planning stage questions

This will be our first visit to PNG, me and my husband, 53-58, experienced travelers and keen photographers, but aiming to the budget-middle price range. We would like to spend around 30 days in PNG. Reading the posts, i found very helpful information, but i am still concerned about safety matters, mainly since we use 2 quite impressive D-SLRs.
1. Do you think that carrying this kind of "expensive-looking" cameras, is it still possible to go around, without having to book one of the expensive escorted tours?
2. I understand that one has not much use for credit cards in PNG. And also that it's better not to money transfer in advance. It logically means to take along quite a lot of cash. Is there any other option that I am not aware of? Doesn't it make any middle-aged tourist (in contrast to young=poor!! backpacker) a more attractive robbery target?
3. Are there any places (except PM and Lae that we intend to skip) where it's possible to burn memory-cards to CD?

Thanks for any advice.

hi biol teacher

firstly, good on you for choosing PNG as a travell destination. It is very photogenic. Regarding the camera, i have carried a nice slr camera around PNG with no worries. However i was usually with some PNG friends. I wouldnt want to give you any poor advice, but i would say take the reasonable precautions - dont flash your camera around unnesasarily. If you are like me you will soon get the "feel" for when it is safe/appropriate to pull out the Big SLR and when it is best to leave it in the case.
Credit - larger centres have credit card facilities including ATMS. I have found that i can get by on, say, maximum 200 kina in my wallet at one time. I suppose it depends on where you are travelling. Be aware though, the kina tends to drain fairly quickly...
Sorry i cant answer Q3.
Laszlo may have some further advice as he has travelled PNG fairly extensively...
Enjoy

Over the past 12 months I have travelled extensively in PNG, visiting 10 provinces. I have never felt threatened or at risk at any time. However. I am always careful and weigh up each situation as it comes along. I have usually stay in budget accomodation (which actually means mid-range for other countries). I have usually been able to meet a local who has been happy to be my guide. Having a local guide always makes me feel very secure. You should pay between K20 and K50 per day for a guide, plus buy meals as apprporaite. It is worth spending this money as it really increases the cross cultural experience you will have as well as providing a good sense of security.

QUESTION 1: I don't think you will have any trouble with the cameras, as there is not a ready market for them amongst the sort of PNG people that thieves would potentially sell them too. I have seen a number of people travelling with SLRs who have not had any problems with them. Small digital cameras (like mine) are much more attractive to thieves as there is a ready market. The risk of theft is no greater than travelling in any other country, in my opinion.

QUESTION 2: All the major towns have ATMs that you can withdraw money from using your home country credit / debit card. I have a VISA card from Australia and I have no problems withdrawing cash from that account if needed. ANZ has a very wide network of branches in PNG - check out this site for locations: http://www.anz.com/PNG/importantinfo/atmlocations.asp</a>.

You could bring travellers cheques and cash them in the larger towns, but you should be right with a VISA or Mastercard to use at ATMs. If you have trouble with an ATM go into the bank and they will do a cash advance for you from your international credit card. I did this in the Westpac Bank in Kavieng when I ran short of cash as they is not an ATM in Kavieng.

QUESTION 3: I don't know this either, as I have the luxury of having a computer in PNG to transfer my photos onto. There are not many 'internet cafe' type places outside POM, so I suspect that you would have trouble finding somewhere to do this. As PNG is not a toursist mecca, there is not much demand for this service.

Finally, as said by abitofeverything, congratulations on choosing PNG as a destination. I am sure you will have a wonderful experience here.

This is the correct link to the ANZ - I stuffed it up in the post above!

Check this out for ANZ ATM locations in PNG.

The airways hotel lets you burn photo's to CD at the business centre.

As for being less likely to be robbed because you're older than 'younger backpackers' wishful thinking i'm afraid it doesn't make a difference, a pink-skin is a pink-skin, and by definition rich. Mind you you could be dressed in rags and look like crap and rascals would happily mess you up for 20kina if they found the motivation to stop chewing betelnut and move :-)

That said, slim chances... Not really that different to african travel, accept you'll be neon, and be alert, its all you can really do, just enjoy the country and take lots of beautiful pictures! :-)

Just the remember basics of security, and good luck.

Cheers, luke

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>I have usually been able to meet a local who has been happy to be my guide. Having a local guide always makes me feel very secure. You should pay between K20 and K50 per day for a guide, plus buy meals as apprporaite. It is worth spending this money as it really increases the cross cultural experience you will have as well as providing a good sense of security.<hr></blockquote>

Can I ask how you set about finding a guide in PNG? Is it just a case of hoping you'll meet someone who'd be willing to show you round informally for a fee, or is there any kind of official guide organisation? I've had mixed results with using unofficial guides in Africa in the past.

Sensible advice and good ideas...thanks a lot.
I am asking myself the same as Prophetajeremaiah: how is it possible to distinguish in PNG between "rascals" in desguise and nice, local informal guides, with whom we can feel secure and among friends? Of course, it wouldn't be a problem when one is familiar with the local culture, or can get recommendations from other travelers. So, can anyone recommend us such people and how to contact them?

good question prophet & biolteacher! i would say that it is definitely hard (if not impossible) to distinguish between 'rascal' and others. i cant offer any advice as to specific guides, however i would say that most decent homestays, hotels etc would be able to offer advice as to trustworthy people who would be willing to guide you for a fee.
cheers

THE WAY i FIND A GUIDE

I usually chat with people who operate the place I am staying at and put out feelers for soemone who would be a good guide. Sometimes they know someone stratight away, and sometimes not. I don't committ to 7 days guiding or something like that up front. I will get some one to show me around town or do some similar simle thing. If it works out I might ask them to do something the next day. If not we go our separate ways. Having a connection to the guesthouse or lodge is important - if something goes wrong the owners/ managers will hold the guide responsible, a disincentive to wrong doing. Not an infalkibale method, and it can take time and not always work, but I have had some very good successess.

DOWNLOADING PHOTOS FROM MEMORY CARDS

I did some research today! Many of the Chemcare or City chains of pharmacies have the Kodak digital printers. You can downlaod on them from a memory card to a CD. These pharmacies are common in Port Moresby and I have used one in Wewak, but am not sure how common they are in other towns, but it is a lead worth following up. In the pharmacy in Port Moresby there was no charge to down laod if you have some photos printed and the guy I was speakinmg to was not sure what the charge to downlaod was with no printing. You need to have your own CD.

Sorry about the spelling in the popst above. I pressed 'Send Reply' when I meant to 'Preview'.

How to distinguish between a rascal and a real guide?
To be honest I can't imagine the rascals bothering with the effort to pretend to be a guide and then rob you, they'll just wait for the opportunity to rob you and then do it. They aren't the brightest criminals on earth.

Best bet is to either try arrange one through a travel agency before you go or through your guesthouse / hotel in moresby.

cheers, luke

Hi,

My partner and i are alsio in our 50's and we stayed at Kavieng hotel, New Ireland, for the fishing. I was able to wander around town on my own during the day..but advised not to go out after dark.

The owner was able to arrange fishing trips and a sightseeing trip to Noosa Island for a days outing.

Enjoy your trip.

Cheers,
Shazz

As Poster No 2 has mentioned it is possible to withdraw money from from PNG ANZ ATMs using an Australian ANZ Account and an Access Card .

Look for a secure location such as in a supermarket compound or inside a bank before using an ATM. Do not uses buses or taxis in Port Moresby. Do not walk around Port Moresby at night.

Just a small correction to #12 - you don't need an Australian ANZ Account to use an ANZ ATM in PNG. I have a card from another Australian bank and I use it all the time in PNG ATMs with no problems. Also, all ATMs are in secure locations and they all have security guards in place.

If you need to use a taxi, use Scarlett taxis - phone 323 4266. They are safe and relaible. Many expats use Scarlet without problems.

Great pick! You will love PNG. We spent 30 days there last year and it was the highlight of our trip around the world. For information on places to visit you can check out the travel stories we wrote at our website.

You can look forward to the greatest trip of your life!!

Best regards EvAnders

I will first arrive in Alotau for a few nights, then 7 at the Trobriands. Can I use ATM services in Alotau ? I checked the ANZ PNG weblink above and it lookds like they have none. Anybody knows of other services ?

Thanks, leaving tommorow.

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