Agats Asmat, Indonesia Papua
Frequently Asked Questions
By Zodiac, and on the tide. There is no berth for the ship: it anchors off Flamingo Bay and the boats wait for the water to rise before crossing the mud banks. Timings can change at the last minute.
Because the entire town stands above the mud and the tides. Houses, schools, mosques, churches and shops rest on piles, linked by a network of timber and concrete walkways that serve as streets. Beneath the boards, the water rises and falls twice a day.
None. People move on foot or by electric scooter along the raised walkways, in an almost silent flow that surprises every visitor, punctuated by bicycle bells and schoolchildren's greetings.
One of the most admired wood-carving traditions of the Pacific, held in the collections of major museums worldwide. Each work tells a genealogy or a promise made to the dead, and master carvers hold prestige comparable to that of great chiefs — their tools are handed down as inheritances.
The Museum of Culture and Progress, founded in 1973 by missionaries, holds an exceptional collection: bisj mortuary poles carved with interlocked ancestors, shields, drums and canoe prows. The visit illuminates the deep link between forest, ancestors and carving.
Yes, at source. Carvers willingly open their workshops, and the carving market allows direct purchase, which supports families. Bring cash: there are no card terminals here.
Expedition ship calls often bring a ceremonial reception: slender canoes paddled standing up, drums, singing and dancing on the walkways or in front of the men's house. These encounters, guided by local hosts, are among the most powerful in South-East Asian cruising.
With respect, a discreet camera and a ready smile. Follow the local guides' instructions: you are being welcomed into a community, not attending a show staged for visitors.
One of the largest expanses of mangrove and swamp on earth, home to saltwater crocodiles, birds and giant mangrove trees. Dawn Zodiac outings, when mist still hangs over the channels, reveal this amphibious labyrinth in a light many passengers rank as the highlight of the call.
Closed shoes with grippy soles — the walkways can be slippery. The equatorial climate and humid heat call for water, a hat and light long-sleeved clothing. Add cash if you plan to bring home a carving.
