German occupation period, weapons and shields, masks and traditional bilas (body jewellery/decoration). One prize of the collection is a model of the large traditional two-mast sailing canoes that were once used by the Madang people to trade up and down the coast. The museum also houses some intricately carved garamuts used to communicate over long distances.

Bilbil Village & Clay Pot Making Demonstration

From the museum, a panoramic drive brings you to Bilbil village. Here, the villagers display their earthenware pottery, crafted in the same manner for hundreds of years. The clay pot is the main source of currency when trading with neighbouring tribes. See the villagers create their pots, followed by a cultural performance.

Afterwards, begin the return to the ship in Madang. A photo stop at the coast watcher monument is made en route to the pier.

Papua New Guinea is a very-low-income country with very basic infrastructure, and vastly different to the western culture mentality. Local conditions may be challenging; therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. Coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. We thank you for your understanding.

Get a glimpse of the rich and extensive cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea, where as many as 800 different languages are spoken by different tribal groups. Depart the pier for a brief transfer to the Madang Resort Hotel for the Mini Cultural Festival.

See twelve different traditional dance groups from Madang and other select provinces in the country, including the Asaro Mudmen from the highlands, the Garamut dancers from Manus Island and the Sepik people. All groups are performing at the same time in different parts of the festival grounds.

Traditional demonstrations include a clay pot making demonstration from Bilbil village near Madang. Watch as men from a local village show how to make a kava beverage used in celebrations and ceremonies. Madang is one of the few places in PNG where kava is grown and brewed.

See artisans demonstrate their traditional handicrafts, including Sepik carvers and fish basket weaving techniques that have been passed down from mother to daughter for hundreds of years. Shop for souvenirs such as wooden carvings, necklaces or shell ornaments, and printed shirts, lap-lap or sarongs.

After your cultural experience, you may leave at any time. Feel free to enjoy hotel facilities or simply walk into town and once ready, take the shuttle bus from the hotel foyer for your return drive back to the pier.