Located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, this unique city-state consists of mainland Singapore as well as numerous smaller islands covering a total area of about 640 square kilometres. With its strong Chinese, Malay, Indian and western influences, this metropolis offers a dazzling melting pot of diverse cultures, exotic cuisine and a range of architectural styles. This multicultural population has resulted in a number of national cultural districts, such as Chinatown with its impressive Hindu shrines and temples adorned with marigold garlands. These pockets of traditional culture stand in stark contrast to the rows of glitzy state-of-the-art malls and futuristic skyscrapers. With all of this variety on offer, it is easy to see why famous natural historian William Hornaday described this remarkable city as 'the handiest and most marvellous city [he] ever saw'.
Located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, this unique city-state consists of mainland Singapore as well as numerous smaller islands covering a total area of about 640 square kilometres. With its strong Chinese, Malay, Indian and western influences, this metropolis offers a dazzling melting pot of diverse cultures, exotic cuisine and a range of architectural styles. This multicultural population has resulted in a number of national cultural districts, such as Chinatown with its impressive Hindu shrines and temples adorned with marigold garlands. These pockets of traditional culture stand in stark contrast to the rows of glitzy state-of-the-art malls and futuristic skyscrapers. With all of this variety on offer, it is easy to see why famous natural historian William Hornaday described this remarkable city as 'the handiest and most marvellous city [he] ever saw'.
Located only 100miles north of Australia, this Melanesian nation shares the island of New Guinea with Papua, Indonesia's easternmost province. The island is blessed with a wealth of natural treasures including dense rainforests, idyllic islands, rich highlands, and volcanic sites. Visitors can look forward to diving along pristine coral reefs and World War II wrecks, observing the traditional culture of the local tribesmen in the Highlands, or exploring remote villages along the spectacular 550-mile Sepik River. Aside from the dizzying array of diverse ethnic groups, one of the prime attractions is the island's unique ecosystem which is home to an some unusual wildlife such as tree-climbing kangaroos and the much celebrated birds of paradise. Still steeped in mysticism, Papua New Guinea remains one of the most remote and intriguing destinations in the world. It makes an ideal destination for intrepid travellers seeking a wild adventure into one of the world’s final frontiers.
Mount Hagen is a city in the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, overlooking the enthralling Waghi Valley. The area is home to the Melpa people who, in the face of ever-encroaching modernity, continue to live largely traditional subsistence lifestyles. The town’s population doubles to 50 000 for the Mount Hagen Show, an annual dance festival where costumed locals come from all over the country to represent their tribe in an extravagant sing- and dance-off. Those not lucky enough to visit during these annual festivities can get a taste of the action at the Mount Hagen market, a bustling meeting place filled with colourful fruits, scurrying chickens. Don’t miss The Baiyer River Wildlife Sanctuary just north of Mount Hagen, which is one of the best places to see Papua New Guinea’s famous birds of paradise.
The Sepik River is Papua New Guinea's longest river and one of its largest, supporting a rich ecological system. The lush tropical jungle, rolling mountains and wide waterway here are reminiscent of Amazonia, and the region has an equally captivating heritage and superb biodiversity of wildlife. Rustic riverside villages built of natural materials and warm, welcoming people who still practise age old rituals and traditions. It is possible to visit some of these remote outposts to experience their rich culture, and peruse some of their unique weavings, carvings and other handicrafts. Birdwatchers will be in their element here, with such rare and exotic species as the blue bird of paradise and the fire maned bowerbird to be spotted.
Also known as Pom Town, Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea. The city is comprised of a diverse collection of spread-out neighbourhoods, from modern office areas and a glitzy marina full of yachts to sprawling shanty towns. While the capital’s star attraction is the small peaceful Loloata Island, where wallabies still hop freely, other popular attractions include the National Museum and Art Gallery, home to one of the world’s best primitive art collections, and the National Capital Botanical Gardens, filled with birds of paradise, cassowaries and tree kangaroos. Don’t miss the traditional stilt villages of Hanuabada Poreporena on the outskirts of the city, which perch precariously over the water's edge.
Port Moresby is primarily the arrival and departure point for all travel in and around PNG, and some routes necessitate a return to Port Moresby airport and an onward connection.
New Britain is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago, which lies off the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea. A scenic region of vibrant cultures, billowing volcanos, lush forests and what Jacques Cousteau described as ‘the best diving areas in the world’, New Britain will appeal most to adventurous travellers and outdoor enthusiasts. The island is divided into two regions: East New Britain, home to World War II relics, shipwrecks and active volcanoes near the port-city of Rabaul; and West New Britain, whose capital is the buzzing seaside city of Kimbe. Don’t miss the Volcanology Observatory in Rabaul, while Kokopo boasts some interesting attractions that give insight into Papua New Guinea’s colonial history. There are, finally, many excellent dive sites spread around the island, with gorgeous coral reefs and fascinating shipwrecks to explore.
As previously described
