Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea Travel, Papua New Guinea Tourism, Holiday in Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea Vacations, tour to Papua New Guinea.

Introduction

When you arrive at Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea, the first impression would be of any developing modern city trying to cope up with growth and expansion. Make a trip inside the countryside and you will find that Papua New Guinea is still a Lost World, unspoilt and breathtakingly beautiful. A country, which is known to the Europeans from as early as 16th century, modern developments and relations with the outer world are rather recent phenomenon. Most of interior of the country is inaccessible by any overland means and flying or trekking are the only way to reach these places. As the development is limited and options for getting high quality services few, most of the tourists necessities come for a higher price than usual here. Before venturing out, remember that the country is still facing many problems on the political front and crime rate is high warranting adequate security precautions.

What to do
Forget about nightlife, swanky hotels, and multicuisine restaurants, if you are planning to visit Papua New Guinea. Don't look for broad all-weather roads and grand parties, the interior of this country is as much unspoiled and indifferent to the outside world as it can be. This also gives you an opportunity to participate in some unusual activities like going for trekking in the places still untouched by human presence, appreciating the amazing variety of wildlife in the rainforests, and sightseeing dominant European architecture of larger towns. Try to make as many friends as possible and see how you are discovering a new facet of the country everyday.

City at a Glance

Latitude 14ºS

Longitude 141º16E

Area 462,840 Sq Km

Population 3,761,954

Language Pidgin, Motu, and 750 other indigenous languages

Religion Christianity, Others

Telephone Code 00 675

History

Majority of the New Guineans are Melanesians who moved to this place from Asia around 50,000 years ago. The islanders lived unchanged life until the early part of 16th century when Jorge de Menses, a Portuguese explorer, landed on the northwest coast and named it the island Ilhas dos Papuas. For a long time the regions remained uninfluenced by the westerners but the time were about to change in 19th century. Dutch claimed their influence over the western half of the country in 1824, while Germany claimed the northern part in 1884. Britain claimed the eastern half (present PNG) just after three days, completing the trifurcation of the region. In 1906, after the independence of Australia, the British Guinea went under the administration of Australia and was named as Papua New Guinea. During the Second World War, Australia promptly seized the control of German Guinea and in 1963, Indonesia claimed control of Dutch region naming it Irian Jaya. Papua New Guinea gained its independence in 1975 from Australia, but its troubles did not ended there. Habitants of Bougainville Island who consider themselves as different from the mainlanders rebelled in 1989 claiming thousands of lives and making many homeless. The problems have still not ended though the intensity has decreased substantially.

Weather and Best Season to Visit
Climate is the single most important reason of deciding the time to visit this country. There is not much temperature variations in this country with average daily coastal range fluctuating between 21ºC to 32ºC. Humidity is high most time of the year ranging between 70% and 88%. December to March is the wet season and you would certainly like to defer your visit during this time. Dry season from May to October receives little rain and has high levels of humidity. As there are certain variations in rain during other times of the year at different places plan your trip accordingly.

Attractions
Port Moresby
Capital of Papua New Guinea is also the major entry and exit point in the country. This is a sprawling city with a population of around 300,00. It is a superb natural harbour situated in the southeast corner of the country. It has got some good attractions like National Museum; New Parliament built in traditional Sepik "haus tambaran" or Spirit House style. In the city limits are modern university campus and National Botanical Garden. Every Friday, you can go to Moitaka Wildlife Sanctuary with its crocodile farm. At a distance of around 50 km from the town is Sogeri Plateau with many interesting walks in the tropical rainforests. Other interesting sites around the city are Varirata National Park and Loloata Island.

Madang
With its lagoon, tiny islands, and north coast drive through amazing length of coconut plantations, Madang Province is a perfect example of relaxed Pacific outlook. Madang town is described by some as the prettiest place in Pacific and not without reasons. It is full of parks, ponds, waterways, snorkeling and scuba diving options, and perhaps one of the best accommodation options in Papua New Guinea. Volcanic islands are another attractions of Madang, some of which are still very active.

Rabaul
With its lagoon, tiny islands, and north coast drive through amazing length of coconut plantations, Madang Province is a perfect example of relaxed Pacific outlook. Madang town is described by some as the prettiest place in Pacific and not without reasons. It is full of parks, ponds, waterways, snorkeling and scuba diving options, and perhaps one of the best accommodation options in Papua New Guinea. Volcanic islands are another attractions of Madang, some of which are still very active. Situated in East New Britain and considered by many as the Pearl of Pacific, this place suffers a lot because of a series of volcanic eruptions. It is a charming harbor town with a great character. Duke of York Islands nearby provides a good excursion trip from Rabaul.

The Highlands
Situated in the range of 2500 meters above sea level, the Highlands offer breathtaking views, a pleasant climate and the opportunity to meet an energetic and outgoing people whose contact with Western ways is not very old. Some of the good options in this region are Lae – The second largest city of Papua New Guinea, Markham Valley, and Goroka-a pleasant coffee town.

IMPORTANT FESTIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS
Every alternative year you can watch the Highlands Show at Goroka and Mount Hagen in August/September. Hiri Moale and the Agricultural Show are some of the other annual events that take place in Port Moresby. Other festivals include Frangipani and Warwagira festivals at Rabaul, Mabarosa Festival at Madang, Malangan Show at Kavieng and the Lae Agricultural Show. Lae also celebrates Lunar New Year with much enthusiasm.

AFTER HOURS
There is not much to enjoy in your after hours at this place. In Port Moresby, you can look for some good Chinese restaurants to dine. Some of the restaurants in the capital also provides for live music, only source of real entertainment that you can look for here.

Shopping
As the external interference is still minimal in the internal areas, you can bargain for a great range of handicrafts and other souvenirs in Papua New Guinea. Some of the notable souvenirs include basketwork from the islands, carvings from the north coast, tapa cloth from the northern province, woven articles from the highlands, and shells and pottery from the coast.

WHERE TO STAY
Papua New Guinea is not a place for budget travelers or for backpackers. Either you stay paying unreasonably high tariffs with getting negligible service or you don't pay anything and stay outside the city (in reality, you won't be getting any accommodation outside the good towns). There is no concept of inexpensive accommodation options though you can find some guesthouses in the villages run by the locals.

WHERE TO EAT

Like accommodation, eating too is costly affair until off course, you have decided to live on the barest minimum. Some of the good restaurants can be find in Port Moresby that specializes in Chinese (especially Szechuan) cuisine. Some restaurants specializing in Korean, Japanese, and European food can also be found in Port Moresby. It is difficult to find same level of food standards in other town of Papua New Guinea as they are at Port Moresby.

Travel Information
Air Travel Resources
More often than not, you would be arriving in Papua New Guinea from Australia and your gateway would be the capital city of Port Moresby. Another international airport has been made operational recently at Alotau. National airlines Air Niugini flies to Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong, and Vanimo in Indonesia.

Local Transport
Local buses are the most inexpensive service operating on the roads (not much are there) of Papua New Guinea. Cars can be hired from major car rental companies like Hertz, Budget, and Avis Rent a Car in any of the major towns. Roads do still not connect most of the country and walking is the only way up. Remember to have your own porter and guide with you if you are considering this option. The best way to travel around the country is by boats. These are a bit uncomfortable but inexpensive and extensively connected.