Sorry I've been MIA for a while, though as I'm about to go backpacking around Europe for 5 weeks I'm...
Sorry I've been MIA for a while, though as I'm about to go backpacking around Europe for 5 weeks I'm afraid it will be a little longer before I resume the 3 'R's! Hopefully I'll have loads of travel ops ready for when I get back... ;)
Member since:07.05.2001
Reviews:21
Members who trust:35
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 four houses on the main island had telephones. The majority of people cannot speak English or even Pidgin (the language used in most major cities), and it has only been within the past few decades that the people stopped wearing grass skirts and took to cheap t-shirts instead (though a lot of women still go around topless). The main diet includes yams, bananas, coconuts and freshly caught fish. As experiences of different cultures go, I have to say this definitely topped my list.
Sadly though, I have to say that my time spent in Port Moresby (the capital of Papua New Guinea) did not affect me in the same way. It is a very ugly, over-populated city, and the crime rate is continually rising. Unemployment rates are ridiculously high - something like 90%, which is why 'Rascals' (PNG term for criminals) abound. My advice is to spend as little time as possible in Port Moresby - preferably get a connecting flight the same day if you can.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
What a shame you did not write more detail - as yu no longer seem to post I guess you never will but if you do - please post me. It sounds fascinating and I would love to have learnt more.
pagan 08.05.2001 14:55
Very good first opinion, welcome to Ciao. I look forwward to reading about many more of your travels!
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
very helpful by (40%):
helpful by (60%):
