PNG or Solomons

isherwood17:44 UTC30 Jul 2009

Hi all!

I am planning to go to the Solomons, but have been discouraged by reports of no more full kustom tribes and the high cost of getting around and going diving. I am looking for traditional music and dance with a little R&R at the end of a one month trip. I noticed that August is sing sing month in PNG. This might be a chance to be exposed to a lot of music and dance in a concentrated period. Is it possible to just show up at Mount Hagen and thus beat the tour group racket? How do you get there? Where do you stay?

Also-I had an awesome trip in West Papua by taking missionary aircraft and a guide to a remote airstrip and hoofing it from there. Can this be done in PNG? What about simply befriending some of the Mount Hagen tribals and going back to their village with them when the festivities are over?

Any advice? Experiences to share?

Where to go: PNG or Solomons?

Thanks

Nick

Laszlo18:42 UTC30 Jul 2009

Sounded familiar...

zachleigh04:16 UTC04 Aug 2009

Well, about costs, don't go to PNG looking for a deal. Staying in villages will save you cash, but just getting around and feeding yourself is going to cost you a hell of a lot more than it would in most other places. And diving....they don't make a cuse word strong enough to express the pain you experience when you actually have to pay for your diving.

Going to a show...you'll see dance, but it is a show, not 100% real anymore. And if you just show up I think you'll have a pretty hard time finding accomidation. You could probably meet somebody just about anywhere in the country and have them take you back to their village, but don't go there expecting guys in penis gourdes.

Yes, its pretty damn easy to pick a random spot and start walking. You could fly in our boat in and walk from the coast to get to more remote places.

PNG or Solomons Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
isherwood17:44 UTC30 Jul 2009	Hi all! I am planning to go to the Solomons, but have been discouraged by reports of no more full kustom tribes and the high cost of getting around and going diving. I am looking for traditional music and dance with a little R&R at the end of a one month trip. I noticed that August is sing sing month in PNG. This might be a chance to be exposed to a lot of music and dance in a concentrated period. Is it possible to just show up at Mount Hagen and thus beat the tour group racket? How do you get there? Where do you stay? Also-I had an awesome trip in West Papua by taking missionary aircraft and a guide to a remote airstrip and hoofing it from there. Can this be done in PNG? What about simply befriending some of the Mount Hagen tribals and going back to their village with them when the festivities are over? Any advice? Experiences to share? Where to go: PNG or Solomons? Thanks Nick
Laszlo18:42 UTC30 Jul 2009	Sounded familiar...	1
zachleigh04:16 UTC04 Aug 2009	Well, about costs, don't go to PNG looking for a deal. Staying in villages will save you cash, but just getting around and feeding yourself is going to cost you a hell of a lot more than it would in most other places. And diving....they don't make a cuse word strong enough to express the pain you experience when you actually have to pay for your diving. Going to a show...you'll see dance, but it is a show, not 100% real anymore. And if you just show up I think you'll have a pretty hard time finding accomidation. You could probably meet somebody just about anywhere in the country and have them take you back to their village, but don't go there expecting guys in penis gourdes. Yes, its pretty damn easy to pick a random spot and start walking. You could fly in our boat in and walk from the coast to get to more remote places.	2