SEPOE VILLAGE GUEST HOUSE BUNGALOWS

Impress yourself making sago and taste 'poi' and 'ikoka', and experience real Gulf culture at the Sepoe Village Guest House Bungalows.

By Elizabeth Makis

If you are looking for a more traditional setting, on your next escape in Papua New Guinea, Kerema, located in the Gulf Province, is a destination you should visit.

When planning your visit to Kerema, put Sepoe Guest House as your home-stay of choice, because you will be given a hands-on experience of Kerema culture in an enlightening setting. You will have the privilege of making sago and impress yourself in real Sepoe ethos while being immersed in real Kerema culture with the locals..

On top of that, the traditional camp styled lodgings of Sepoe Guest House have a private beach front, an idyllic off-grid location that offers guests the perfect escape from their busy lives. It is in such local accommodation, as Sepoe Guest House, that you will receive free genuine smiles and warm greetings as you enjoy ‘poi’ and ‘ikoka’.

The Sepoe Guest House and Bungalows, located in Sepoe Village in Kerema, is locally owned and operated

by Helen Tuakara.

Helen is no stranger to tourism as she has over a decade of experience in tour operations and tour guide services

Amongst other services that she specializes in, she provides tours across the Gulf Province and other parts of the country.

“I do other parts of amazing Gulf Province like Lakekamu River stay, Miaru Village stay, Visit Toare Village Amazing Masks. All POM city tours and Fisherman Island tours, Kokoda trekking, Mt Wilhelm trekking and PNG Adventure tours,” added Ms. Tuakara.

Interestingly, you will have the chance of mingling with the locals which you might not often get in a hotel stay where everything is more standardized, especially the inclusion of local food! Like being treated to their local signature dish of ‘poi’ and ‘ikoka’. More so, village tours, hiking, snorkeling and cultural experiences like sago-making form part of this package.

“Our guest's can get involved with the cultural settings and visiting the village lifestyle and being with the people,” said Ms. Tuakara.

On top of that Tuakara is excited to say that Toare Masks Festival is coming up in June as well as Gulf Provincial Festival in December 1st and 2nd.

“I am so excited to mention here we have amazing Toare Masks Festival happening this year in June and Gulf Provincial Festival on December 1st and 2nd”, said Ms. Tuakara.

The main vernaculars spoken in Kerema are the Oiapu Language and Toaripi, as well as Tok Pisin. Culturally, the people there keep a strong connection with their customs and way of life similar with other provinces.

“My village people still keep their culture or customs. We don't throw our rubbish around other people's yards and keep in our bilums till we get home, we always make sure to serve the old people first with their food or never disturb their peace. We don't speak other languages besides our Oiapu Language, when we go to the garden or out hunting in the get lost or be hurt by wild animals”.

“Well PNG's very tropical, and weather changes so always pack a rain coat and extra dry socks in your traveling pack to keep warm,” an extra piece of advice, added by Ms. Tuakara.

In terms of other services like the main market and police station Tuakara said, “The village Craft market and vegetables market is usually organized to sell near the village Bungalows where the guest stays, we have community police within the village, the hospital is about hours drive out of the village”.

Gulf Province is situated at the large deltas. The gulf area is a riparian region where many rivers from the southern slopes of the Highlands drain into, which accounts for the abundant fish and sago in this area.

If you are a local Papua New Guinean and thinking of going to Sepoe Village for a visit, or a tourist wishing to see the Toare Mask Festival, Sepoe Guest House is always open, and more than ready to accommodate you and your need for adventure. Escape the hassles of the city, break-free from and the pressures of civilization, and discover how to loose yourself "600 Ways".

Sago is a staple food in Papua New Guinea. It is called ‘saksak in Tokpisin. It is a starch extracted from the pith of a palm called Metroxylon sagu.