Bougainville

I was very excited about going to Bougainville. This is an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea.
However, those 2 whole days were just a rip off!!! I was supposed to pay 1120 kina for 2 nights, 1 day tour and a return pickup from Buka to Arawa!!
I was not cautious enough because I thought the price which was set was for 2 whole days of tour and 3 nights. This happens when you book your flight and contact people in the last minute.
When I arrived to Buka, the guy I contacted told me I need to pay some extras  for his friend who helped me over the passage. It is such a shame that those 1120 kina wasn't even enough covering the whole cost. He kind of forgot to tell me about it...
Then I arrived to Arawa, where I finally realized in the last minute that I went into a bad deal.. Even for 2 days it would have been a lot!!! But for 1 day... No way.. I told him about how disappointed I was, he only said, oh ok, no worries, I could get the last night for free and I can spend my last day on the island, doing activities, paid from my pocket!!!
The "guided tour" was from appr. 10,30/11 am to not even 3 pm...... And all of this for 1120 kina?!?!

The funniest thing is that he gave me his card hoping I would give some recommendations to my friends....  NO WAY! I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND HIS OR THE COMPANY 'S SERVICE (Bougtours) TO ANYONE AT ALL!!!

Bougainville is a nice place to be and I am truly sorry I have been not cautious enough and let this very bad experience define my stay there. He and his company should be very ashamed that this is the picture they are showing about Bougainville. This is not really the way to raise its visitors.

I have also posted exactly the same message to many other forums about PNG. We might be from other countries but we are not stupid!

Bougainville is a beautiful place with beautiful souls! If I could go back in time, I would do everything differently.
It is quite hard to find lots of information about Bougainville that was the reason why  I did this mistake.
If you are planning to go there, do it, that place needs to have lots of attention. Pls, just organize everything through your guest house. People are amazing from there and offer the same (or even more!!!) for a better price.

I am not sure this has anything to do specifically with Bougainville?

You had a bad experience with one tour company, can happen anywhere. Especially in developing countries.

As you mention, the better way to visit is to just take a flight and then organize things on the spot. I had a great time in Bougainville without using any tour company.

I thought this is a forum where you can share your experiences. You don't need to like what I wrote.