Kalam Cultural Festival 2008 - Simbai

Hi guys,
Just posting to let you know that the Kalam Cultural Festival for this year is from Monday, the15th of September to Saturday, the 20th of September, 2008. However, the main days are on Thursday, 18th and Friday, 19th. Saturday, 20th September is really just a break up day, so not much happens. Now, if you are planning to get up there, the easiest way is to stay at Madang Lodge, and talk to Esron Dotch, who works in the restaurant there. Heaps of the staff who work there are from Simbai, so they'll easily organise it for you. Esron Dotch is the nephew of Dickson Kangi, who is the tour guide for Simbai. If you want to contact them beforehand, it's probably easiest contacting Esron's other uncle, Brodney, by email [email me if you'd like his email address], and I'm sure he can help you out. He checks his email regularly (at work I think), so you can get a very quick response (uncommon in PNG!). Some useful phone numbers as well - 852 3416 - which is in the LP. This is actually Brodney's home phone number, not Esron's! The communal mobile phone of Esron and Dickson is 6757421 and it is a Bmobile phone, so if you have a digicell simcard, you can't contact it, because the stupid networks are not compatible - stupid government...
Anyway, I will post my trip report in a week or so, once I've written it! You can email me if you want further info at a1k1a1p1a1c1k1e1r1@y1a1h1o1o1.com [remove numerals - I don't want to get spammed]
Get up to Simbai - it is bloody awesome!
Cheers
David

Hi,

I am going to Simbai for this festival this year.

If there is anyone else interested in going, feel free to make contact with me via PM

Especially if you are interested in flying from Simbai to Mt Hagan around the 22nd September. The company need at least 3 others interested in taking this route before they will run it.

Cheers

Kiri