Traveling to Papua New Guinea
 

My husband and I will be traveling to Papua New Guinea this August. If anyone has gone there, I'd love to have your impressions of the place and any useful advice. Thanks

Jackie, were are you from? Me and my wife are travelling to PNG too at this time. Where do you dare to go too? Do you visit a festival?

I was in PNG 18 months ago. I loved it. I went to Port Moresby and Lae. The friend I travelled with lived there for 3 years in the early 1970s. She lived on the coast at Wewak and travelled a lot to the Highlands. There is a terrific festival in the highlands - in November I think - where to take a boat up the river and see a wonderful Sing-Sing. There are Sing-Sings at different times in different places - it's where the different tribes come together and perform their tribal dances etc. Another time there's a great Sing-Sing is at Mount Hagen Show. Again, I'm not sure what time of the hear this is. It would be worth contacting the Papua-New Guinea Embassy in your capital city as they could tell you these dates and other details. A word of warning - we were there during national curfew because of violence. That's not on any longer, but you still do have to be a bit careful but no more so than in many other places. Just watch your wallet etc. and don't wear jewellry etc. Basic commonsense in other words! But go. It's very beautiful and has wonderful scenery and wildlife. It doesn't have lots of tourist hype and is simple and unpretentious. It also needs all the tourist dollars it can get. I envy you. I'd go back tomorrow! Have a great time. Cheers, Lesley.

Sorry I didn't get back to you before now. We will be in Papua New Guinea from August 10 to Aug. 24. We'll be on tour with a group from Victoria Travel out of California. We'll be visiting Port Moresby, Tari, Wabag, taking a Sepik River cruise to Karawari, Mr. Hagan for the Highlands Show and back to Port Moresby. Where are you leaving from, and are you on tour? Hope we both have a great time. Jackie

Hi Jackie, <BR>we are leaving from Austria, not Australia, are staying in PNG for about 4 weeks starting on July 26, but we are organizing the whole trip on our own. <BR>I assume that you will be in Mt. Hagen from <BR>August 20 to 22 for the festival like we do. <BR> <BR>Have a great time too! <BR>Regards <BR> <BR>Peter <BR>

I am always amazed at the number of people who have more money than common sense. When I left New Guinea at the close of the war, I counted my blessings. Half of our outfit remained behind in graves. Half were killed by the Japanese and the other half to malaria, blackwater fever, dengue, leeches, and tropical yaws. Why on earth anyone in their right mind would want to visit that pesthole is beyond my understanding.

In January we went with our 5 year old daughter and had a fantastic time. We did the Karawari River cuise, not the Sepik. Great handicrafts to buy, and if you see something you like buy it right away because chances are you won't see it again. Be aware that things are resonable but not dirt cheap. Mosquitos were terrible, bring long sleeves and pants. Bring loads of film as well!! Enjoy, don't let Mr. Negative above sway your decision!