With the village chief’s permission and a written note, we paddled across open ocean to reach an island hiding ancient skull caves 💀🏝️ With the village chief’s permission and a written note, we paddled across an open channel to a remote island where skull caves are hidden deep in the limestone. No one truly knows the full story — some say sacred burial, some whisper of rituals or sorcery. Whatever the truth, standing there feels like stepping into another time. 📺 Watch the full story in: 👉 Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe (Ep18) 📍 Location: Panasia Island, Louisiade Archipelago 🧭 Theme: Exploration · Culture · Mystery · Sailing Adventure #OnceUponAReef #SkullCave #AdventureTravel #PanasiaIsland #PacificIslands #SailingAdventure #PapuaNewGuinea #IslandLife #CulturalExploration #TravelDocumentary #HiddenCave #OffGridAdventure

Three people. One two-person kayak. A crossing we’ll never forget. We paddled over shallow reef and into the deep open channel between islands — chasing whispers of ancient skull caves. What started as a wild idea quickly turned into one of those “too late to turn back” moments. By the time we reached the island, the kayak was barely afloat. 📺 Watch the full story on OnceUponAReef — “Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe (Ep18)”. #AdventureTravel #KayakLife #IslandExpedition #ReefCrossing #SkullCave #OnceUponAReef #OpenOcean #WildJourneys #TravelVlog #IslandAdventure

In this powerful episode, we journey deep into Papua New Guinea's remote Motorina Island to uncover the hidden world of black magic, sorcery, and traditional village life. 🪄 From legendary stories of real sorcery to the ancient art of making fire by hand, we explore the indigenous beliefs, survival skills, and rituals that continue to shape daily life in one of the most isolated island communities in the South Pacific. Then we sail to nearby Bagaman Island, where incredibly skilled artisans craft wooden bowls, spoons, forks, and plates from scratch using only handmade local tools — a beautiful expression of self-reliance and creative island living. 👉 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, COMMENT 💬, and SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more off-grid sailing adventures and authentic cultural stories from the sea! 🌴 Episode 20 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 🌊 📍 Location: Motorina Island & Bagaman, Louisiade Archipelago ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Making fire without a lighter 🔥 01:52 – How we started smoking natural tobacco 🍂 03:15 – Legendary stories of black magic & sorcery 🧙‍♂️ 06:11 – Traditional boat building ⛵ 07:22 – Island trading & barter economy 🤝 09:45 – Wood carving from scratch 🪵 12:24 – Eating wild bush fowl eggs 🥚 🫶 Support Our Journey 💡 Patreon – onceuponareef ☕ Buy us a coffee – https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift – https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures 📧 Business Inquiries – onceuponareef@protonmail.com 📸 Instagram – @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 🎥 Poppy’s Channel – https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 👋 Who We Are Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy – two adventure-loving sailors exploring some of the most remote islands and reefs on Earth. By sharing our travels, we hope to inspire, educate, and support efforts to protect our oceans and traditional cultures through storytelling and awareness. 🌊 #SailingLife #RemoteIslandCulture #PapuaNewGuinea #BlackMagic #OffGridAdventure #VillageLife #TraditionalLiving #OceanNomads #LouisiadeArchipelago #WoodCarving #TraditionalBoats #IslandSurvival #SailingCouple #EcoTravel #IndigenousKnowledge #SouthPacificCulture #OnceUponAReef

An unforgettable moment from our Papua New Guinea expedition — sailing home on a traditional outrigger canoe skimming the reef edge of Panasia Island. The wind, the waves, the craftsmanship — all pure island spirit. 🌴 This clip is from Episode 18 – “Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe”, where we uncover hidden skull caves, explore remote islands, and share stories of ancient traditions with the local chief and villagers. 👉 Watch the full adventure here: 🎥 Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe (Ep18) 📍 Panasia Island, Louisiade Archipelago – Papua New Guinea 🛶 Traditional Canoe | Reef Sailing | Remote Island Culture #PapuaNewGuinea #TraditionalCanoe #IslandAdventure #SailingLife #PacificIslands #CulturalJourney #LouisiadeArchipelago #PNGIslands #ReefSailing #OceanAdventure #TribalCulture #TravelShorts #AdventureTravel #SailingVlog #ExploreMore

🌴 In this episode, we sail to the remote island of Motorina, where we’re welcomed by one of the most musical and generous communities we've encountered on our journey so far. 🌺 ✨ From hand-carved ukuleles to sharing whole-cooked chickens and fresh produce, this village experience is a glimpse into a way of life that has been largely lost in the modern world. 🚣🏽‍♂️ We trade with locals arriving by canoe, witness the incredible craftsmanship of their traditional sailing canoes, and learn about "bagi" – the island’s ancient form of traditional money, once made from banana seeds, now beautifully recreated using black coral. 🎣 I also head out into the open sea with our friend Jimmy in his dugout canoe, where he teaches me the art of traditional fishing using feathers, hooks, and a rock wrapped in a leaf — a technique passed down for generations. This is real village life, raw and unfiltered. It’s about connection, tradition, and a sustainable way of living that’s increasingly rare in the Western world. If you love off-grid adventures, remote cultures, and traditional skills, this one’s for you. 👇 Watch now and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more adventures from the sea! 📍 Episode 19 – Sailing Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 🛶 Location: Motorina Island, Louisiade Archipelago 📽️ Highlights: Traditional Village life, Local Music, Trading, Boat Building & Making Bagi ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – 🚤 Sailing from Panasia Island to Motorina Island 01:09 – 👋 Channel Intro – Meet the Crew! 01:38 – 🏝️ A Warm Welcome into the Village 03:06 – 🌿 Life in a Traditional Village 04:12 – 🥁 Local Kids Playing Traditional Music 06:10 – 🍉 Fruits & Veggies We Received from Trading 07:19 – 🤝 What Trading for Our Food Looks Like 08:56 – 🛠️ Boat Building & More Local Trade 12:47 – 📿 How Locals Make Traditional Bagi Necklaces 16:19 – 🎣 Fishing the Traditional Way 18:12 – 💭 Final Thoughts on Motorina Village 🫶 Support Our Journey: 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef ☕ Buy us a coffee ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. #SailingLife #VillageLife #TraditionalFishing #DocumentaryTravel #RemoteIslandCulture #OffGridAdventure #Motirna #SouthPacificCulture #TraditionalCanoes #islandlife

An unforgettable expedition into mystery and adventure. With the chief’s blessing, we paddled across open ocean to hidden skull caves filled with human remains — relics of sorcery, cannibalism, and headhunting traditions. The journey home? A wild ride on a traditional sailing canoe skimming the reef edge. 📍 Episode 18 – Sailing Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 🛶 Location: Panasia Island, Louisiade Archipelago 📽️ Highlights: Remote Kayaking, Wild Ocean Crossings, Skull Caves, Traditional Canoe, Island Music Timestamps: 🌅 00:00 – Epic Day Begins in Paradise 🛶 00:45 – Kayaking Around Stunning Panasia Island 💀 03:10 – Chief Shows us Crushed up Skulls 🏝️ 03:29 – Paddling to a Remote Sand Cay 🎬 04:45 – Channel Intro – Meet the Crew! 🏖️ 05:14 – We Arrive at the Beautiful Sand Cay 👋 05:33 – Meeting the Friendly Island Locals 🌊 05:59 – Crossing Open Ocean — 3 on 1 Kayak (Nearly Sank!) 🙌 07:52 – Safe Arrival at Little Panasia Island! 🏞️ 08:11 – Trekking to the Mysterious Skull Caves 🔦 09:12 – Inside the Eerie Skull Caves 🚶‍♂️ 10:07 – Exploring Little Panasia Village 🎁 10:38 – Uncle John Gifts Poppy a Handmade Bilem 🚣‍♀️ 11:15 – Swapping Kayaks for a Traditional Canoe Ride ⛵ 11:21 – Adventures in a Traditional Sailing Canoe 🎶 16:06 – Local Jam Session Onboard — Island Vibes! With a special note from the chief granting us permission to visit the skull caves, we paddled 2 nautical miles to a sand cay to pick up our guide. He jumped on too, making it three of us in a single kayak — with the bung missing in the front. By the time we reached Little Panasia we were nearly going under. From there, we raced the tide on a scenic journey along sharp limestone cliffs, carved and shaped by the relentless embrace of the sea over countless years. Climbing up through the bush, we reached the hidden skull cave. We never imagined how many human bones would be inside. Their origins are shrouded in mystery — some believe they are remnants of ancestors who fell victim to sorcery, while others suggest they may belong to those consumed in times when cannibalism was still practiced. Intriguingly, many of the lower jaws were missing, perhaps taken as trophies during the days of headhunting, symbols of warriors’ prowess. On the way back, we were offered a ride on one of their traditional sailing canoes while two of our new friends paddled the kayak home. We couldn’t say yes quick enough. Soon we were sculling coconuts and setting off. It was a small canoe, just big enough for four of us. One man stood at the bow calling orders — wind changes, reefs to avoid, when to tack. Another steered at the stern with a massive paddle, half-held with his feet while also pulling ropes to shape the sail. The rest of us rotated bailing as we skimmed so close to the reef, dodging coral heads in the shallows. Back at our boat we jammed until sunset, then farewelled our friends with gifts to thank them for such an incredible day. This was truly a dream adventure — and a must-see episode. 🫶 Support Our Journey: ☕ Buy us a coffee ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. 🧭 Subscribe and join the voyage! #AdventureTravel #Expedition #Documentary #KayakAdventure #SkullCaves #TribalHistory #PapuaNewGuinea #CulturalExploration #RemoteTravel #OceanAdventure #TraditionalCanoe #HeadHuntingHistory #CannibalismHistory #MysteryCaves #TravelDocumentary #IslandExploration

Escape to the crystal-clear waters and untouched beauty of Panasia Island in Papua New Guinea. 🌊✨ Breathtaking aerial views, turquoise lagoons, and lush island landscapes. 🎥 Check Out the Full Video - Guided by Village Chief to Secret Limestone Cave (Ep17) 📍Location: Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #sailingvlog #papuanewguinea #onceuponareef

Poppy hangs off the back while underway to see what might lie beneath as we sail through these breathtaking chain of islands. The Louisiades Archipelago in Papua New Guinea was formed through a mix of tectonic and volcanic activity. Situated at the boundary of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, the movement of these plates uplifted the land, while the volcanic eruptions created many of the islands. Over millions of years, erosion and changes in the sea levels further shaped this stunning archipelago. 🎥 Check Out the Full Video - Guided by Village Chief to Secret Limestone Cave (Ep17) 📍Location: Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #sailingvlog #papuanewguinea #onceuponareef

We set sail to Panasia Island, a breathtaking gem in the Louisiades Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. Join us as we explore crystal-clear waters kayaking ashore, immerse ourselves in vibrant local island culture, and discover hidden treasures like a secret limestone cave. This episode blends adventure, tradition, and nature into one unforgettable journey—don’t miss it! 📍 Episode 17 – Sailing Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 🛶 Location: Panasia Island, Louisiade Archipelago 📽️ Highlights: Stunning Remote Island, Cultural Exchange, Secret Locations, Village Life Timestamps: ⛵ 00:15 - Sailing to our Next Island: Panasia 🌋 01:57 - How the Islands were Created in Louisiades Archipelago 🎶 02:21 - Poppy Teaches Ukulele to Local Village Boy 🎬 02:54 - Channel Intro Video 🚣‍♂️ 03:23 - Magnificent Views Kayaking Ashore 🛶 04:52 - Ryan Helps Fix the Chief’s Dugout Canoe 🥾 07:17 - Hiking to Other Side of the Island 👑 08:39 - What it Takes to Be a Chief of an Island 🏘️ 09:50 - Arriving to Fishing Village 🏊‍♂️ 10:36 - Swimming in a Secret Limestone Cave 🧗‍♂️ 13:02 - Kids Climbing Vines like Monkeys 🌿 14:45 - Local Plant Medicine for Cuts 🌅 15:10 - Stunning Shots of Panasia Island 🫶 Support Our Journey: ☕ Buy us a coffee ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. 🧭 Subscribe and join the voyage! #sailinglife #papuanewguinea #louisiadearchipelago #traveldocumentary #islandlife

We were anchored off a remote island in Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 when locals sailed over to greet us — bringing cooked sea turtle eggs as a gift 🐢. It’s not something we’d normally eat, but refusing might be disrespectful in their culture. What would YOU do? 🎥 In this episode, we dive into an unforgettable cultural experience, explore local traditions, and taste something we never thought we would. 🐢 What would YOU do in this situation? Let us know in the comments 👇 📍 Episode 16 – Sailing Papua New Guinea 🛶 Location: Kukuluba Islet (aka Kokoluba Island), Louisiade Archipelago 📽️ Highlights: Cultural exchange, boat work, music loss, new yacht arrival 🕒 Timestamps 00:00 – 🌴 Welcome to the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 01:36 – ⚓ Boat Jobs in Beautiful Places 02:29 – 🎶 Oops! We Lost All Our Music 03:30 – 👋 New Here? Meet Us (Channel Intro) 04:08 – 🚤 Another Yacht Arrives at Anchor 04:30 – 🐢 Trying Turtle Eggs: Cultural Shock Moment 05:49 – 🌅 Reflecting on Our Visit to Kokoluba Island 🫶 Support Our Journey: ☕ Buy us a coffee ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow Our Adventures: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. 🧭 Subscribe and join the voyage! #sailingvlog #papuanewguinea #culturalexchange

Strangers approached in a traditional sailing canoe…then boarded our boat to offer crayfish?! In this episode of our Louisiades sailing adventure, we experience our very first trade deep in Papua New Guinea’s remote archipelago. Being our first trade, we weren’t exactly sure what was considered fair... 00:00 – 🦑 Catching Squid with Ryan 00:54 – 🎬 Channel Intro 01:32 – ⛵ Arrival of the Traditional Sailing Canoe 03:16 – 📸 Aerial View of Kokoluba 04:12 – 🤝🍚🍬 Trading Rice & Sugar for Fresh Crayfish 05:24 – 🔪🦐 Crayfish Cleaning Hack 05:52 – 🏝️ Journey to the Island Begins 06:47 – 🔥🦐 Cooking Crayfish Over Fire – Island Picnic Style 07:26 – 🍽️ Ryan Returns with a Cooked Island Dinner 🎥 Episode 15 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍Location: Kukuluba Islet; also known as “Kokoluba Island”. Island in Louisiades Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. ☕ Support the Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #sailinglife #papuanewguinea #sailingvlog #traveldocumentary #onceuponareef

We practice technics taught to us in Papua New Guinea, how to cook our food on the fire. Referred to as "Picnic", or probably better known in othrr parts of the world as Barbeque. Creating a elevated rack above the fire allows you to control the cooking process. When patient, you can smoke dry the fish to preserve it for up to 3 days. Places: Kokoluba Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea Buy us a coffee ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef Follow us: ✔INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy ✔PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #onceuponareef #firecooking #PNGpicnic

We find a secluded chain of islands uninhabited by any humans and only visited by fisherman. Without reception, shops or civilization, life is currently very simple. Catch and cook your food being the main event of every day. A reset from modern life that is needed by so many. Places: Kokoluba Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea Buy us a coffee ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef Follow us: ✔INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy ✔PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #onceuponareef #islandlife #papuanewguinea #livingoffthesea

After weather conditions worsen, we are forced to abandon our plans of another reef stop. The closest semi-safe anchorage looked like Kokoluba, so we continued for many more hours, making the decision to anchor at night with nothing but our GPS location overlayed on a satellite chart. Definitely not advisable or encouraged in anyway, but doable if the emergency arises with as simple of a device as Raspberry Pi. With No villages or people, our minds turn more to food, the longer we are there. 00:00 - Leaving Pamela Village on Sudest Island 🛶🏝️ 01:16 - Anchor Trouble! Changing Course Midway 😬 02:02 - Reflecting on Life in the Last Village 🏘️✨ 03:25 - Channel Intro Video 🎥 03:54 - Arriving at Beautiful Kokoluba Island 🌴⛵ 05:49 - Off the Beaten Path: Exploring Kokoluba 🧭🪵 10:39 - Cooking PNG-Style Fish Cakes Over Fire 🔥🍽️ 11:37 - Building a Makeshift Bush BBQ from Scratch 🔧🌿 12:10 - Crafting Tongs from Bush Materials 🪚🪵 15:30 - Dinner is Served in the Wild 🌅🍴 🎥 Episode 14 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍Location: Kukuluba Islet; also known as “Kokoluba Island”. Island in Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #Sailingpng #sailingvlog #kokolubaisland #papuanewguinea #onceuponareef

We paddle up the river, a crocodile gliding beneath us, before ditching the kayak to trek through dense rainforest and into the mountains—where gold is said to lie. Sudest Island, part of Papua New Guinea’s Louisiade Archipelago, saw a gold rush in the early 20th century, with European prospectors and local miners searching for fortune. While large-scale mining never took off, small-scale panning and sluicing left their mark on the island’s history. Now, we journey deep into this forgotten gold country... 00:00 🌅 Sunrise over the water & day’s intro 00:53 🚣‍♂️ Kayaking through a crocodile-infested river 03:11 🎬 Opening video highlights 03:48 🌿 Hiking the rainforest in search of gold 04:55 🛠️ Carolyn’s clever shovel trick 05:31 ⛏️ Step 1: Digging for Gold 09:11 🥄 Step 2: Panning for Gold 14:37 🔍 Our gold hunting attempt 18:50 🎉 Jackpot! We find Gold 19:13 🚣‍♀️ Kids arrive by canoe at the boat 🎥 Episode 13 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍Location: Sudest Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #goldhunting #papuanewguinea #sailingadventures #onceuponareef

We escape our wet, mouldy boat and trek barefoot for hours through rough terrain to help plant yams in a local garden—unlike anything seen in modern society. In the Louisiade Islands of Papua New Guinea, gardening is a mix of tradition and sustainability. Using slash-and-burn methods, hand tools, and rain-fed irrigation, locals grow yams, sweet potatoes, taro, and more. These gardens, often far from villages, are vital for survival and hold deep cultural significance. Join us as we experience firsthand the hard work, knowledge, and traditions that sustain life in this remote paradise. 00:00 - Intro to the Day ⏰ 1:04 - Trying Local Foods (Sago a New Way) 🍽️ 3:10 - Intro Video 🎬 3:39 - How Locals Wash Dishes 🧼 4:10 - Hiking Through the Bush to the Garden 🥾🌿 6:21 - Plants Their Ancestors Would Eat 🌱🍽️ 7:35 - Arrival at the Garden 🚶‍♂️🌺 9:36 - Poppy Plants Yams with the Ladies 🌿👩‍🌾 12:29 - Interview with Caroline About Village Life 🎤🏡 14:03 - We Made History (Again) on Sudest Island 🏆🌴 14:38 - Feasting with the Locals 🍲🤝 15:06 - Poppy Jams with the Locals 🎶🍽️ 🎥 Episode 12 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍Location: Sudest Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #onceuponareef #TraditionalFarming #PapuaNewGuinea #OffGridLiving

We start this episode with Ryan overdosing on betelnut. We are invited to the local church where our prayers are literally answered right then and there. We learn how to scrape coconuts and make a fire inside the boat with tree resin. 00:00 - Kayaking to the Village & Tasting Local Foods 🚣‍♂️🍽️ 2:28 - Intro video 🎬 3:00 - Our Experience at a Local Church ⛪🙏 4:27 - A Glimpse into Sunday Worship in the Village 🙌🌅 7:52 - Ryan Making Coconut Milk with Bush Tools 🥥🔨 11:38 - DIY Candle on the Boat 🕯️🛥️ 12:00 - Poppy Explains How We Do Laundry Aboard 🧺🧼 12:54 - Fires on boats 🔥🛥️ 🎥 Episode 11 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍Location: Sudest Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #onceuponareef #thelouisiades #papuanewguinea

After a closer inspection, we discovered the reason we were so low on water: most of our fresh drinking supply had leaked into the bilge. Ryan rushed to repair the tank, knowing how scarce fresh water can be in these islands. We nearly sank the kayak trekking through mangroves, scrambling up steep inclines, and navigating winding tracks multiple times, hauling our new water supply back to the boat by hand. All of this, only to wake the next morning sore and exhausted — and find the hull full of the very water we’d spent the entire day collecting. 00:00 - Disaster Strikes: Our Portside Water Tank Burst 💥🚰 0:43 - Intro video 🎬 1:16 - Emergency Repair: Fixing the Burst Tank 🔧🛠️ 2:21 - Uh-oh…Another Leak in the Boat?! 😱🚤 3:04 - DIY Fibreglass Boat Repair Hack 🛠️🛶 5:13 - Into the Bush: Mission to Find Fresh Water 🌿🚶‍♂️💧 9:31 - We Nearly Sunk the Kayak Carrying Our Water Supply 😨🚣‍♂️ 9:52 - Morning Shock: Starboard Hull Completely Flooded 🌊😳 11:13 - Total Water System Failure — Both Tanks Are Broken 💧❌🚱 🎥 Episode 10 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍Location: Sudest Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #onceuponareef #papuanewguinea #thelouisiades

With our water reserves running low, we pick our next anchorage purely off satellite imagery. We picked where looked like it would sill have fresh spring water to fill our tanks for us to drink and stay alive. It was made more difficult as these areas reportedly hadn't received decent rain for 7 months. Where this gamble took us was nothing short of a blessing, filled with abundance, community, gold and god. 00:00 - Departing the Barrier Reef in Search of Fresh Water 🌊🚤💧 2:17 - Arrival at the new Village of Pamela 🏘️👋 3:16 - Intro video 🎬 3:45 - Life Without Reception: A Quick Reflection 📵🤔 4:41 - Walking Tour Pamela Village 🚶‍♀️🌺 7:45 - Paddling a Traditional Canoe 🛶🌿 9:00 - Exploring the Village Gardens 🌻🌱 12:19 - Cracking and Tasting the Local ‘Maje’ Bush Nut 🥜😋 🎥 Episode 9 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍Location: Sudest Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #onceuponareef #papuanewguinea #villagelife #pngculture

This episode we take advantage of the weather and sail out to the Barrier, a remote and rarely visited reef system that surrounds the Louisiades and separates the lagoon from the open ocean. The abundance of life is mind blowing. We dive with turtles, sharks, eagle rays and what i would describe as a stampede of surgeon fish, more schooling together then I have ever seen before. I free dive through channels running underneath the diverse display of coral species. We return to the islands with more then our fair share for the upcoming village feast. 00:00 - Sailing to the Barrier Reef ⛵🌊 1:25 - Intro Video 🎬 1:53 - Our Location at the Barrier 📍🗺️ 2:43 - First Dive on the Reef 🤿🐠 4:12 - How to Pickle Vegetables 🥒🍶 5:30 - Epic Drone Flyover of the Reef 🚁🌅 5:52 - Second Dive with Pretty Spectacular Sea Creatures 🐡✨ 7:20 - How We Collect Rainwater on the Boat (Boat Life Tips) 💧🛥️ 9:13 - Spearfishing Adventures: Fish Swarms, Coral Tunnels & Trout Galore 🎣🐟🌊 12:26 - Our Biggest Catch of the Day Yet! 🏆🐠 🎥 Episode 8 – Sailing the Louisiades, Papua New Guinea 📍Location: Outer Barrier Reef, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea ☕ Support Our Journey ☞ https://buymeacoffee.com/onceuponareef Or 🎁 Send us a gift ☞ https://throne.com/onceuponareef 🌍 Follow us: 📸 INSTAGRAM: @onceuponareef & @wheres.poppy 💡 PATREON ☞ https://www.patreon.com/c/onceuponareef 🎥 Poppy's YouTube Channel ☞ https://www.youtube.com/wherespoppy 📧 BUSINESS INQUIRIES - onceuponareef@protonmail.com Hey there, we’re Ryan and Poppy, a couple of adventure junkie sailors out to explore the most amazing reefs and islands in the world. We hope by documenting everything this lifestyle encompasses, we will inspire, raise awareness and support on going research to do our part in protecting these natural life systems. Subscribe if you’re on board! #onceuponareef #barrierreef #thelouisiades #papuanewguinea