Set on the far western shores of Papua New Guinea, Sorong is a strange mix of a port city, industrial centre and relaxed coastal town. Despite its urban buzz, it has a distinctly laid-back ambience and is the gateway to some of the most idyllic tropical islands and phenomenal scuba diving spots in the world - the Raja Ampat Islands. Start the day with an early morning visit to the local market and observe local fishing boats return with their catch. Visit bustling batik shops to browse a wide variety of traditional Indonesian cloth and various art and craft shops that feature traditional artefacts. The next stop is the Raja Ampat Islands, a pristine archipelago located in the famed Coral Triangle, said to be among the planet’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems.