First encounter with the sea

Students Martin Gaso (left), Jason Olpa and Rachael Zarlo collecting sea water at the Esplanade in Lae last Friday to take back to their people in Tabib, Southern Highlands.

Story and picture by BENBERT WASA

THREE students from the remote Tabib village in the upper Lai valley of Mendi-Mulhiu district, Southern Highlands, have seen the sea for the first time last Friday when they travelled down to Lae to spend their holidays, The National reports.
Jason Olpa, Martin Gaso and Rachael Zarlo said they were shocked to see the waves splashing onto the shores, thinking the sea would chase them.
They said the ocean should have covered all the places since there are no mountains covering places like in the highlands, but they said: "God made it to be as it is."
Their uncle Joe Kinjul, who had been in Lae for a long time, said it was mostly the educated people who know about the sea while the majority were still wishing.
After sometime standing far away from the shoreline, the children moved closer with some anxiety out of fear of being hit by the waves while trying to collect the salt water to taste.
They said they were scared and happy, at the same time, that they will take bottles of the salt water back to their people in Tabib.
Gaso said it was an experience of a lifetime and he wished to return and visit the rolling waves.
"It is through education that it bring us to see the sea," he said.