Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Living & Working in Buka

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea

I have been offered a long term working position in Buka island and the project could take atleast 3 years to complete. I need to relocate from one of the metropolis in India and hence would request people on this board to support on the following:
1.How safe is it for an expat to work & live in Buka Island.
2. What are the entertainment options available?
3. Is there an Indian community available in Buka Island?
4. How are the medical facilities in Buka?
I am a highly adventerous, outgoing & friendly person & what could be the challenges in Buka Island.

  1. I guess like the rest of small-town PNG - OK with some care, especially at night!

  2. Drinking in the few bars?

  3. Noticed none of that. In fact Buka is one of only 2 islands I encountered in Melanesia where all businesses are run by "natives", with the usual Chinese and Indian traders kept out consciously.

  4. Didn't have to try them (thanks God!) but I'd not expect anything beyond basic care. As flights are regular, you can always go to somewhere with more facilities if really necessary.

Overall, expect a HUGE culture shock after metropolitan India.
You'll find Buka VERY small and isolated.

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your four questions seem to negate the final sentence...

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