"3 Years Living in Papua New Guinea" Top 5 Page for this destination Papua New Guinea by Bwana_Brown

Papua New Guinea Travel Guide: 565 reviews and 1,034 photos

Highlanders on Their Rounds - Papua New Guinea

I spent 3 years in Papua New Guinea from 1979-1982 with my family while I was working with the Papua New Guinea Electricity Commission. My job gave me the opportunity to travel throughout the country as I dealt with various problems at the many isolated diesel and hydro-electric power stations. PNG is a very diverse country with tropical beaches, snow-capped mountains, rain forest, volcanoes, numerous islands and big rivers. Most trips were done by flying out of Port Moresby on twin-engine propeller-driven Fokker F-27s with a switch to Toyota Land Cruisers once the destination was reached. Most of the country was constantly hot (usually low 30s C) and humid, except in the Highlands where it was quite comfortable. I had been looking for another tropical job overseas, and decided to try for one in PNG after seeing and applying for an ad in the back of an electrical power magazine. Although I was really enjoying my electric power job in New Brunswick, Canada, my wife and I felt the need for another adventure after our Africa days! Only later did I find out that the saying is that any white man who goes to PNG is either a missionary, a mercenary or a misfit! You figure it out! The following commentary is based on our experiences during our stay. The photo is of two women on their rounds in the mountainous Highlands in the central part of the country, near Goroka. I have added Travelogues describing my visit to a 1930's-vintage gold mining operation near Lae as well as on our first few months in PNG, a family trip into the Highlands mountain region of the country and also various World War 2 sites that I was amazed to come across!

Pros and Cons

Pros:An Experience of a Lifetime!
Cons:Hot, Humid and Isolated
In a nutshell:I was lucky - it was an amazing 3 years in that era!

Last visit to Papua New Guinea: Jun 1982
Intro Updated Nov 29, 2005
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Reviews (24)

Typical Throng of Shoppers - Papua New Guinea

Saturday Morning Bustle Shopping (1)

One of Port Moresby's main shopping areas was in Boroko, just inland from the harbour area. It had a wide variety of... more travel advice

In the Rain Forest Hotels (5)

On my single trip into Angoram, inland on the mighty Sepik River, we stayed at the Angoram Hotel - basically the only... more travel advice

Tropical Accommodations Hotels (5)

The Sepik Hotel was the accommodation that we usually used when staying in Wewak. It was located more centrally in town... more travel advice

A Job Well Done! Hotels (5)

My Aussie mate and I as we down a couple of stubbies after a hot day in the diesel power station on a trouble-shooting... more travel advice

Things to Do (2)
See All Harbour in a Volcano
Favorites (4)
See All Canoeing the Bismarck Sea
Local Customs (4)
See All Payday Alert!
Nightlife (1)
Sunset on the Coral Sea
Restaurants (1)
Friendly Papuan Hornbill

Travelogues (4)

1 - 4 of 4

Comments (121)

balhannah Feb 2, 2010 at 8:42 PM Report Abuse

An interesting, informative page. Live close by, and still haven't been!
Nemorino Dec 12, 2009 at 8:20 AM Report Abuse

Wow, three years in Papua New Guinea! Fascinating tips and travelogues!
ranger49 Sep 8, 2009 at 4:30 AM Report Abuse

Thanks to Arthur Mee's encyclopedia for kids I had a passion for all things to do with PNG. Rekindled now by news of "Darwinian" finds in Mt Bosavi Crater. Thanks for your great pages!
hopang Apr 14, 2009 at 3:22 AM Report Abuse

Excellent overview of Papua New Guinea. Your tips on warnings or dangers and tourist traps must be taken seriously by any foreign tourist visiting the country. Thanks for sharing. ~ho & pang
angiebabe Dec 28, 2008 at 11:00 AM Report Abuse

Hi,shame!I will just have to keep coming back to see PNG here in your pgs!Yes the news there before i left for the UK was too much unrest & too many volatile characters about then.We knew a nbr of people who also workd there but were moving back home.
janiebaxter May 26, 2008 at 4:23 AM Report Abuse

Hi Glenn, This has been on my wish list for a long time - these pages make me want to go even more!
kokoryko Jan 12, 2008 at 3:42 PM Report Abuse

Papua is on my near future destination list ! It is a fascinating country and your memories make me dream a bit more! Merci Glen. Ah: let’s nywa pombe baridi, as you are also an « old » east African !
aloha088 Jan 4, 2008 at 4:00 PM Report Abuse

jambo bwana! thank you for your very interesting page! love your local customs capter about the language :-)
shelnlin Nov 6, 2007 at 11:14 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for a wonderful read! I loved your write up as it felt as if you were talking to me as you described everything, I loved your photos too. Best wishes from NZ! ;-D
mircaskirca Aug 6, 2007 at 1:49 PM Report Abuse

What an excellent page! Really enjoyed the reading! I found especially Local Customs and General Tips very interesting and informative! And the "mumu" cooking sounds tempting :)