Seeking advice on guesthoueses and other things in Madang

Myself and four friends are travelling to Madang in January. We want to stay mostly in guesthouses and are struggling to get information from the Madang Tourism Bureau to match what we have heard. Among other things we plan to hire a car and drive the North Coast Road - possibly stay at Keki Lodge (depending on the the weather and the state of the road) and if not Keki, a guest house in Bogia. Does anyone know the name of the guesthouse in Bogia? Is it worth doing other things in this area while here? Manam island? Ramu River? Secondly we wanted to stay on Karkar Island? does anyone have any recommendatons on guesthouses on Karkar? I've heard there is three. We'd like one close to where we can walk and see the waterfall (s?) and if possible near a beach for snorkelling. Maybe we need to stay at two. Are there PMVs on Karkar. Also, any info on getting from KarKar to Bagabag would be good? Finally, happy to take other advice on things to do. We will be staying in Madang as well and snorkelling and diving while there. It is other things we're looking to do - preferably cheap - can't afford flights to Teptep or Simbai. Thanks.

one of the better /cheaper options in madang is the cwa guesthaus on coastwatchers ave,near town.phone 8522216.no meals but the fishing club next door is good for food/bia

Another cheap, easy, and worthwhile thing to do if you have a few extra days is hopping on a PMV to Goroka.
It would give you a taste of the Highlands even if you just stayed in town for a night or two.
Or you could continue eastwards to Chimbu, then do the trek from the Mount Wilhelm area back down to Madang.

the lutheran guesthouse in madang is another good bet. We just booked a unit there (3 single beds + 1 double) for K132 per night. ph. 852 2589

for the villages and islands you'll probably find it really hard to get info before you get to PNG - if you want to travel cheaply then you might find it better just to book something for when you're in Madang, then work out the rest of it step by step from there. As long as you have your mozzie net and whatever other bedding you need, you should be able to find people who are willing to put you up in the villages in exchange for some kina.

From what I remember of Karkar, its hard to avoid beaches for snorkelling - everything is close to the coast and it seems like every time you stick your head underwater its great. There are (or were) boats going from Karkar to Bagabag, but I really don't know how you'd go about getting more info before you get there. I found out about boats by wandering down to the wharf at Madang and asking people...

The guest house at Bogia is Anua Negu Lodge. Send us an e-mail and we'll give you their rates and e-mail address.
ecomel@online.net.pg

There is a Japanese volunteer at the Madang Visitors Bureau whose Engrish isn't hot but has collected a lot of information on guest houses etc - we can put you in touch with him.