The task was easy. Out of the 15 countries we visited on this trip, five stood out the most.

Read the article to see which ones.

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The Highlands of Papua New Guinea is where you can see the most colourful variety of tribal ceremonies. Though the country is embracing Western ways, they keep old rituals alive for the festivals.

We asked a local to show us how to chew betel nut, enjoyed and spat out by people everywhere in Papua New Guinea. The experience was little more intense than we expected.

In one of the least-traveled islands of Papua New Guinea, you can find virginal beaches, expert-grade diving and surfing, back-flip into an emerald river, and feed a class of friendly eels.

But you can also sleep in a traditional village hut and watch tribal performances by the enigmatic Skeleton Men.

Here are some of our favourite sights from out visit. Click the thumbnails to see the photo gallery, using the arrows to advance.

For further information, contact owner Vincent Andambo:
aviorchidgarden@yahoo.com
Phone: 7218 6497 or 7218 6498
P.O. Box 1004 Mount Hagen, PNG

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We went up PNG’s second-highest mountain expecting a straightforward camping trip. What we found was the most challenging and rewarding bush walk of our lives.

The Highlands of PNG is the farming heartland of the country, where produce is grown and flown to the coastal zones.

Here’s a quick look at how Highlanders grow and prepare their food.

Papua New Guinea’s capital can be stressful and intimidating. Here’s what you need to know.

Two years ago, Rob traded a comfortable and predictable existence in Australia for adventure in a wild neighbouring country. In exchange for a contract in an auto service firm and many expenses paid, Rob came to put some order in the corporate mess of PNG. His job: manage the locals who lower their heads to the white man but whom, according to him, steal tools and supplies when no one is looking.

A lot has happened since Rob’s first three months, when all he wanted was to go home. “I suffered a lot at first,” he said. “But my Australian friends are still stuck in the same routines, drinking the same beer, talking about the same things. When I come home it’s hard to get into their flow. Coming here gave me a vision of the world that I would have never acquired if I stayed at home.”

Rob’s gratitude is understandable, but I must admit, admirable. It’s one thing to leave Brazil in search of a more comfortable life, be in in Canada, England or Australia. It’s another thing entirely to leave Australia for Port Moresby.

Violence, cholera, stifling hear, inexistent leisure spaces, vegetables that cost as much as Swiss chocolate, Swiss chocolate that costs its weight in gold, filthy beaches, exorbitantly expensive internet… That’s Port Moresby, and so much more, Rob relates.

“Everyone born here has a sad story to tell. But this country grows on you. I like the social life with the expat community. I took some great trips and met incredible people. Not to mention Couchsurfing, which really opened my mind.”

And we were two lucky ones to enter this country via his safe harbour.

Rob was like a godfather from the first minute, when he picked us from the airport on a Monday morning. When he took us sailing at the city’s yacht club, we saw the city at sunset from far away with a cool breeze on our faces. For the first time, Port Moresby looked nice.

When Brazil played its first World Cup game, his neighbour opened his door at 3 am so we could watch the match on a large screen. Like a good Australian, Rob is mad about rugby (and could care less for soccer), but he woke up to watch with us. And the next day he moved his TV from his bedroom to the living room so we wouldn’t miss a game.

Rob enjoyed our travel stories like a dedicated father who cheers at his children’s joy. But we we also took turns at beige parental, cooking almost every night and preparing his lunch bags for the next day, moments, that according to him, were the most precious.

And you, do you still insist on staying in hotels? You don’t know what you’re missing.

We had cone to PNG on a whim, eager to see a nation unspoiled by mass tourism. But we didn’t have a clue where to start. Most travel literature focuses on high-end tours and resorts, catering to those willing to pay top dollar for great diving, surfing, and trekking.

Hoping to find a backpacker’s alternative, we met Taita Terrence at the Authority’s downtown office. She was taken aback when we told her we’re from Canada, as though she was receiving a surprise visit from the Holy See.

She spent one hour with us. She listened to what we were looking for (culture, visits to highland villages, some coast) and said she would canvass her network of local providers around the country.

The next day, she gave us two contacts. The first is in Mt. Hagen, up in the highlands, who would guide us to different villages and have us spend the night with local families. The other is in Kavieng, the largest city in the island of New Ireland, who owns a guesthouse with dorms for 25 kina (convert this) a night.

Thanks to her, we will be able to have a rich experience in PNG at a minimal cost (not counting air travel within the country, which is quite pricey).

We were totally pleased by their attention, and recommend them to anyone considering PNG in their travels.

Their offices are located at
Pacific MMI Building, Level 5

PO Box 1291 Port Moresby
Phone: +675 320-0211