Recommend November 2014 - (Page 64)

SERGIO ORTIZ southpacific JOURNEY TO ANOTHER WORLD PAPUA NEW GUINEA sergio ortiz Accurately described as "one of the last frontiers of travel," Papua New Guinea (PNG) is home to daunting mountain ranges, the largest pristine rainforest this side of the Amazon, and countless islands and atolls ringed with magniﬁcent coral to bizarre cultures thriving in feral rainforests. A visit to this Melanesian nation is like journeying to a land that time forgot. The most convenient way to reach the country, incidentally, is from Brisbane, Australia, easily accessible from the U.S. According to Ally Stoltz, account manager, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, "PNG is a relatively new tourist destination, compared to the rest of the world. So you experience some real connections-interactions with the local people-you're certainly not viewed as a dollar sign. Instead, you ﬁnd yourself inside giant spirit houses on the banks of the Sepik River answering questions about your family, or sitting in a smoky men's house in the Highlands listening to stories that most Americans will never hear. "In my 10 trips there, I can safely say this is the last corner of the earth to be explored-a place where it's still possible to visit a village that hasn't had a visitor all month, or even all year. I've even visited a place that hadn't had a visitor since the '90s. I'm not sure where else on the planet something like this is even possible anymore." All indications point to the fact that PNG will remain an unspoiled utopia in the future. Ian Swain, president of Swain Destinations, says, "With so few lodges, I don't see Papua New Guinea becoming a mainstream country-at least not in the immediate future. I believe this to be a positive, as it provides a very special and fascinating experience for those who take on the adventure. There are certain areas 64 november 2014 64-65 SPacific.indd 64 that are more 'popularized' than others. However, we encourage our travelers to head off into the Highlands or along the Sepik River to experience the authenticity of the place." Despite the sense of remoteness, PNG has a number of resorts that stand out due to their exotic ﬂair. One is Walindi Plantation Resort (from $295 pp for bungalows; $210 pp in the main house), a pleasant and quaint property on the shores of Kimbe Bay on New Britain. A 1-hour ﬂight on Air Niugini-the national airline that's a vital in-country lifeline for visitors and locals alike because of the lack of roads-takes visitors from Port Moresby, the capital, to Hoskins, a colorful port on New Britain. A 45-minute van ride takes travelers from Hoskins to Walindi, which has the advantage of lying in the Coral Triangle, a spectacular marine region running north from East Indonesia and the Solomon Islands to the Philippines. The property runs along the beachfront and is surrounded by tropical gardens. Dive sites in Kimbe Bay are only ﬁve to 45 minutes removed from the resort, and there guests are taken on covered, specially designed day boats. Boom netting with resident pods of dolphins is a highlight, as well as passing orcas and migrating whales. Nondivers, too, will ﬁnd a rich menu of activities in Walindi. The resort arranges visits to nearby villages to experience the native way of life, as well as excursions to swim in hot, volcanic thermal pools known for their therapeutic value. Another accommodation option is Karawari Lodge in East Sepik Province, found deep in one of the country's most remote and inaccessible areas. It's owned and operated by Trans recommend.com 10/30/14 1:30 PM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend November 2014

Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: Delano Las Vegas
Tour Talk: New USTOA Members, New Experiences
There’s no Stopping Southeast Asia River Cruising
Martinique
The Saint Lucia Travel Agent Specialist Program
Germany: A Cultural Tour of its Cities Along the Rhine
Namibia: Southern Africa’s New Hot Ticket
Bella Bolivia
Papua New Guinea
Exploring North America’s Waterways
Mexico’s Sun Triangle

Recommend November 2014