Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# SEPIK RIVER Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
f1k 19:34 UTC 27 Dec 2014 | I was in Sepik river last August. The people of Ambunti village wanted an enormous sum for a cruise in the river. Even for a relatively small distance (from Ambunti to Pagwi) the sum they asked for, was 300 euros. The name of the chief of the boat-men is Mr. Kaku, who while I was in his boat from Pagwi to Ambunti demanded persistently and in an aggressive way, a different price from the one we had originally agreed. None of the other boat-men can have a private agreement unless Mr. Kaku says it's ok first. Even though I had made an arrangement and had prepaid the ride with another boat-man, he returned the money to me because Mr. Kaku didn't agree. They say, for example, that oil is expensive, but you can see the real price of any kind of oil on the door of the tiny supermarket in Pagwi at the other side of the river. Be careful of the sun and the mosquitoes: they bite even if you have put on Deet 50%. So Malarone is necessary. Note that it is very difficult to find a boat from Timbunke to Angoram. I would also like to say that George in Muschu island is very polite but a little bit expensive for the service he offers. The best hotel in Wewak, the "Wewak Boutique Hotel", is very nice and the food is very good. The staff is very polite. The manager of the Hotel Mr. S. Rodriguez is helpful, kind and he can give practical information on anything you ask. Mrs Anna Naime, the Supervisor in Air Niugini, in Wewak, is very helpful and expresses the generous soul of the PNG People. "Comfort Inn Hotel" where I stayed in Port Moresby is decadent: the curtains in the restaurant are torn and dirty, the breakfast very poor and the rooms colourless. Spending the same amount of money, you can go to "Ela Beach Hotel" which is very good and in a very nice location. |