Png Safety

[Pawsaboard]

I was recently told that PNG ranks pretty high in unsafe travel destinations. Can anyone give me more information on this? Is it safe for Americans to go there and have there been any problems on the live aboards?

 

[caymaniac]

I have never heard that PNG is unsafe and I have been to two resorts and a liveaboard in PNG. At Loloata near Port Moresby we had two DM's who left us go on our own but would point out creatures for us when we didn't see them. Also when on the Star Dancer (out of New Britain at Walindi) I would like to say it was as safe as any body or place I have dove with, and that goes for Walindi as well. The most unsafe place I've been is Mexico,Cozumel to be specific.

 

[alijtaylor]

Do you mean as a diving destination or as a general travel destination? The latest Asia Pacific Dan Divers magazine arrived in my mail box yesterday and PNG has minimal numbers of recorded DCI treatments and one recorded scuba (or snorkling) death over the last 3 years.

As a general travel destination there is a lot of bad press about. Many divers virtually fly directly to their dive destination and back home maybe overnighting in the Port Moresby airport hotels, which are perfectly secure.

I thoroughly enjoyed my three weeks holiday in PNG before diving there. I was travelling as a solo woman and met many others travelling by themselves who had all managed to stay safe. I took advice from the locals and avoided the one province that had a reputation at that time for serious unrest (Southern Highlands). I put a report here and some website photos are here.

Yes there is some crime but it is generally directed at other locals. If you are sensible it is a fascinating place to visit. I don't think Americans have to deal with any more issues than any other nationality.

Cheers


Alison

 

[almitywife]

Port Moresby itself can be unsafe..... i dont recommend wandering around after hours on your own but once you get out of the capital and out to the outter islands/resorts/liveaboard you will have no problems and will be very safe

enjoy!!

 

[silent running]

Port Moresby itself can be unsafe..... i dont recommend wandering around after hours on your own but once you get out of the capital and out to the outter islands/resorts/liveaboard you will have no problems and will be very safe

enjoy!!

My sentiments exactly. I would add that there is almost no reason to venture out after 9PM in any of the "larger" PNG cities, other than a medical emergency. So enjoy a good night's rest at the hotel.

US State department would also tell you never to ride your bike without shoes if it was within their purview... -Andy

 

[Cacia]

I am not saying it is true.

BUT

This flight attendant who spends several months a year in Palau..and I have seen her there a few..told me some pretty gastly stories.

She said that people in hotels were having to be locked in at night?

I did hear some rumors about pirates too.

and cannibals.

which feeds right into my machete phobia.

 

[Diver Dennis]

AAAAAAAKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!

"They" are the government I presume. I am diving in Asia for 3 months and "they" have deemed almost everywhere I've gone as "unsafe". It is common sense to stay out of the seedy parts of town at night and not to get drunk in a local bar and start a fight. Iraq is unsafe.

I'm in Yap Catherine and except for the Alien invasion, they said we will live if we assimilate, the diving has been great...

 

[cdiver2]

I am not saying it is true.

BUT

This flight attendant who spends several months a year in Palau..and I have seen her there a few..told me some pretty gastly stories.

She said that people in hotels were having to be locked in at night?

I did hear some rumors about pirates too.

and cannibals.

which feeds right into my machete phobia.

Catherine I had dinner with the Airways Hotel manager (Australian) . He explained, the eight foot fence around the hotel with guard on the gate was to stop staff stealing things and then selling them at the local flea market. Nothing big just stuff like knifes and forks bottles of wine, he looked very sad when he told me about seeing a $100 bottle of wine for sale at the market for $3. He said they have no idea of the cost of things. He was also living outside the hotel with a local girl.

 

[caymaniac]

He said they have no idea of the cost of things. He was also living outside the hotel with a local girl.

Those two sentences say alot....

 

[Cacia]

yes, I can imagine.

I know there are stories that circulate...I hear them, cause I eat them up, loving the drama.

I want to go to PNG very badly.

I lived in St Thomas in the 80's where the murder rate exceeded Harlem. It was dangerous but did not really have that reputation.