string(2290) "Port Moresby is home to 200,000 people, with 700 diverse languages and cultures. The town consists of a complex traditional society formed by historical bonds between the traditional land owners, the coastal Motuans and the inland Koitabu. Port Moresby fluctuates from the hustle of commercialisation to the serenity of a country town. Downtown at the waterside is the nostalgic Port Moresby. At the entrance of Fairfax Harbour are Lolorua and Daugo (Fishermen's) Islands, favourite picnic areas for sailors. Beautiful views from Paga Point overlook Ela Beach and Koki Point. Juxtaposed to the metropolis is the partly stilt-based Hanuabada Village. Burnt down after WWII, the big village was rebuilt by the Australian Administration. Despite cosmetic changes, the character of the village is still there and is renowned for elaborate ceremonies. Koki market on the waterfront is a favourite for trade in fresh seafood and has a colourful fruit and vegetable market. Be sure to visit PNG Arts and Beyond Art, to see PNG's largest collection of tribal artefacts. The National Parliament, a symbol of modern architecture, contrasts with the dignity of traditional design at The National Museum and Art Gallery. The first permanent display of local artefacts was established here in 1978 and is well worth a visit. Located on the slopes of Independence Hill at Waigani, it's open weekdays and Sunday afternoons. In September join in the celebrations of the Hiri Moale Festival to commemorate the historical trade between villagers around the Gulf Province and the Motuans and Koitabuans of Central Province. The festival features canoe races, processions, choirs, string bands, sing-sings and the Hiri Queen contest.The Sogeri Plateau (46 kilometres from Port Moresby) is where the Kokoda Trail became the centre of war between Japanese and Allied Troops during WWII. Variarata National Park is a spectacular mountain region, with views over Port Moresby and the coastline. If you get up early enough, you can catch the mist blanketing the ranges. Westbound from Port Moresby is the Hiritano Highway, connecting the city with Bereina, home of the Kairuku and Mekeo people. The Mekeos are renowned for their strong chieftain system and grand traditional costumes. "

string(3691) "Like an emerald glistening in a velvet blue jewel case, the green peaks of Guam emerge from the surrounding waters of the Western Pacific. Guam is the largest and most southern island in the Mariana Islands archipelago in the northern area of the Pacific Ocean, covering 34159 square kilometres and with a population of approximately 167,000 people. Situated approximately 2494 kilometres south of Japan and 6115 kilometres west of Hawaii, Guam has pristine beaches, championship golf courses, world-class diving and snorkelling. Visitors can experience a variety of cultural and historical sites, outdoor activities as well as recreational events. As the largest and most developed island in Micronesia, Guam serves as a transportation and communications hub and is the gateway to Micronesia, a region of 2000 islands and atolls spread over five million square kilometres of the Pacific. Guam is also America's airline link to Asia with an average flight time of around three hours to most Asian cities. The terrain of Guam is a startling contrast of limestone plateaus. The steep cliffs and narrow coastal shelves in the central and northern parts of the island are wonderful to observe. Volcanic hills range up to 204 metres which is the height of Mount Lamlam that is the tallest mountain in the world from below sea level as a result of Guam's proximity to the Mariana Trench. Southern Guam features lush jungles and quiet seaside villages. The central area of the island has all the modern conveniences of suburban living, with restaurants, bars, shopping centres and international class resort hotels fronting Tumon and Agana Bays. Guam's earliest settlers were the Chamorros who make up about 37 percent of the island population today. They are thought to have travelled by canoe from South-East Asia to the Mariana Islands, where they lived isolated from the rest of the world for centuries. The Chamorros flourished as an advanced fishing, horticultural, and hunting society and were skilled craftsmen who built unique houses and canoes well suited to this region of the world. They are also skilled in intricate weaving and detailed pottery making. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, the explorer sponsored by the Spanish court, arrived on Guam and forged a link between Spain and the Chamorros. The Spaniards' influence lasted more than 300 years until the island became a US Territory in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. The Japanese briefly occupied the island until 1944 when it was liberated by American forces. Today, even with modern suburban living, Guam still offers abundant natural beauty. The island is blessed by year-round balmy tropical weather and cooling trade winds. Stunning coral reefs and clear crystalline blue lagoons, teeming with colourful aquatic life ring Guam's white sand coastline. Its verdant interior is lush jungle with hidden waterfalls, rivers and volcanic ridges. Guam's natural offerings have something for everyone above and below water. There is fishing, hiking, golf, kite and windsurfing, parasailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, jet-skiing, dolphin watching and cultural tours to name but a few. History and geography have given Guam a vibrant cosmopolitan population. The charm and warmth of the people originates from the eclectic blend of Spanish, indigenous Chamorro, Asian and Western cultures. The mix of East, West and Pacific traditions and cultures is evident and is infused in the arts and crafts, language, and especially the food of this island nation. Guam is truly an undiscovered Pacific gem and deserves to be shortlisted as one of your next holiday destinations. "

string(3566) "The Coral Coast is 80 kilometres of fringing reefs and beaches on the sheltered southern side of Viti Levu about halfway between Nadi and Suva. The region is named for its stretch of fringing coral reef that hugs this coastline making it an excellent place to snorkel off the beach. The temperate climate and great variety of accommodationfrom self- contained ‘bure' cottages to international five-star resorts make it a popular tourist retreat. The resorts offer great recreational facilities, restaurants and cultural performances while the pristine waters and reefs create an underwater paradise for snorkelling and diving. You can throw in a line with the locals or take out a charter vessel for game fishing. There are great places to surf at Fiji Beachouse, Hideaway Resort and Natadola beach - the latter of which is arguably the best beach on the island and a great place to learn to surf. Also at Natadola is the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course. For those wanting to take in some nature, history and culture, visit the Sigatoka Sand Dunes national park where shifting sands and archaeological digs continue to reveal skeletons and pottery artefacts. Fiji's only wildlife park, the Kula Wild Adventure Park in Korotogo displays rarely seen indigenous species such as the banded iguana and Fiji peregrine falcon. Head for the hills into the beautiful Sigatoka Valley, aptly named The Salad Bowl of Fiji, a colourful patchwork of agricultural fields, Fijian villages, Indian settlements, temples and volcanic hills. It offers spectacular scenery and a fascinating history of the Tongan tribes who were the last to resist Christianity. Sigatoka River Safari jetboat and cave tours into the valley villages are very popular. At Tavuni Hillfort near Sigatoka Town you can walk amongst the ruins of an ancient hill fort built during a period of tribal warfare. Sigatoka River Safari's cave tour takes you inland to Naihehe Caves to see the spectacular rock formations and remnants of where people took shelter in the past. There is also a waterfall tour at Biausevu Village where you can learn about plant medicines on a rainforest trek, participate in a welcoming kava ceremony with a village chief and swim in a beautiful tropical waterfall. Robinson Crusoe Island near Natadola is fringed with white sandy beaches and offers great snorkelling and Pacific Island entertainment. In the bustling town of Sigatoka, locals and tourists blend when eating, shopping and socialising. Farmers barter their wares in the central marketplace and there are duty free shops, supermarkets, tailors, bars and cafes. There are quaint roadside markets right along the Coral Coast stretch, so even those just driving through will be able to enjoy this lovely area. PACIFIC HARBOUR & BEQA LAGOON This region, around 30 kilometres west of Suva, is distinct from the Coral Coast and renowned for its adventure type activities. Thus renowned as the Adventure Capital, this region is famous for activities such as the world-class shark dive at Shark Reef, great scuba diving in the Beqa lagoon, zip-lining, off-road buggy rides, white-water rafting in the Upper Navua Gorge, river tubing and world-class surf at the Frigates offshore surf break. Pacific Harbour was originally established in the 1970s as a recreation oriented, residential community as well as a resort area. Not too far from Pacific Harbour is the legendary Beqa Island, home of the Fijian firewalkers who perform their ceremonies at several major Fijian hotels and resorts. "

string(3388) "The Sepik is an immense, lush, grassland reserve, surrounded by one of the world's greatest river systems, running 1126 kilometres from its origins high in the mountains to the sea. The people along the river depend heavily on it for transportation, water and food. Their cultural links with the Sepik River are symbolised in many of their ancient and spiritual rituals, such as the manhood initiation. This requires painful carving of flesh on the backs of young men with razor blades. Patterns are that of a crocodile lying on the banks of the river. The history of the Sepik region reflects the influence over the years of the missionaries, traders, labour recruiters and administrators. Here river and crocodiles, man and nature have learned to live in mutual respect. Parts of the Highlands remain untouched just as they were when first ‘discovered' in 1933. The people are hardy and village life depends on subsistence farming. Visitors will be fascinated by the bright ochre colours and two-metre high head-dresses swathed in plumes of the Bird of Paradise worn by the tribal elders. Dancing is proud and fierce at traditional sing-sings, with drums beating long into the night. The Eastern Highlands Province is a one-hour flight north from Port Moresby or half an hour from Lae or Mt Hagen. Once there, you are surrounded by steep, rugged mountains covered in dense rainforest graduating to sub-alpine vegetation. The valleys are blanketed in grass and the panoramic views contain every imaginable shade of green. Altitude varies from 600 metres in the south to Mt Michael's 2750 metre summit. Goroka, the largest town and capital, lies at 1600 metres above sea level. The Sepik River has no actual river delta and stains the sea brown for up to 50 kilometres. It is said that islanders off the coast can draw fresh water straight from the sea. The Sepik River is navigable for almost its entire length and winding its way through the land it resembles a huge, brown, coiling serpent. The force of the river tears great chunks of mud and vegetation out of the river banks and at times these drift downstream and appear as floating islands. You can cruise the middle Sepik aboard the quaint Sepik Spirit, a slow house-boat. In addition, Kilibobo Spirit is available primarily for charter, though it doesn't have a schedule. On special occasions the ship operates expeditionary cruises to the Sepik and the PNG Islands. West Sepik or Sandaun Province is near the West Papua (Irian Jaya) border and is inhospitable terrain. It is home to the Upper Sepik people who move around in long, narrow dugout canoes. Travel is always difficult as there are no roads and the rivers are narrow. The centres are Vanimo and Amanab and villages around here have strong religious beliefs centred on deities that are believed to hold supernatural powers that are vital for survival in this remote and dense countryside. East Sepik is the middle and lower region from Angoram to Wewak town. There are a number of large rubber and cocoa plantations along the river flats. Wewak is an attractive palm-fringed town, which felt the might of Japanese troops who ‘discovered' its isolation and its hidden ports around Kairiuru Island. Many war memories remain around the plantations and a Japanese gun still points from the eastern end of the island. "

string(3016) "The fourth largest and the oldest of the Hawaiian islands, Kaua'i is about 888 kilometres square in area, formed from one massive volcano of which Mt Waialeale forms the eastern rim. The main road circles the coastline with the exception of a 24-kilometre stretch at the north shore cliffs which is inaccessible. When Captain Cook came ashore in January 1778 he was received as a god. Today, visitors to this beautiful island of gardens and rainbows are greeted in much the same friendly way. Lihue, the capital of Kaua'i, still has few buildings taller than a coconut tree. Yet the island offers visitors all the ingredients for a perfect holiday including luxury accommodation, gourmet cuisine, a host of watersports and activities including world-class golf. Po`ipu, a leisurely 30 minutes by car south of Lihue, has been called Kauai's playground, with its pristine beaches protected by a necklace of offshore reefs. Just one kilometre from the resort area is sailing, diving, deep sea fishing and daily boat tours from Kukuiula Harbour. At nearby Spouting Horn, a turbulent wave action causes surf to shoot through a lava tube and out a hole in the coastal rock. This geyser sometimes reaches heights of 18 metres and more. On the west side of Kaua'i you'll find what Mark Twain called the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific', Waimea Canyon, 1097 metres deep in parts, with red and green vistas punctuated by waterfalls. North from Lihue you can stop off to take a ride on one of the flat-bottom river boats that takes you to the Fern Grotto. Further north past the Coconut Coast you pass by the turnoff to The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge which shelters thousands of seabirds. Near Princeville and Hanalei, made famous by the song Puff the Magic Dragon, is Ke`e Beach. Close by are the wet and dry caves, prominent in ancient Hawai'ian myth and the start of the 17 kilometres Kalalau hiking trail. Further south is Lumahai Beach the famous nurse's beach in the movie South Pacific. On the island's north shore the scenery runs riot, grey mists hang over the sheer Napali cliffs, waterfalls tumble into deep valleys. Much of this region and the island's interior cannot be reached by road, so a helicopter or fixed wing plane tour can give you a perspective otherwise unobtainable. Kaua'i is called the Garden Island with good reason. The National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Lawai Valley and the Allerton Estate Gardens, as well as the Limahuli Gardens in the north, are among the major attractions that showcase nature at her best. Kaua'i's diverse scenery has lured filmmakers to her shores for decades and such classics as Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark and of course, South Pacific mean visitors can occasionally experience déjà vu. Also Kaua'i is very popular with practitioners of the healing arts giving it the reputation of being a special place for those seeking rejuvenation and relaxation combined with a taste of traditional local culture. "

string(4098) "Exploring Yap, Micronesia: A Journey Through Time and Tradition Nestled in the western Pacific Ocean, Yap is one of the four states that comprise the Federated States of Micronesia. Renowned for its rich cultural heritage, pristine natural landscapes, and unique traditions, Yap offers travelers an authentic and immersive experience in the heart of Micronesia. Geography and Climate Yap consists of four main islands—Yap Proper—and numerous smaller islets and atolls spread across a vast expanse of the Pacific. The main islands are interconnected by bridges and causeways, surrounded by a protective barrier reef that fosters vibrant marine life. The climate is tropical, with warm temperatures year-round and a rainy season typically from May to November. Cultural Heritage Stone Money (Rai) One of Yap's most iconic symbols is its stone money, known locally as Rai. These large, circular limestone discs, some measuring up to 12 feet in diameter, have been used for centuries in traditional transactions and ceremonies. Scattered throughout the island, these stones serve as a testament to Yap's enduring customs and social structures. Traditional Navigation Yapese people are master navigators, with a storied history of seafaring using the stars, winds, and ocean currents. This ancient knowledge is still taught and practiced, preserving skills that have been passed down through generations. Cultural Practices Traditional dances, ceremonies, and crafts are integral to Yapese life. Villages often feature men's houses (faluw), which are central to community gatherings and cultural preservation. Attractions and Activities Diving and Snorkeling Yap is a world-class destination for diving enthusiasts. The island's clear waters and diverse marine ecosystems offer exceptional diving experiences. Manta Ray Bay is particularly famous for its resident population of manta rays, which can be observed year-round. Cultural Tours Visitors can immerse themselves in Yapese culture by exploring traditional villages, witnessing dances, and participating in local ceremonies. The Yap Living History Museum provides insights into traditional crafts, architecture, and daily life. Stone Money Banks Exploring the stone money banks offers a unique glimpse into the island's historical economy and social structures. Guided tours explain the significance of these massive stone discs and how they were transported from neighboring islands. Kayaking and Hiking The island's lush landscapes and mangrove-lined coasts are perfect for kayaking and hiking adventures. Trails lead through tropical forests, offering opportunities to observe native flora and fauna. Festivals and Events Timing a visit during local festivals can enrich your experience. Events like Yap Day, celebrated annually on March 1st, showcase traditional dances, crafts, and competitions. Accommodation and Amenities Yap offers a range of accommodations, from resort hotels to eco-lodges that blend with the natural environment. While the island maintains a tranquil atmosphere, essential amenities are available, including local restaurants serving fresh seafood and traditional dishes. Travel Tips Respect Local Customs: Modesty is valued in Yapese culture. Visitors should dress conservatively, especially when visiting villages or attending ceremonies. Currency: The US dollar is the official currency. Credit cards are accepted in some establishments, but it's advisable to carry cash for smaller vendors. Language: While Yapese is the local language, English is widely spoken and understood. Transportation: Car rentals and taxis are available, but exploring on foot or bicycle can be a rewarding way to experience the island. Conclusion Exploring Yap offers a rare opportunity to experience a culture deeply rooted in tradition amidst the serene beauty of the Pacific. Whether you're diving with manta rays, walking among ancient stone money, or engaging with the warm and welcoming local community, Yap promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of Micronesia.  "