Malum Nalu

A magical helicopter ride between Mendi and Mt Hagen

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Last Saturday, I had the privilege of an amazing chopper ride from Mendi in Southern Highlands to Mt Hagen in Western Highlands, taking in some of the most-spectacular scenery in the world.
The words of veteran PNG helicoper pilot, Capt David Inau, still stick in my mind: "This is the most beautiful country in the world and we must never allow it to be lost."
I couldn't agree more!

Leaving Mendi.

Morning glory.

Mt Ialibu.

Mt Giluwe, the second highest peak in PNG at 14, 327ft (4, 367m)

Surreal colors

Amazing scenery.

A hole in the clours over Mt Hagen.

Thank you for the amazing flight, Captain.

Beautiful Kiburu Lodge, Mendi

All pictures @MALUM NALU

On the evening of Friday, Dec 20, 2013, our chopper was caught in thick cloud cover on the flight between Kandep in Enga and Mt Hagen in Western Highlands.
Our pilot diverted to Mendi, Southern Highlands, where the staff of the beautiful Kiburu Lodge put us up for the night.
When next in Mendi, make sure you stay at the Kiburu.

Entrance to Kiburu Lodge, Mendi

Kiburu Lodge waterway

That's me at one of the units of Kiburu Lodge.

Mendi River behind the Kiburu Lodge.

That's me on the banks of the Mendi River behind Kiburu Lodge.

Well-kept grounds of Kiburu Lodge.

Colours of Kandep

All pictures @MALUM NALU

Remote Kandep, Enga province, exploded into colour for the opening of several major projects by senior government ministers on Friday, Dec 20, 2013.
Here are some of those colourful moments.

Colourful Kandep warriors at the launching of the Wasa Bridge project.

Traditional v mordern as the famous Sili Muli women's group from Kompiam takes cover from the rain using umbrellas.

Kandep MP and Treasurer Don Polye meets a group of traditional warriors.

The famous Sili Muli women's group of Kompiam.

Kandep MP and Treasurer Don Polye is welcomed by the famous Sili Muli women's group.

Magical Kandep, Enga province

All pictures @MALUM NALU

Last Friday, December 20, I travelled to remote Kandep, Enga province, for the launching of several major projects by government ministers.

Kandep - nestled between Enga, Hela and Southern Highlands provinces - has the potential to become one of the leading centres in the Highlands and Papua New Guinea, says Works Minister and Imbonggu MP Francis Awesa.

He, however, told the people that the onus was now on them to change their ways of tribal fighting and work together towards developing their forgotten backwater.

Here are some pictures of Kandep I took on the day.