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
