Any Travels

A country that was known to the Europeans from as early as 16th century, modern developments and relations with the outer world are rather recent phenomena in Papua New Guinea. Contacts with the outside world is still peripheral in many places. Most of the interior region of the country is inaccessible by roads and flying or trekking are the only way to reach these places.

The phenomenon of great seclusion has in someway helped in preserving the variety, traditions, and lifestyles of its people. The people here speak more than 700 different languages, and you won’t fail to notice this once you arrive in Papua New Guinea. It has a terrain that makes remarkable impression with its diversity, which ranges from high-rise mountains to coral reefs to palm-fringed, white-sand beaches. An average Guinese consider himself more of the Pacific than of Asia.

As the development is limited and options for getting high-quality services few, most of the day-to-day necessities come for a higher price than usual. 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.

The Islands of Papua New Guinea are divided into four Groups:

MANUS ISLAND

A distant island group to the northwest of the mainland, Manus Island can be reached by air or coastal cargo ship. For enthusiastic scuba divers, this island group is hailed as having some of the best diving in the world with visibility up to 100 metres or more. Giant Orca whales swim off the Wuvalu Islands where the sea abounds in turtles, dugongs and other marine mammals. As well, relics of sunken ships and aeroplanes are scattered throughout the coastal beaches.

Manus Island has vast tracts of forests in the central range and the dancing by the locals is erotic and majestic, depicting a life of openness and joy.

EAST AND WEST NEW BRITAIN

Rabaul in East New Britain has an ancient gigantic volcano crater and provides the perfect circle of Simpson Harbour. Prior to the volcanic eruption the town of Rabaul retained an air of somnolent tranquillity. Life is slow as one meanders along the roads that lead to the various plantations that dot the coastline.

The fertile volcanic soil proves ideal for growing anything in this tropical haven, so it is not uncommon to see giant red paw paws, long mangoes and Asian fruits like rambutan. Rabaul boasts the nation's best market with abundant garden food, and turquoise waters beckon the visitor to explore the ocean, while various boat charters are available for hire.

The volcanic eruption that destroyed Rabaul in 1994 also buried forever the graves of scores of Japanese war criminals executed for mistreating or murdering allied soldiers and civilians. The exact location of their graves has never been revealed and now will most likely never be known.

A line divides East from West New Britain, yet they share the same turquoise ocean dotted with reef-fringed atolls, magnificent rainforests plunging into white sandy beaches and lush plantations which hug the coastline

In West New Britain, you can follow the road to Williams Peninsular and find bubbling hot thermal springs and mud-holes. On the inland lake, fishing expeditions are led to catch fresh water barramundi and bass.

NEW IRELAND

This is an island paradise of white sandy beaches, clear springs and rivers and soaring mountains that run the entire length of the island. A road links north to south and is made from crushed coral. Travel is easier by boat and the interesting Malangan culture in the northern and central part of the island is unique within the Pacific.

Sorcery, shark calling, surfing and gourmet seafood including coconut crabs, crayfish, reef-fish and unpolluted shellfish make New Ireland and its outer island an escapist dream.

NORTH SOLOMONS

This province comprises both Buka Island and Bougainville Island, as well as hundreds of smaller islets, cays and atolls. Boating enthusiasts find this a marine wonderland with untouched reefs to explore and and everlasting supply of reef fish and shellfish.

Buka Island is accessible by boat and plane from Rabaul and has a small guest lodge in town. Walkiong through village tracks and plantation roads is the best way to discover the flora.

Traditionally, visitors to Buka Island had their feet washed before they stepped onto the shores by village maidens who greeted them with bowls of flowers and scented water. It was believed that by washing the feet, evil and spiritual pollution was prevented from entering the sacred land.

Culture

There are 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 from the original arrivals) and Melanesians (more closely related to the peoples of the southwest Pacific), though some people (particularly those in outlying islands) are closer to being pure Polynesian or Micronesian. The dividing lines between these definitions is very hazy.

There are over 750 languages in PNG (representing about one third of the world's indigenous languages). This dizzying array has brought about the need for a lingua franca, and Pidgin (or Neo-Melanesian) has gained in importance and prestige in recent years and is great fun to learn. Borrowing words from many languages, it is primarily derived from English and German, but only covers about 1300 words. Many educated people would, however, prefer that you speak in English because Pidgin is seen as the vulgate of the bullying expatriate. Another popular language is Motu (or 'Police Motu'), the local second language of the Port Moresby coastal area.

The Christian church has been extraordinarily influential throughout PNG with most Papua New Guineans regarding themselves as Christians (the largest denominations are Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and United). Pantheistic beliefs are also widespread and traditional rituals are integral to Papuan culture. For example, people who live in danger of crocodile attacks are likely to give crocodiles an important role in their culture, while farming communities often place much emphasis on the weather, accordingly celebrating fertility and harvest. Placating the spirits of ancestors is a dominant theme in traditional beliefs, while the fear of practices such as sorcery and witchcraft is also widespread.

security
be very careful, if female stay inside after dark, lock your doors and never go ANYWHERE alone.