Port Moresby  - Culture

Nearly 85 percent of the main island is carpeted with tropical rain forest, containing vegetation that is a combination of Asian and Australian species. The country is also home to an impressive variety of exotic birds, including virtually all of the known species of birds of paradise, and it is blessed with more kinds of orchids than any other country.

Papua New Guinea's climate is tropical, as one would expect in a country located just south of the Equator. December to March is the wet season, although occasional rain falls year-round. While Port Moresby, the capital, and other towns on the coast are quite hot in the summer months, temperatures are considerable cooler in the Highlands. July, August, and September are the best months for trekking vacations.

The Christian church has been extraordinarily influential throughout PNG with most Papua New Guineans regarding themselves as Christians (the largest denominations are Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and United). Pantheistic beliefs are also widespread and traditional rituals are integral to Papuan culture. For example, people who live in danger of crocodile attacks are likely to give crocodiles an important role in their culture, while farming communities often place much emphasis on the weather, accordingly celebrating fertility and harvest. Placating the spirits of ancestors is a dominant theme in traditional beliefs, while the fear of practices such as sorcery and witchcraft is also widespread

Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of the rugged tropical island of New Guinea, which it shares with the Indonesian territory of Irian Jaya, as well as numerous smaller islands and atolls in the Pacific. The central part of the island rises into a wide ridge of mountains known as the Highlands , a territory that is so densely forested and topographically forbidding that the island's local peoples remained isolated from each other for millennia. The coastline is liberally endowed with spectacular coral reefs, giving the country an international reputation for scuba diving. The smaller island groups of Papua New Guinea include the Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, New Ireland and the North Solomon's. Some of these islands are volcanic, with dramatic mountain ranges, and all are relatively undeveloped.

Port Moresby (population 145,000), the capital of PNG and the major exit/entry point for travellers, is located on a superb natural harbour on the southern coast of New Guinea. Much drier than the rest of the country, Port Moresby often suffers from extended droughts which can lead to water restrictions. A sprawling, some suggest crime-addled city, razor wire and snapping guard dogs are everywhere. Port Moresby is probably more bark than bite and does have some interesting things to see and do.

These include: Boroko, an important shopping centre that includes a number of restaurants and bars, banks and department stores; Gordons, an otherwise lacklustre area enlivened by Gordons Market, one of the largest and busiest in the country; Parliament House, the new parliament building, built in Maprik haus tambaran or spirit-house style; National Museum & Art Gallery, offers excellent coverage of the country's geography, history, culture, flora and fauna; Idler's Beach, a popular swimming spot east of Port Moresby; and Sinasi Reef and Daugo Island, a beautiful reef and white, sandy beaches, are popular excursions from Port Moresby. Hanuacraft and PNG Arts are recommended if you intend to buy local arts and crafts. Note that accommodation is expensive and should be booked in advance. he Kokoda Trail: This 60-mile trail, leading from the Port Moresby area up into the Owen Stanley Range, was first used by gold miners in the 1890's. It is best and most notoriously known, however, as the site of bloody fighting during World War Two, when Japanese forces, attempting to invade Port Moresby, were pushed back along the trail by the Australians. Hiking the trail, which begins at Owers' Corners, about 30 miles from Port Moresby, takes about five days. The terrain is rugged, with plenty of ups and downs between mountain ridges and through muddy streams.