 Popondetta Click to get the inside scoop from real travelers here at VirtualTourist. See the Popondetta Travel GuideInside advice from real people on:Overview, Hotels, Things to Do, Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping, General Tips, Transportation, Off the Beaten Path, Tourist Traps, Warnings or Dangers, Local Customs, Packing Lists or Sports Travel.
6 Popondetta Tips. 8 Popondetta Photos. Popondetta Pages by Bwana_Brown Sponsored Links for Popondetta
|
| Page Views: 6,652 Last Visit to Popondetta: August, 1980 | Popondetta - North of the Mountains by Bwana_Brown - last update: Jun 29, 2005 |
| WW2 Wrecks with Mt. Lamington in the Distance |
Popondetta, the small capital of Oro Province (formerly Northern), lies inland from the coast of the Solomon Sea on a well-drained area of fertile volcanic soil. In fact, this is the largest area of prime agricultural land on the mainland part of Papua New Guinea (please see my 'General' tip for a map of the area).
But this piece of good luck does not come without a price. The original Popondetta was destroyed in January, 1951 when the long dormant volcanic Mount Lamington suddenly erupted. At that time, the mountain was totally covered in green jungle forests and the locals were not even aware that it was a volcano. Only a few days after it began to 'burp', the mountain erupted in a massive explosion somewhat like Mount St. Helen's did. Pyroclastic flows of searing gas and ash flowed down the mountainside at 150-kph, killing everything in it's path up to almost 12-km out. It is believed that between 3000-4000 people were killed by the eruption.
The photo also shows relics of another of the early catastrophies to befall this area. Japanese forces landed here in 1942 in their attempt to conquer New Guinea and heavy fighting took place over the next few years between them and the Australians and Americans.
In my case, all was peaceful as I flew in from Port Moresby, over the 13,000-ft high (4000-m) Owen Stanley Range, to fix up a few power production problems at the local diesel electric station. |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| In A Nutshell: | "Not Much Happening Here" |
Bwana_Brown's Popondetta Travel Tips
Comments for Bwana_Brown about Popondetta | | | | |
yumyum Wed Feb 13, 2008 21:07 UTC Thanks for a glimpse on this part of the world! | tiabunna Wed Apr 26, 2006 05:05 UTC Better to be flying OVER the Owen Stanleys than to one of the strips tucked among them! Another enjoyable page. | Luchonda Sun Apr 23, 2006 17:39 UTC Nice fly high picture Glenn - nice little story too ! Greetz and catch you later | awladhassan Thu Mar 23, 2006 15:41 UTC Not much happening, you say; but it has in the past. I expect the natives are grateful for the peace . |
|
|