They live in the forest very close to Sorong, which is a city of over 300,000 in West Papua. We boarded buses for the trip to the Moi. The city was typically Asian, with an enormous number of motor scooters and motorcycles trying to make five lanes on a two lane road and bustling surroundings. There was a lot of construction, some of it fixing large buildings that had been destroyed. The town appeared very poor, and we were accompanied by a police bike leading the way with his siren going the entire way. We passed the airport, an enormous police station and the barracks for an infantry brigade who were practising on their parade ground. Then we turned abruptly into the forest, where we were greeted by the Moi.
They danced for us.
Showed us native honey, and gave us some of their food. They also showed us where they keep birds that have been rescued from smugglers while they grow their feathers.
And released some snakes.
On our way back to the ship we encountered several enormous rallies for the council election that occurs next month, so it took forever to get back, even with a police escort.
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