Independence Day - In Search of Susu, also known as Nen Nen

Words were already swirling around that there would be a parade of susu, commonly known among Chinese Malaysian as nen nen. In English, it is called breast. Yes, cold naked breast being paraded for display by the women of Papua New Guinea on Independence Day.

Now, you may ask how is this possible. You see, some of the local people would celebrate Independence Day dressed in their traditional costume, or should I say, dressed in leaves, tree barks, feathers, body paint , nylon strings and nothing else. There is nothing to cover their breasts. It is a tradition that women would dress like this during special occassons such as during traditional festivals, celebrations, welcoming of very important people, and even during beauty contests. Women dressed in this manner is nothing new. After all, newspapers feature them regularly.

And that was it. Featured in newspapers but never seen with our own eyes. So when PNG old timers told new comers like me about susu being displayed at supermarkets, the immediate thought was that these supermarkets are organising special events featuring breasts. It is an event not to be missed and we were waiting anxiously to see them with our own eyes. Excitement seen only among new comers from Malaysia (and other Asian countries), having come from an Islamic country where you have no chance of seeing breasts being displayed publicly.

So on this occasion of PNG Independence Day, which co-incidentally is also Malaysia's newest public holiday, Malaysia Day, I present to you some of the breasts displayed in public.

Ang's Restaurant

Friends back home has been tantalizing me with food. Yes, good delicious food of home. Well, I have to get even with them.

This wild and uncivilized country is also a land of opportunities. Hence, people of many nations are here to make their money, among them Malaysians who are here operating successful and profitable restaurants. Ang's Restaurant is one of them.

Compare the prices of the noodle and rice dishes at Ang's Restaurant and in Malaysia. K1 is between RM1.05 - RM1.20. Now you know how much a restaurant like Ang's Restaurant makes in a year. At lunch time, it is always full.

Ang's Restaurant is said to be made famous because of its Duck Noodle. I haven't tried it but friends tell me that it is very good, comparable to the best in KL. Indeed, it looks so good, with the succulent duck meat.

The Claypot Noodle looks delicious but unfortunately, I was told it does not taste as good. as it looks . The  noodle was not boiling in sizzling hot claypot as most people would expect.

This fried Kuay Teow looks plain, unlike what was shown in the menu. The taste was plain and I have to say I fry better Kuay Teow than this.

This is the menu offered by Ang's Restaurant.

 

 

Papuan New Guineans are afraid of ......

This must be the surprised of the year.

My Inbox has not been receiving many emails today, and I thought today must be the rare days when I could take a little break from a hectic work schedule.

Only when a friend skyped me and told me that today is Hari Raya did I realise the reason for the low email activity, since there was no email from Malaysia.

When a Malaysian staff of mine got into a conversation with a local staff about Hari Raya and Islam, I told them that I once saw a Papuan New Guinean woman in head scarf shopping in a hypermarket. When I asked  the local staff how were they converted, she answered me that she did not know but there are a lot of them around Hohola area, where there is a mosque. She further added that many people avoided them because they are afraid of them. What! Papuan New Guineans, a feared people themselves, being afraid of scarfed Muslim!! I could not believe it. I never thought that Papuan New Guineans actually know the word "afraid".

Snorkelling at Loloata Islands

It was past 9:00 p.m. when a friend knocked on my door, asking me whether I was interested in going for a trip, an hour ride out to sea the next day. Without hesitation, I asked where, but was answered with a shake of the head. When asked, he replied saying that we would be going with employees from other companies, of different nationalities. Anyway, I agreed and was told to pack and be ready by 7:45 a.m. the next morning. The total package would be PGK132, inclusive of meals and boat ride.

Early on Sunday morning, 29th August 2010, I had my breakfast. By 7:45 a.m., we were at RH Hypermarket waiting for a friend, the organiser, to pick us up. At 8:00  a.m., he turned up with his girlfriend and another girl. It was from him that I learnt that we would be going to Loloata Island.

We went to one of his employer's work site and waited a while before proceeding to a gas station to wait for yet another of his colleague who decided to join us only that morning. At 8:50 a.m., we reached the jetty.

Indeed, Loloata Island has always been the place that people would recommend going when you are in Port Moresby. My trip to Loloata could have been realised in April had it not been my Easter holiday trip to Cairns at the same time. Then, our company organised a day trip to Loloata Island. It is one of those places that expatriates working in Port Moresby should visit.
 
Manukan, Mamutik and Sapi Islands in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park in Sabah have a lot more fish, of different species, swimming near the beach. Redang and Perhentian Islands may not have as many species of fish but you do see a lot of different species of living corals off the beach and both have long white sand beaches. Tanjung Datu beach in Sarawak is the most idyllic and serene of all. Compared to Loloata, they are more beautiful.

Loloata has one plus side. The water is unpolluted and very clean. On the island where we were snorkelling, the beach is very rocky. Near the water-edge, the rocks is very slippery. The sea-bed where we were snorkelling is very shallow, between 4 - 5 feet deep. The water is very clear with high visibility and you could see the sea grass, sea weed, sea cucumbers, corals, etc. with ease.

I wonder why a white man is engaged as the captain. Isn't there any capable national?

This is a group of mainland Chinese

Taking the small boat to the snorkelling site. The journey was safe in the calm sea.

These Indonesians did not puasa

The beach is so small

The beach is really untidy and not maintained at all

The sea is very shallow, only 4 - 5 feet deep

I like the emerald green water in this photo

The beach on Loloata Island is also very small

Some local tourists enjoying themselves

The dining area

The guys are Filipino, the ladies Chinese Indonesians

The chicken on the left is raw with blood. Kurang rasa.

This was found on Loloata Island

Nothing to do so these two guys, both Malaysians, cooing at the pheasants.

That evening, the fresh sea treasure was cooked for dinner.

Dinner was cooked and eaten at the organiser's staff quarters.