Page 131 - Pacific Paradises 2019
P. 131
— Papua New Guinea —
Lorengau
MANUS ISLAND
Kavieng
NEW IRELAND
Wewak
Rabaul
Madang
Wabag EAST NEW BRITAIN
Mount Hagen Kimbe BOUGAINVILLE
Goroka
Mendi
Lae WEST NEW BRITAIN
Owen Stanley
Range
SOLOMON SEA
Kerema
Popondetta TROBRIAND ISLANDS
WOODLARK ISLAND
Port Moresby
D’ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS
Alotau
LOUISIADE ARCHIPELAGO
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
While the infrastructure for Capital and major centres ships and coral gardens to explore with
travel throughout PNG is firmly Port Moresby, PNG’s capital and gateway superb visibility. Many of the most
in place, travel as an industry is situated on the western coast of the rewarding cultural opportunities can
is still in its infancy. As such, mainland peninsula. Other popular be found in the Highlands. Goroka is
every visitor to PNG has the coastal regions on the mainland include the capital of the Eastern Highlands;
opportunity to be part of the Alotau, Lae, Wewak, Vanimo and Mt. Hagen is the capital of the Western
endless discovery. Madang. Alotau, at the eastern tip of the Highlands.
Owen Stanley Range, is an upcoming Papua New Guinea’s outer islands
PNG occupies the eastern portion of seaside resort town with rich culture cover an enormous area, offering access
New Guinea, the second largest island in and gorgeous scenery. Lae is the second to both the Solomon and Bismarck
the world. Precariously situated on the largest city, situated on the eastern coast, Seas. In this region opportunities
Pacific Rim of fire, it is the cumulative at the mouth of the Markham River. for exploration and adventure are
result of two of the world’s largest Wewak and Vanimo are in the Sepik enormous. New Britain, the largest
geological upheavals. The ensuing terrain Basin famous for their art, customs and island, has two tourism centres: Rabaul
is a rich, rugged collage of towering culture. The Sepik River runs 1126 on the eastern tip, and Kimbe in the
mountain peaks, dense rainforests, kilometres from source to sea and is one west. Other popular spots include
mangrove jungles, fertile valleys, white of the world’s largest waterways. Kavieng on New Ireland and Manus
sands and glistening coral islands. The Island further north.
underwater topography is a reflection of Further north is Madang, which has
the dramatic landscape. Hills and valleys one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful The people
translate into majestic pinnacles, fish- harbours with lush tropical vegetation. Nationals are predominantly
filled passes, lush colourful gardens and It was the centre of heavy fighting Melanesian, though in appearance they
coral-draped walls. during World War II and has 34 sunken are varied. More than 800 indigenous
– 129 – www.paradises.com