After arriving back in PNG for the third term with MAF, we traveled to Goroka for Markus to start training on the Twin Otter. Goroka is in the Eastern Highlands and with 19,000 inhabitants the seventh biggest city in the country. It is situated along the Highlands-Highway which connects the port city of Lae in the East with Mt Hagen and Tari in the West. Goroka is famous for its coffee roasteries. Thus, green coffee beans are the main source of income for a lot of villages surrounding Goroka and contributes to about halve the cargo MAF is flying in this area.
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| Our home for the stay on Goroka |
Goroka is also famous for its Cultural Show which takes place once every year. Groups from all over the country come to present their traditional costumes, dances, and songs to tourists and locals alike. We had the privilege to visit this event for a fee of about $2 a person.
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| Dancing men from the Eastern Highlands at Goroka Show |
In the mean time Markus has finished his training and is flying as First Officer on the Twin Otter. Compared to the Airvan the Twin Otter is a huge aircraft, able to transport 1.5 tonnes of cargo or 19 passengers. This obviously requires much more time when loading or unloading, so we seldom fly more the 4 rounds per day.
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| Twin Otter in front of the MAF Base in Goroka |