This is one of the places where it all began. Two German missionaries landed here in 1855 and spread the Gospel to this area of Papua. Their arrival is celebrated with a big festival on the 5th of February every year.

We were greeted by a group of highlanders who had come across the water. Some of us were taken arm in arm and we progressed down the path to the central area with hops, skips and much chanting. I was curious about the chanting but I could not get any more information.

Some dances followed – the most memorable was a little boy dancing and spreading the light to the others. That’s the light of Christianity.

Local tour leaders led us up the mountain to see Jesus. Lots of conversations about finding salvation, bursting into flames and ascending to heaven or hell depending on who was involved. The road to salvation it has to be said was very slippery and there were literally some fallen souls !

A bronze and white painted Jesus of some 30 metres soared above us. A little unexpected but quite majestic.

For me it was the extraordinary butterfly fluttering in a flowering tree that was more impressive. My elder sister’s spirit I would like to believe saying hello.

The locals had a small handicraft market with some headdresses which are so colourful but would never pass Aussie customs. Some batiks and carvings too.

The museum, full of dour photos of overdressed and hot Europeans had this stairway above it. Perhaps it is closer to heaven from here. Some athletic souls attempted it. Certainly good views.