The South Pacific becomes a reality as we slowly make our way to Samarai Island which is still part of Papua New Guinea.

Lush islands with sandy beaches and houses on stilts pass us by. Locals in outrigger canoes come out to take a look as cruise ships are infrequent in this area.

Samarai Island is small and flat. It used to be a trading port and stop over between Australia and East Asia.

During WWII, it was ordered to be destroyed so that it wouldn’t fall in the hands of the Japanese. Although it was rebuilt it never reclaimed its former glory.

Unlike Port Moresby, it is very safe to walkabout the island where there are only about 460 inhabitants. The pier we dock to is wooden and some planks are in need of repair as you bounce on some of them or hop over rotten ones. We are met by children on the dock and with song and dance by the local inhabitants.

They line the grass and dirt track across the islands with crafts and other souvenirs. The women sitting on the grass with sometimes babies at their breast or lap smile showing us mouths stained by the betel nut and a hand swept over their wares. There is no pressure or harassment you might find in other islands.

It is only a 10 minute walk across the island where a sandy and coral beach awaits us. Our stop at Samarai is only a few hours so passengers don their snorkelling gear and quickly head for the blue sea in search of coral and fish. The coral is diverse and fish plenty. We spy many dark blue star fish which is a first for us.

On the beach are some remnants of an old dock and rusty vehicle.

The locals happily sit by the shore and watch over us.

We can see other island across from us shrouded in low clouds and rain showers in the distance but the sun still shines brightly on us.

As we make our way back to the tender, a random building with second hand clothes is advertised but we find that there is actually a vendor of pearls inside.

Necklaces, earrings and loose baroque or round pearls are offered for sale.
As with many islands, loose dogs are aplenty lying in the shade and a few dog fights erupt. The sounds of singing and dancing can be heard as we approach the pier again.

Men leapt into their boats presumably to head out for some fishing.

The local children jump and swim by the dock.

As we depart, the men and children line up on the dock and we all wave goodbye to each other as the tender takes us back to the ship.

Cheers!