Satisfied that most of our questions were answered…

Air? Air is usually the major part of travel costs especially flying such a great distance. We combined Tasmania, Australia and New Guinea into one trip, starting in Australia, trekking the Overland Track in Tasmania and flying to New Guinea via Brisbane, Australia. Extremely complicated and you’ll just have to see what works best for you. There are air connections via Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Phillipines and Hong Kong on Air Niugini, and, of course, you first have to get to wherever you are connecting from!

Travel Insurance? Never travel without it. Other do…we don’t. It’s taken a long time to save for this vacation, and only a second to ruin. Purchase Travel insurance through Travel Guard Travel insurance starting at $30

Health? We’re talking jungle here…Malaria pills again. Our drug of choice is Lariam, (Mefloquine is the generic). (We prefer the once-a-week Lariam to the once-a-day Malarone - but it’s your decision). I always check the Centers for Disease Control updates to see what they suggest.

Clothing? It was going to be hot and steamy. Lightweight clothing, long shorts, some longer pants, nothing too revealing (even though some of the tribes would be running around almost completely naked), sun hat, etc. No fancy clothes required.

Visa? A 60-day Tourist Visa is available on arrival in Port Moresby at a fee of K100.00. To obtain a visa before you enter the country costs K75.00. The Kina is currently trading around 3 Kina to $1 U.S. Dollar.

Our Tour? The packaged “New Guinea Potpourri” included a 3-night stay on the comfortable MV Sepik Spirit, visiting the Highlands, hotels, transfers, domestic air sections, three meals a day, and all sightseeing.

With all that settled, we were a little nervous, but ready for a unique adventure….