PNG or Bust

Papua New Guinea is the eastern part of Indonesia's main island. It's close to the northern coast of Australia.
We'll be flying into Port Moresby and then to Lae. From there we'll boat to Bau village.

[lonely planet's remarks with a little of my synthesis]
PNG is a raw land, remarkably untamed and as variegated as swamp and jagged limestone; mud and moss forest; suffocating heat and Highland chill; plumed, pearl-shelled villagers and prosaic hill people; tiny tree kangaroos and enormous Queen Alexandra Birdwing butterflies.

The country attracts bad press, and although much of it is scare-mongering, it is wise to remember that PNG is subject to the same problems - urban unemployment, a rising crime rate and environmental exploitation - facing many emerging nations.

Remember also that the tourist infrastructure of PNG is only in its infancy and that accommodation can be expensive, transportation limited and the food uninspiring. This is a destination for travellers who care more for the untramelled adventure than for home comforts.

The Highlands were thought to be uninhabited until gold miners ventured up from the coast in the 1930s and discovered 100,000 people living Stone Age-style and unaware of the outside world. The countryside is dramatic with wide, fertile valleys, numerous rivers and craggy mountains. Many communities in PNG evolved simutaneously, but due to the rugged terrain remained isolated from one another.

This is one reason why there are over 750 languages in PNG (representing about one third of the world's indigenous languages). This dizzying array has brought about the need for a lingua franca, and Pidgin (or Neo-Melanesian) has gained in importance and prestige in recent years and is great fun to learn.

Just stumbled upon a popular son of papua new guinea online. he's a famous musician. you should listen to the story which has some really interesting music and strange anecdotes. To listen, click here.
To read, click here.

Look at me go...changing colors, making links, screwing with fonts. i'm actually learning a whole bunch about HTML code and web design by keeping up with this journal. Score.