# @olderelder on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DPmweH1jmbu
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/35495861-olderelder-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/a95fc08bb3.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-10-09T22:40:17.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Jeremy Elder (@olderelder1) — https://gondola.cc/olderelder1

## Caption

I’ll be honest, I was nervous heading to Papua New Guinea after everything I kept reading only talked about how dangerous the country was. Within 1 hour of exploring Port Morsby I realized how friendly and welcoming the people of PNG truly are. It was the exact opposite of what I had read. Not only does every single person smile, wave, and shake your hand, but everyone wants you to take their photos. It’s a photographers paradise. 
Unknown to me that first weekend in Port Moresby was the country’s 50th independence celebrations, so there were street parties everywhere across the city. Driving around you’d see people in traditional celebration outfits just walking around the street and large “50th” posters and statues in celebration. 
From the city our group headed up to Mount Hagen where we explored a large market, a coffee plantation, and spent the day with a local tribe. From there we started the long drive to Goroka and along the way stop by the famous Skelton tribe and Mud Men. Then after a long day we arrived in Goroka for the 69th Goroka Festival. 
It’s hard to describe what that festival was like since it was essentially an overstimulation of color and sounds (in the best way possible). Over 100 tribes come to dance and sing and I think it’s one of the most beautiful ways to preserve your culture and pass on traditions to the next generation. 
These were just a few of my favorite images. If you get a chance to visit PNG you won’t regret it! 

Everything shot on sonyalpha A1 with 24-70mm & 70-200mm 

#papuanewguinea #goroka #gorokafestival #sonyalpha

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 258
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 55

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Jeremy Elder | @olderelder1 | https://gondola.cc/olderelder1 | Photographer |

## Tags

gorokafestival, sonyalpha, goroka, papuanewguinea

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