PNG trip

Just a few questions for the experienced PNG travelers amongst you!

I am headed to PNG in July/August for a month-long backpacking trip. I will be mostly spending time in New Britain and New Ireland and a little time in POM. Does anyone know how easy it is to get between NB, the Duke of Yorks and southern NI?

As I grew up in POM, I'm aware of the security situation there and in the highlands... it will be around election time and I don't like not feeling safe when I travel (single female!) so will happily stick to beautiful islands! Am I being naive in thinking the islands will be a whole lot safer?

In light of tropical conditions (humidity, dust) and safety - I am considering buying a point and shoot camera, and maybe not taking my DSLR. Any thoughts on this?

Cheers!

To get from Rabaul/Kokopo to Duke of Yorks is a piece of cake, dinghys running back and forth everyday except the worst weather days. If you're a smart traveller with your wits about you, you'll get oiut there easy as.

Getting across to Southern NIP is a bit harder, but again dinghy's are running regularly, just not as easy/often to DoY's.

You can probably pick up a dinghy from DoY's or Rabaul/Kokopo heading to Lamassa or Lambom at the bottom end of NIP. From there you can get around to Namatanai.

There is no security issues there apart from basic common sense....

I always take a DSLR and a small weather proof point and shoot. There is no reason not to take a DSLR.

If you need a guide for the Duke of Yorks I can put you in touch with the Rait Man, he'd probably be able to advise you on getting across to NIP as well.

GlobalCitizen01

i will be also in new britain and new ireland on july if everything was good in highland and sepik

Thanks a lot for the info... yes, a contact on the duke of yorks would be great thanks!
Any tips on sleeping cheap on the islands? I am keen to make friends and stay locally as much as possible! I plan on paying my way, and would of course buy food to share and such, I certainly don't want to freeload. Hotels are very expensive and I don't want to go all that way to sit in a hotel room by myself. Any experience in this area? I'm very into couchsurfing and host a lot of travelers at my house, but there's not a lot of people signed on in PNG in general.

Both Olympus and Panasonic have recently brought out "tough" point and shoots that have been well reviewed. They fit in a pocket so are not such obvious targets for theft as DSLRs, and take pictures underwater as well as being drop proof, crush proof and dust proof.

Hi , will also be in New Ireland & New Brit, soon, leave Cairns on Friday. On cameras, the panasonic is better of the two. Seems more waterproof in humid conditions! we r braving it with out anti maleria meds, reling on nets , sprays and being covered. Traveling down New Ireland coast about the 13th to get a boat over to Duke o yorks for a coulple of nights then Rabaul then some luxury at Walindi. might see you on the road!