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.