Monday, August 29, 2022

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Flag





Why visit Papua New Guinea?
Ideal for the well experienced international traveler seeking to a unspoiled destination to enjoy beaches, birdwatching, cave exploration, culture, dense jungles, hiking, kayaking, natural landscapes, rivers, saltwater fishing, scuba diving, trekking, unspoiled nature, volcanic mountains, whitewater rafting, wildlife, and wind sailing.


At a Glance
  • Souvenirs to Buy: Baskets, colorful fabrics, drums, handwoven string bags, masks, pottery, reed trays, shell goods, and wood carvings. 
  • Local Cuisine to Try: Dia (dessert). Kaukau (sweet potato). Kokoda (fish dish). Mumu (national dish). Sago (pancakes). Saksak (dumplings). 

Fun Facts
  • During its Gold Rush era (1852-1873) Milne Bay (Woodlark Island) gold was discovered ($500,000USD).
  • Amelia Mary Earhart (1897-1939), American Aviation Pioneer plane disappeared after takeoff from Lae Nadzab Airport (LAE).
  • Wuvulu Island was one of Jacques Cousteau (1910-1997), French Naval Officer favorite scuba diving sites.
  • Rugby is the most popular sport played.
  • Home to the largest orchid variations in the world.
  • Mount Wilhelm is the highest peak (14,793 ft).
  • Education is primarily provided by church institutions.
  • Ranks third largest island country in the world. 
  • One of the few regions near the equator to experience high altitude snowfall.
  • One of the most linguistically diverse countries with 839 known languages spoken.


Mount Wilhelm. Photo Credit: lloyd Pupaka/Pixabay 



Special Holidays/Occasions
  • Annual Events: (July) Mt Hagen Show, National Mask & Warwagira Festival, Tumbuan Mask Festival, (August) Crocodile Festival, Enga Cultural Show, Jiwaka Cultural Show, (September) Bougainville Chocolate Festival, Goroka Show, Frangipani Festival, Hiri Moale Festival, Morobe Province Agricultural Show, Sepik Crocodile Festival, Tufi Tapa Tattoo Festival, (November) Arts & Cultural Festival, and Kenu & Kundu Canoe Festival. 
  • Holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Queen's Birthday, Remembrance Day, Repentance Day, Independence Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

Good to Know
  • Domestic and international air tickets are very expensive.
  • Best visited on an escorted tour.
  • Crime is of concern.
  • Monsoon Season is December - March.
  • Has several active volcanoes.
  • Avoid traveling alone.
  • Higher inland elevation tends to be cooler.
  • Pack rain gear.
  • Carry your passport and Visa with you at all times.
  • Dress modestly.
  • Poor maintained vehicles.
  • Tipping is not customary.
  • Rainy Season is December - March.
  • Avoid public transport after dark.
  • Unexploded mines are known to exist throughout the island.
  • Mangrove swamps stretch along the coast.
  • Avoid public displays of affection.
  • Legal drinking age is 18.
  • Has only 1 hyperbaric recompression chamber in Port Moresby at (Jacksons International Airport). 
  • Illiteracy is an issue.
  • There is no rail service.
  • Healthcare and medical treatment is below our western standards.
  • Avoid isolated areas.
  • Tap water is not drinkable.
  • Prevalent Diseases: Chikungunya, Cholera, Dengue, HIV, Japanese Encephalitis, Leptospirosis, Malaria, Measles, Polio, Rickettsioses, Traveler’s Diarrhea, Tuberculosis, and Zika. 


Photo Credit:  ianknabel66/Pixabay 



This international destination requires:
  • A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
  • Tourist VISA required.
  • Required Vaccination from select countries. 
  • Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: 20,000PGK.

Subject to earthquakes, flash floods, high tides, humidity, landslides, monsoons, and tsunamis. 

  • Best Time to Visit: April - November
  • Coolest Month: June - September
  • Hottest Months: October - March
  • Peak Season: May - June & October

Your Must-See & Do
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Kuk


Photo Credit: Sally Wilson/Pixabay 



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                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.  

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