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| Buka Island looking from the North |
In fact,it was my first trip to the outer niugini islands region. I board Air Nuigini in Madang at around 8:00am and travelled via Port Moresby and safely landed on Buka island at 200pm. Men, I had a great experience flying at very high altitude. You know what, I felt completely helpless the moment I looked through the window. My entire body was freezing, dead and weak. What if there was a technical fault or something happened to the plane, there was no sight of any surface of the earth, The more I thought of it, the more freightened I became. I would just die the moment something happened to the plane. Alas, that was the best part of my experience flying high above the clouds.Anyway, upon landing at Buka airport,the passengers mostly locals started for their destinations. I was a bit nervous as I see almost 100 percent dark coloured skin people. There was one particular young man, who later introduced himself as Tony apparently Jiwaka and Buka parentage, was looking strangely at me. That look made me more frightened. We met some minutes later and he seems so friendly. He knew that I was a first timer there so he wanted to help out if I am lost. We briefly had a chat and offered him some money for making me feel at home.
Like the famous singer olimaya said, "Yu yet kam na lukim", ( come and see for yourself ) Buka island turned out to be different as I set foot on it. People are welcoming and respectful. Its even more safer to walk in town even till late nights. I had an acquainted with a gentlemen who offered to stop a passing PMV bus when I was standing at a bus stop near the airport. Wow, thats unusual in other places. No body cares what you need and strangley I thought if everyone in my place had this type of personality, we would be better off. I conclude that generally Bougainvilleans are educated in their mind. This is clearly reflected in the way they behave. Drunkard youths mind their own business, without intefering the normal lives of others. Women,children and men are moving around freely without fear of violence. Its really encouraging to see that almost 100 percent of the businesses from guest houses to merchandise outlets are owned and operated by locals. The stores itself are all packed to capacity ranging from very small accessories like matches, needles to major accessories like clothes, food, guitars etc. The island is also fortunate to have all the vital government services like bank, post office, hospital, telikom., PNG Power, NBC, New Dawn FM among others. The size of the township is even smaller compared to other centres like Kaintanu and yet they are blessed with abundance of services.
I also had the previledge to tour the New Dawn FM station. Its a community oriented station that inform, educate and entertain community involvement and participation. Its fascinating to discover this talented journalist making headlines at the international arena. The facilties and studio are modern to date and all computerised. As I looked around I saw radio broadcasters busy doing their stuff, some editing news while others broadcasting.
Well, I am running out of words but let me tell you once more that,I really enjoyed my stay at Buka island. So if you are planning for a family holiday, or a business trip, or an employment opportunity, just take the opportunity and dont miss the chance. I have been there and I know what I am saying. Its a beautiful and safe place to live and work as long as you do the right thing.
