subject: Uniquely Papua New Guinea [print this page] Uniquely Papua New Guinea Uniquely Papua New Guinea
Giving its visitors sites that are different and uniquely theirs, Papua New Guinea is tainted with landscapes far from what people have imagined. A memorable stop, this third world country offers us a view of mountains that are enveloped with fogs like islands in the clouds 180,508 square miles and 4.5 million residents make up this island nation situation just north of the East Coast of Australia. Snorkeling, diving, rainforest trekking, and the culture are some of the many adventures one can encounter in Papua New Guinea.
Folks in this country do not use their native costumes for everyday living, rather when plays are put up or during significant times of the year is when they don these clothes. An eventful sight like the mud men and the Chimbu players exhibit new experiences to tourists. 40,000 people journey to this place yearly seeking new experiences that will last them a lifetime.
There are more than 750 native languages in Papua New Guinea. The official language, however, taught in school and used in the government, is English.
It was deemed that Papua New Guinea was populated by Asians more than 50,000 years ago. Paying this place a visit was a Portuguese explorer who was the one who named it Ilahas dos Papuas or the Island of the Fuzzy Hair. It was called New Guinea later by a Spanish explorer since the people was reminiscent of Guinea in Africa.
Making our way to the highlands in Papua New Guinea where we went hiking, looked into local markets, mingle with the locals and riding their transports was a different adventure. We stayed at a lodge that was through a dirt road from Mount Hagen about six miles named house of friends in English. Every day a generator is turned on from 6 to 9 am and from 5 to 11 pm to provide electricity. Everyday wood would be burned to provide hot showers. Climate is characterized as wet in Papua New Guinea so experiencing rain falls during the afternoon was nice making up for the warmer day. Mosquitoes are known to be harmful to people especially if they carry diseases so in a place where the weather shifts many times, it was imperative that we took safety measures.
It was only 62 years ago that Mount Hagen saw its first white man which makes this place enthralling. Three Australian brothers, ventured into the Highlands in 1938, the first white men to explore the interior or highlands of Papua New Guinea. They not only struck gold, but found nearly 1 million natives. Thus far, these primal individuals were concealed from knowing that another world much like theirs was alive.
It is amazing to realize that in just six decades, these people have gone from native dress and traditional customs, to westernized clothing, religious beliefs and commercialization. Cities in Papua New Guinea have somehow incorporated the western culture with theirs but their traditions are safe as some areas like the rural one still practice them. Many people go by the simply day to day life, residing in huts.
After a while we ultimately made our way to a friend's place found at the farthest end of the mountain. Buoyant and useful our host is not new to Papua New Guinea having lived here all her life. She now makes a small living on the mountainside with her husband.
