Accommodation in Wewak

Hi fellow travellers

My son and I (50 something) are going to new Guinea in a weeks time. As I was born and grew up there I am fortunate enought to have quite a bit of support there still.

Things have changed so much since my day and I have been told over the years how dangerous it now is. Really so sad, as 30 years ago I could walk around on my own as a single white female and not feel at all threatened. In fact quite the opposite. Has it really got as bad as the publicity here in Australia wants you to believe?

Four questions:
1. We are looking at taking a small video camera hoping to capture some of the old plantations and places that I grew up on. Is this recommended? Or should we play safe as everyone (who hasn't been to the place) suggests and just take a small stills?

2. Can anyone recommend a good hotel in Wewak close to town with good restaurant and preferably views. We are only in Wewak for 3 days and 2 nights so want somewhere safe to eat at night and close to town. Don't need delux but would like something a little upmarket I guess.

3. We will be in Goroka for the Goroka show. Anything else to see from here?

4. Looking at heading from Goroka to Lae. Is it safe to travel by road? How possible would it be to find a guide to take us for safety reasons? Would it be better / safer to do the PMV?

Many thanks in advance for any thoughts. We are so looking forward to this trip. Something I have been wanting to do for many years.

I have travelled to the places you are intending to go and have always felt quite safe and had no trouble. That said, you need to obey the basic rules:

- don't walk anywhere after dark
- always know where you are going, so that you don't get lost or look lost
- wear worn in clothes and don't wear expensive jewellery or bags
- be friendly and greet people as you pass - they will all say hello to you

My 25 year old son and I went to Wewak, the Sepik River and New Ireland in January this year and had a great time. To answer your questions:

(1) I think you would be okay with a small vidoe camera. As long as you keep it secure and out of sight when not using it you should be okay. The risk of theft is no greater than when travelling through any of the major tourist destinations of the world.

(2) In Wewak I recommend the In Wewak Boutique Hotel. It is on Wewak Hill, has good views, a swimming pool and has a nice restaurant. It is not as expensive as the name suggests. In fact its rates are less than some of the old run down hotels on the beachfront, such as the Windjammer, which is quite expensive and pretty shabby. Phone 856 2100 Email inwewak@global.net.pg

(3) I will be in Goroka for the show too, with my 70 year old sister form Australia! If you have a couple of days to spare you could go to Kundiawa and then Mt Hagen. It is a great drive. Or there are day trips organised by the travel agency at the Bird of Paradise Hotel to villages around Goroka Phone 731 3100 Email thebird@coralseashotel.com.pg I went to the Show last year - it is stunning

(4) Last year I stayed at Goroka Lodge and met a relaible young man there who was my guide. I am meeting him again this year and he is going to come with me to Kundiawa and then Mt Wilhelm. As I am travelling on PMVs I thought that I should have a local with me. After the Show I am sure he would be available to travel with you down to Lae. You would have to pay of course (K40 or 50 per day), and his PMV fare to Lae and back. His name is Herman and can be contacted at Goroka Lodge Phone 732 3418

Hope this helps.

Hey

Just quickly to tell you to avoid the Wewak Guesthouse (Miss Barry), as it is so dirty it's impossible to imagine (I will probably write a post about it, as I found the recommandation in this forum).
The airport lodge was clean and nice but not cheap (around 200 K for a double room, and breakfast is expansive !). Convenient, since it's between the airport and the beach, but not in town : you'll need to find a place in the bus # 21 (but only 50 toyas).

Enjoy

Thanks for the info. We are now fairly well sorted. A friend has recoomended the Good Samaritan Lodge in Goroka. Just wondering if anyone has stayed there or knows anything about it. I have tried ggogling but does not come up. I believe it is a great location.

Thanks for recommendation of Wewak Boutique Hotel. I have booked and all seems very efficient. More than I can say about Air New Guinea I'm afraid. But when travelling in these countries have to go with the flow I guess.

Not sure what the writer of the post about Wewak Guest House (above) expected for K25 a night which was the backpacker share rate in 2007 - when he/she most likely got a very big, safe & secure room with a ceiling fan located on very large prime commercial/residential property less than a minutes walk from stores, PMV bus stops, Dagua market, clinic, courthouse, etc...for only K25 or not more than K50!!! Dirty? Impossible to imagine??? If you want pine-o-kleen and ajax instead of plain old bleach and omo then by all means for 200 dollars a night stay at the Garamut Hotel (In-Wewak Boutique) instead. Agreed the common bathrooms need to be improved, however what do you expect when using a common shared bathroom in any country?

Due to negative, misguided comments published in the guide and on this site we regret to advise that there will - as of today - no longer be any special 50% discounts automatically offered to international travellers and strictly no more credit. The current rate is K100 - single or double. Extra occupant @ K35. Budget travellers however can always try polishing the floor at SSEC guesthouse on Wewak Hill in an open space (no room) for K20 per night. Alternatively you can get a much smaller room at Wharehe Guest House on Wewak Hill for K80 per night -double @ K160 with common share bathroom facilities.You just have to walk up and down the mountain if you have no money for an expensive hire car. For airport transfer convenience Gala Lodge on the beachfront across the road from the airport is my best recommendation for budget travellers.

Sorry backpackers. Been there, done that. Definitely no more backpacker rate (K35) unless we receive an apology from Lonely Planets and withdrawal of the totally misguided, contradictory remarks made by their writer (which I consider to be libellous) against my mother – a naturalized PNG citizen - who has over 50 years run very successful manufacturing enterprises and helped countless people including many wayward, stranded,
broke international backpackers. Enjoy your stay elsewhere. Please don’t forget to share
some nice pictures and positive comments about your travels in the Sepik - so people who have never been here will know what they have been missing. Thanks and best regards to all the brave souls who read the comments but still came and stayed.

Don't believe everything you read...especially by people posting messages anonymously or who do not do their research properly!! For further info you are welcome to contact me. All feedback including constructive criticism welcome.

Sonja Barry Ramoi - Wewak, ESP, PNG.