Ambua Lodge, Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea

Advantages: Brilliant experience, unforgettable taste of a culture very different from my own.
Disadvantages: High crime rate in the capital city.

...If you are looking for an intense cultural experience, a taste of a world very different from your own, you can't go past a visit to Papua New Guinea. From the dense tropical rain forests of the highlands to the beautiful palm fringed islands, it is a land whose natural beauty is only surpassed by the variety and colour of the people who live there. I lived in Papua New Guinea for about six months a few years ago, and I have to say out of all my travels this is the place that affected me the most. I mainly stayed in a little group of islands called the Trobriands, in the Milne Bay Province. 'The Trobes' (as they are affectionately known as) are gorgeous - picture the most idyllic island paradise you can think of and you'll be pretty close. Altogether they have a population of less than 30,000 people, and at the time I was there only... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Stunningly beautiful, friendly English speaking people
Disadvantages: Dangerous, unless you follow stringent rules.

...) a beautiful little zoo with many birds and marsupials who were lovingly cared for gave the place a magic romantic atmosphere - pity I was on my own but I made several friends, including local businessmen and their wives who would bring their families there on a regular basis at weekends. This place for sure was safe. In the evening there was a (Saturdays only) dance display by local villagers from a neighbouring island who always rowed over and back for the event.(see photo) Many guests arrived by helicopter which could be chartered from the nearby Port Moresby airport.I didn't enquire the price, but I should image that by comparison it wasn't ridiculously expensive, especially if the cost was split four ways. I had the opportunity once to transit through Mount Hagen, the highlands capital which was apparently beautiful but now is very dangerous... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Breathtaking country!
Disadvantages: Rascals, unemployment, thieving

...I spent 16 years in one of the most beautiful countries of the world and although I loved living there I wouldnt recommend it as a tourist destination. Papua New Guinea is an island located north of Australia. Half of the island belongs to Indonesia and is called Irian Jaya. The other half is Papua New Guinea. Within PNG there are 2 distinct areas - the coast and the highlands. The coast is your typical island paradise. The highlands are a little more primative and saw their first white man less than 100 years ago. Having grown up in PNG I was well aware of the crime and how to deal with things. Only too often I saw tourists (or terrorists as we called them :) ) being ripped off, having passports, cameras and anything else of value stolen. Crime in PNG is rampant! As a resident, there are places that you wouldnt go and things that you... Read review

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