On this island, there was no television or electricity (except in some hotels and administration buildings). On this island, you can walk, wander alone and share smiles with others. And on this island, there are no police, thieves or fear. Just flowers in the hair! Everywhere I went, I met children playing and laughing. They have to make their way through the omnipresent pigs, which gambol in complete freedom. Trobriand is just two hours away from Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea but the government seems to ignore this place as it does not contain minerals or gold. “We are forgotten,” said the only doctor on the island. “Times are hard. We want to keep our traditions and to live in villages, but many people die from typhoid, malaria and pneumonia due to scarce water supplies and poor hygiene.” I was speechless. During my stay, nobody complained or begged for anything. Though food seemed to be scarce as I met a journalist from Port Moresby covering the hunger problem on the island, no one really complained about the absence of food or the hunger. The reality behind the curtain, however, is another story. And faith in life is stronger than anything else. © Eric Lafforgue www.ericlafforgue.com