Papua, New Guinea - A Wild And Crazy Destination
Papua, New Guinea is one of the most remote, unique and wildest destinations in the entire world. The geography is diverse with mountains running the entire length creating high plateaus, dense rainforests, extensive areas that still have not been completely explored, and the famed Sepik River which accounts for its poor roads. The Island itself is split down the middle with Irian Jaya (Malaysian) on the West and Papua on the East.
It is not an easy country to get around on your own, there are few accommodations outside of Port Moresby and is difficult to get around. There is a tremendous amount of crime throughout the country and by now, you are probably asking the question..."Why would anyone in their right mind want to go there?"...
Because...its geographic and ethnological diversity is what makes New Guinea a magnet. It is the only country in the South Pacific still inhabited by primitive and complex people, along with many undiscovered species of plants and anmals. I started looking at brochures filled with photos of the Huli wigmen and their painted faces, Sepik men who practice scarification and headdresses...and thought...well...why not...
Before even mentioning this destination to ex-Marine (husband, Steve), my travel agent and I did some very extensive research. There is only one way to do it...with packaged tours. Many brochures later, I had winnowed it down to Trans-Nuigini, the best, and almost the only one, that had what I wanted....a 10 day, 9 night potpourri, that included several days crusing the Sepik River on the Sepik Spirit, and the Highlands of New Guinea, with a few hotel stays thrown in. NOW, I showed ex-Marine what the plans were and his extremely selective memory instantly kicked in......"Isn't that where Michael Rockefeller disappeared and was probably eaten by cannibals?...and isn't that where the Japanese and Australians battled during World War II?...and wasn't that Amelia Earhart's last stop before she disappeared?" (It is always amazing what he remembers.)
After a few weeks of ranting and raving while I explained, persuaded and cajoled, telling about the different cultural groups of people that included the famous Huli People of the Highlands that paint themselves and dress up in feathers and animals skins (somehow, I don't think this fact was reassuring to him), primitive wood carvings, the cruise, and "safety" discussions, and the fact that no tourist has been killed or eaten lately, he caved...
Save $75 with Travelocity Last Minute Deals
