Some exotic moments of the South Pacific Games baton in its journey touring the country: The Eastern Highlands and Simbu provinces

THE South Pacific Games baton relay saw the exquisitely-sculpted metal baton visit the many provinces throughout the country. In Eastern Highlands and Simbu Province – the home of its maker artist Gickmai Kundun who received a hero's welcome at Kundiawa and his home village of Ombondo which he has not visited for 23 years. It also dropped in on the Asaro Mudmen at Goroka, took in an aerobics session at Yonki, traveled across the Yonki Dam and causeway and through the 2478m-high Daulo Pass where village children decorated the convoy vehicles with circlets of flowers. Below some exotic image collections from this trip of the baton. 

A child in traditional Simbu dress is proud to hold the baton. Image: madNESS Photography.

The designer of the baton – master metal sculptor Gickmai Kundun (right) – received a hero's welcome when he returned to his home village of Ombondo. The village is also the home of Oil Search's representative Willie Kupo (left). Image: madNESS Photography.

Young members of the Eurupe Siasi Dancing Group send off the relay. Image: madNESS Photography.

The baton takes a canoe ride on Yonki Dam. Image: madNESS Photography.

PNG Power employees and their families at Ramu 1 Power Station. Image: madNESS Photography.

Roadside sellers provide circlets of flowers for Oil Search's Willie Kupo and the rest of the relay team. Image: madNESS Photography.

An elder plays a pipe in the Chuave District. Image: madNESS Photography.

The baton arrives in Massy village, just outside Goroka, where the community had decorated the stretch up the hill to their community with beautiful tropical flowers. Image: madNESS Photography.

A village elder receives the baton at Massy village, outside Goroka. Image: madNESS Photography.

Painted bodies at the entrance to the old Highlands Highway. Image: madNESS Photography.

Source: Lilly PNG Magazine / Facebook Page/2016.