Rabaul Frangipani Festival - Baining Fire Dance - September

It was the morning of September 19, 1994 when Vulcan and Tavurvur erupted, forming an ash cloud more than 18kms above Rabaul. The eruption caused around 30,000 people to be evacuated from the city and a massive amounts of damage to buildings in the city.

Although the volcano caused a lot of hardship for Rabaul Town, the city was able to revive itself and regain its reputation as a tropical paradise. Rabaul Hotel was one of a few buildings to survive the weight of the volcanic ash. This very special and monumental hotel in Rabaul and its owner Susie McGrade, who opted to stay with the hotel rather than evacuate during the 1994 eruptions, will be our home base for the next 7 days. 

Day 1- September 11: Once you have landed in Rabaul, likely through Port Moresby, you will be met at the airport by Susie McGrade and taken to the famous Rabaul Hotel. The Hotel is the oldest hotel in the New Guinea Island is located on the famous Mango Avenue, the heart of Rabaul.

Once you've settled into your room, we will indulge in some fresh young coconuts and other cocktails as we attend the official Ki'Bung - Welcome to Rabaul, sponsored by the Rabaul Hotel.

Day 2 - September 12: This morning you'll wake up and enjoy a hearty breakfast that includes fresh coconut water, tropical fruit, and of course PNG coffee and tea. After breakfast, we will get ready for a full day tour of Rabaul Town including:

• The Lark Force and 2/22 Memorial 
• Montevideo Maru Memorial
• Rabaul Museum
• Yamamoto's Bunker
• Peace Memorial

Day 3- September 13: Following our delicious breakfast this morning, we will head out towards Kokopo, stopping at the WWII Barge Tunnels & Japanese Underground Hospital before our stop at the Kokopo War Museum.

We will then stop for lunch at the Ralum Club. Once we have finished lunch, we will make our way to the Bita Paka War Cemetary. Here we will take some time to reflect and place some flowers at the Cenotaph. 

After Bita Paka, we will make our way back to Rabaul passing Vunakanau Airstrip. This is the airstrip that the Hudsons and Wirraways took off in an attempt to protect Rabaul and intercept Japanese Aircraft attacking the city. We will follow windy roads along the famous Toma Ridge stopping for photos along the way. We will stop at the Cross roads where Lark Force tired to make their escape, then we'll descend down the winding Burma Road.

We will arrive back at Rabaul hotel for a swim and dinner.

Day 4 - September 14: Today, we will travel through what was once a very busy China Town and Malay Town, and also through the old Rabaul Golf Course. We will also visit the smoking volcano Tavurvur and get to see the natural hot springs here. While we are here, a local from Matupit Village will tell us the story of the Rabaul Volcanos as well as fill us in on its most recent eruptions and current eruptions.

Next we will take a drive over to the former Lakunai Airport that is now covered by metres of volcanic ash and we will visit the last remains of a crashed Betty Bomber. After Matupit, we will visit the world renowned Volcano Observatory on top of Tunnel Hill and the WWII site, Frisbee Ridge.

On our way back to Rabaul Hotel, we will stop at the Rabaul Bung Market to check out some local culture and produce. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can try out the local favourite "Buia" - Beetle Nut with lime and mustard. Or, on another more appealing note, you can try local "Karamaps" - banana, fish and greens, wrapped in banana leaves. We will then return to the hotel for lunch.

After lunch, and maybe a small nap, you can either choose to take a stroll through the local area with a guide or take a bus ride to the shops in Rabaul, or we can visit a school to hand out books, pens, etc, in case you have brought something with you from your home country - completely optional.

This evening we will spend some time at the New Guinea Club and then head back to the hotel for a light dinner.

Day 5 - September 15: Today will be an early one! We will make our way to the Rabaul water to witness the local Tolai people's custom of "Kinavai". This is performed by the Tubuan Society. An ancient tradition still being performed to keep the culture alive! After the performance, we will return to the hotel for breakfast and then back to the water at the Yacht Club, followed by the Independence Day festivities. 

At 6pm this evening, we will have a chance to see the Baining Fire Dance. A traditional dance where men from the Baining tribe dance on open flames. A very colourful performance to say the least! We will enjoy a later dinner this evening at the hotel.

Day 6 - September 16: Today after breakfast we will witness the Frangipani Festival Float Parade.

This festival is truly a time to reflect on the disastrous effect that the two volcanoes has on the town of Rabaul. Although the town was almost completely destroyed by mother nature, the people of Rabaul persisted and stand very proud of what's been accomplished, as they should.

Today lunch and dinner will be served at your request - so let us know when you're hungry!

Day 7 - September 17: This morning marks our last day together. After you've enjoyed an early breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. 

End of tour. 

Included: 

- Executive style room accommodations

- Airport transfers

- All tours

- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

- Entrance fees

Excluded:

- Travel Insurance

- Snacks or meals not mentioned in itinerary

- International flights

- Costs related to personal items