Watch Globe Trekker - Papua New Guinea
- NR
- 1998
- 48 min
Globe Trekker's Papua New Guinea episode follows presenter Megan McCormick as she explores this remote and culturally unique country. Papua New Guinea is located on the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, and it is home to hundreds of indigenous tribes that speak over 800 different languages. McCormick ventures into the highlands of the country to learn about the traditional lifestyle and customs of the people who live there.
The journey begins in the capital city of Port Moresby, where McCormick visits the National Museum and Art Gallery of Papua New Guinea. The museum is home to a vast collection of traditional artifacts and contemporary art from the country's diverse cultures. McCormick also visits a local market where she samples some of the traditional cuisine, including taro root, yams, and sweet potato.
Leaving the capital behind, McCormick makes her way into the highlands of the country. The highlands are known for their rugged terrain and remote villages, where many people still live traditional lifestyles. McCormick visits several villages, where she learns about the customs and practices of the people who live there. She attends a traditional sing-sing, a gathering where dancers and musicians come together to celebrate their culture through song and dance.
McCormick also meets with a tribe of mud men, who wear elaborate masks made out of clay and perform rituals to honor their ancestors. The mud men perform a dance for McCormick, and she participates in the ritual by helping to apply the clay masks to the dancers' faces.
In addition to learning about the country's rich culture, McCormick also explores Papua New Guinea's stunning natural beauty. She hikes through the rainforest to visit a remote waterfall and takes a boat ride down the Sepik River, one of the country's major waterways. Along the way, she encounters some of the country's unique wildlife, including crocodiles and the colorful bird of paradise.
Throughout her journey, McCormick emphasizes the importance of respecting and preserving Papua New Guinea's culture and environment. She meets with conservationists who are working to protect the country's rainforest and marine ecosystems, and she emphasizes the role that tourism can play in supporting these efforts.
Overall, Globe Trekker's Papua New Guinea episode is a fascinating and immersive exploration of a country that is both culturally and ecologically diverse. McCormick's passion for learning about the country and its people is infectious, and viewers will come away from the episode with a new appreciation for this remote and beautiful land.