Festival at Mt Hagen (PNG): how to go & security questions

Hello,

I plan to go with my boyfriend to PNG & Solomon Islands by backpack this summer.
Even if most of the trip will surely be great, I'm quite concerned regarding security issues in Port Moresby and Mt Hagen...

Has anyone of you already been to the Singsing festival at Mt Hagen in August ? Was it possible to take photos there without being annoyed ? Will anyone of you attend this year (Aug16th and 17th) ?

Do you have tips of how to best go to Mt Hagen from Madang or Wewak (what's the safest option) ?
Is Port Moresby really nearly hell on earth or did you feel comfortable transiting there ?
Last but not least, do you know good agencies to do a Sepik river tour ?

Thanks a lot for your advice !

went to the mout hagen sing sing in august 2007. taking photos was no problem at all, nobody asked for any money. but this might probably also depend on how you're dressed and everything. you surely will get beautiful photos. there were many old tour-package-tourists which was kind of disappointing, as it really spoilt the whole sing sing experience. personally I suggest attending a smaller sing sing somewhere in PNG. I was short of time so couldn't find one. There are some others listed in LP, but it could be hard to find out when it takes place.

I took the PMV from madang all the way to hagen (in 2007!), had no problems, but it's not the safest option. if you want to be sure it's all smooth just take a flight. from hagen, some people from my guesthouse (which was right in town) brought me to the singsing with their own driver.

Great, thanks for your feedback, for once someone rather positive !

We'll decide this week if we do the trip or not to PNG.
Unfortunately, so many people react telling us "why the hell do you go to PNG ?? it's dangerous, expensive and complicated there. you should rather visit Australia !"... so it's kind of making us doubt, but I'm sure once there, it's a great adventure... ;o)