WARA SIMBU

 

FLOWING WITH WARA SIMBU TOURIST LODGE

 

By BIG PAT

 

YOU can feel it. She can hear it.

In the misty morning. Also in the rainy night.

Silently drawing your attention. Quietly seeking your consideration. 

Most times smoothly. Sometimes violently.

If you are a river man like me you will understand how a river shapes the life of people.

Water is life.  So a river, by its shape and size, by its design and flow, by its contours and bends, by its waterfalls, it gives life to the ecosystem.

God by his superior magnificence and love gave us that opportunity. 

And we depend off his creation for survival.

This, my dear friends, is Wara Simbu, the life and survival of Chimbu and Gulf. 

This is the umbilical cord of you Simbu and me Kerema. And the rest of the ecosystem that thrives on it.

So am standing here besides the mighty Wara Simbu, adjusting my mind and soul to its flow. 

Welcome to the Simbu Riverside Tourist Lodge (SRTL) where the river never stops. And the party, well you have to here as it never stops.

Lofty never thought that one day my toes will be dipped in the cool waters of the mighty Wara Simbu which flows on to become the powerful Purari river in my home province Gulf of Papua. 

That is how Kerema (Kei Town) is connected to Kundiawa (KTaun) the famously 4 kona town of Papua New Guinea made famous by my brothers, chief Willie Kupo, late Bal Numapo, tigerman Kelly Naru, Peter Korugl, my son Peter Yoba, besty pack Jimmy Drekore, Melbourne Storm star Justin Olam and the great Wally Yegiora, my late friend and rugby league administrator.

And this is Wally's story. In 2013, Wally downed his rugby league boots on the side of Wara Simbu.

On land his family owned, he started building the Simbu Riverside Tourist Lodge.

Now run by his son Singhu Yegiora, the quaint little 10 roomed lodge has excellent riverside views just near the Wara Simbu bridge.

Singhu, an affable easy going young man, says SRTL is the perfect hideaway for companies or organisations looking to host conferences away from the hustle and bustle of big cities and towns.

"We are locally owned and locally run, we can cater for conferences of up to 50 people, we have a conference room, whiteboard, a projector, and staff who can look after your event," he says confidently.

"If you're hungry, save your breath. Our on premises kitchen cooks according to customers' preference which is affordable to everyone."

He said SRL also does customized catering and can be able to host any functions/parties.

One of the interesting features for weekend users is the open air bar overlooking river and if you're a keen fisherman like lofty, you can check out some of the deep bends in Wara Simbu with Singhu.

Singhu adds: "We are accessible, affordable, safe and most importantly we have an environment that will give you a breath of fresh air and at the same time take your breath away."

Simbu River Tourist Lodge also offers weekend stay away tours which includes rooms, hire car, and a tour of some famous sites in Simbu.

When late Wally put SRTL here, he also had a thought about the flora and fauna. So whether you are from the mountain, coast or islands, be surprised with lowland mangoes and coconuts that grow by the riverside.

And for buai lovers, there's plenty of nuts and daka on the lodge grounds.

Room rates are affordable at Deluxe Room (One double bed and one single bed) for per night K200 and Twinshare Room (two single beds) is K180.

Contact numbers? 72662858 or 71277881 or email on siyegiora@gmail.com 

 

 

Picture caption

1.      L-R: SRTL's friendly staff Wari, James and Anna.

2.      James under the coconut and mango trees.

3.      Adventurer Big Pat besides the Wara Simbu.

Picture by STEVEN UMARU