Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea - consists of over 600 islands and lies within the middle on the extended chain of islands stretching from mainland South-East Asia. It's situated in the South Pacific, 160km (100 miles) north of Australia. A line of active volcanoes stretches along the north coast in the mainland and continues over a island of New Britain.

Culture - You'll find four regional, cultural and political groups: Papuans (from the south), Highlanders, New Guineans (from the north) and Islanders. Some authorities divide the people into Papuans (predominantly descended within the original arrivals) and Melanesians (more closely related towards peoples from the Pacific), even though some men and women (particularly those in outlying islands) are closer to being pure Polynesian or Micronesian. The dividing lines in between these definitions is incredibly hazy. You can find over 750 languages in Papua New Guinea (350-450 inter-related).

Events - Every on the 20 provinces of Papua New Guinea has its personal provincial government day that are good opportunities to enjoy sing sings (traditional ceremonies and dances). Unfortunately, they are local affairs without the need of fixed schedules and information about their timing and whereabouts is usually only relayed by word-of-mouth. Shows and festivals are held on weekends, even though a provincial federal government day will normally fall over a Friday or Monday. A few of the events to glimpse out for include: Port Moresby Show (traditional and modern-day events; mid-June); Mt Hagen Show (a large gathering of clans with traditional dances and dress; late August); Independence Day (festivals and sing-sings celebrated nationwide; 16 September); and Malangan Festival (two-week festival including the famous tree-dancers; 16 September).

Warning - Papua New Guinea has been the subject of significant negative reportage - rapes, robberies, random violence - during the last decade, a lot of it unwarranted. Attention has normally focused on what is loosely termed the `rascal problem' which can include something from petty street crime to car hijacking. Though trouble is mostly confined to clans, some precautions ought to be taken. These include not wandering around late at night (especially in cities), dressing conservatively (this applies mainly to women), avoiding overt public displays of affection and concealing valuables. Most travellers recommend listening to local advice and, over all, generating close friends of the those who live inside the area you will be visiting. Of course, most in the difficulties plaguing PNG afflict other countries; the most advice is to merely use you head and take in reasonable care.

Activities - Considering the vast areas of mountainous terrain, in which the only way to get from village to village is to fly or walk, it's surprising that bushwalking in Papua New Guinea has not caught on the exact same way trekking has in the Himalayas. The best-known walking trail stands out as the Kokoda Trail, but their are literally hundreds of other alternatives mainly because the entire nation is criss-crossed by tracks. The most intriguing choices are arguably Lake Kopiago to Oksapmin, Mt Wilhelm to Madang and Wedau to Alotau. A couple of hundred individuals canoe down the Sepik each year, but you'll want to be fit, independent and well-equipped to tackle it. Foreign tour operators provide fabulous rafting down Papua New Guinea's turbulent mountain rivers, but their are no normal local operators yet.

Diving in Papua New Guinea is reputed to become as excellent since it is in the Caribbean and also the Good Barrier Reef. Major dive sites include Kavieng, Kimbe, Lae, Loengau, Madau, Milne Bay, Port Moresby and also the sublime Wuvulu Island. There's the possibility of excellent surf at Kavieng between November and February and close to Wewak from September to January. Good swimming beaches are bountiful.

Getting There & Away - Most targeted traffic arrive by air, particularly from Australia to Port Moresby, though you'll find direct connections with Singapore, Manila, Honiara (Solomon Islands), Jayapura (Irian Jaya, Indonesia) and Guam. Air Niugini, the national airline, operates between Australia and Asia (in conjunction with Singapore Airlines). Port Moresby is the largest international gateway but there has been talk of opening one more international airport. The departure tax is K15; should you overstay your visa, expect to pay a heavy fine ahead of becoming allowed on the plane. Arriving or departing by sea is virtually an impossibility unless on a cruise ship or a yacht (the best places in PNG to discover a berth are Port Moresby, Madang and Milne Bay).

Getting Around - Geographical realities - a modest and scattered population that is usually isolated in mountain valleys and on small islands - means flying is often a necessity. Unfortunately, it also techniques it is expensive. The primary carrier is Air Niugini, with Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) the largest of the small operators. (And remember that Air Niugini can not fly everywhere, its planes are far too large for many strips.) Bookings are extremely efficient as most systems are computerised. If travelling on any of Air Niugini's domestic flights, you ought to check-in an hour in advance otherwise booked seats are going to be given to passengers on waiting lists.

The network of roads on the region remains limited but Public Motor Vehicle (PMVs) are always at your beck and call. Essentially modified Japanese minibuses, PMVs are a cheap form of transport and pick up and drop off individuals at any factor along a pre-established route. Driving a car during the nation (left side with the road please) requires a valid overseas licence but be forewarned: tribal paybacks have meant some drivers were killed by an accident victim's relatives. Some authorities suggest that should you are involved in an accident, retain driving and report the incident at the nearest police station. The major car rental companies (Avis, Budget and Hertz) are observed in most main centres but as a result of the limited road network you won't get too far. Costs are also high.

A good type of transport is boat. Passenger ships, freighters, charters, outboard dinghies and canoe are cheap, though sometimes uncomfortable. Likely probably the most way to travel inside PNG is to walk; your only real expense will probably be paying for guides and porters.