Australian-based budget airline Virgin Blue is exploding its flight coverage and has just announced a deal that's going to see low cost carriers flying into relatively untapped market Papua New Guinea.

In a slightly confusing collaboration with Pacific Blue and Airlines PNG, Virgin Blue is offering four return flights a week between Brisbane and Port Moresby, starting from November. They're starting out with sale fares of A$249 ($200) and the regular budget price will stay under A$300 (one-way).

That's cheap enough to see a lot more tourist interest in Papua New Guinea, we reckon. Bring on Elvis and the giant rats: We're off to PNG.

Related Stories:
· Virgin Blue Joins Forces With Airlines PNG [Peanuts]
· Virgin Blue Flies into Virgin West Oz Territory [Jaunted]
· Papua New Guinea Travel Guide [Jaunted]

[Photo: kabl1992]]]> amandak 2008-09-11T09:30:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/12/27/85645/644

Sometimes our world seems so small, and yet sometimes we can be amazed by new discoveries of animals or even people that we never knew existed. That's what's been making Papua New Guinea an increasingly popular tourist destination of late, along with the fact that those New Guineans are so relaxed.

The most recent news out of PNG is the discovery of a giant rat. Now, we don't really like rats at the best of times, and a rat that's five times larger than the normal variety sounded kind of scary. But actually this picture makes the Mallomys giant rat seem kinda cute.

A recent Conservation International expedition actually discovered a second species of mammal as well, a kind of pygmy possum never before seen. Nice to know there are still some places in the world without cell phone reception and fast food franchises, although you never know if a Kentucky Fried Rat chain will be next on the scene.

Related Stories:
· Giant Rat Found in "Lost Worlds" [BBC]
· Pop Into PNG: They're Relaxed! [Jaunted]

[Photo: BBC]]]> amandak 2007-12-27T09:50:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/7/15/8310/59681

They say great surfing, beautiful beaches and the idea of being somewhere a bit undiscovered are the three main appeals of Papua New Guinea, yet even Aussies, who live right next door, rarely visit. Just give it time, of course, and it'll be tourists galore, so we recommend scheduling your PNG trip soon.

The PNG Tourism Promotion Authority have really been working hard lately to drum up enthusiasm for this oft overlooked destination. Although we've just missed the game fishing championships, we're not too late to catch the International Orchid Spectacular running 5-6 August. Or you might want to try diving, fishing, trekking, surfing or birdwatching.

We especially like the relaxed approach of Papua New Guineans, and their website even tells us what clothes to wear: "Informal and casual with shorts and open neck shirts throughout the year". That's gotta be a country just waiting for holiday-makers.

Related Stories:
· PNG's Untouched Paradise [Jaunted]
· Papua New Guinea Travel Stories [Jaunted]
· Hotels in Papua New Guinea [HotelChatter]

[Photo: kahunapulej] ]]> amandak 2007-07-20T08:23:22-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/3/7/23019/98693

While you probably all thought Vegas or Hollywood were the places to go if you want to see famous people, we're about to explain that it's really the remote mountain highlands in Papua New Guinea that you should be heading for. That's because not just Elvis, but a few others like Tom Jones and various kings and queens, are registered as living in PNG and ready to vote in the next election.

Confused? So were PNG government officials when they discovered that voter registration rates in five of the most remote provinces in PNG are well over 100%. That's when they checked the list and found, in fact, more than one Elvis Presley, and all the rest. Getting into this rugged countryside to confirm the list is proving difficult, so Elvis, if you are really alive, you're within your legal rights to rock up to vote in the next PNG election. And Elvis-spotting tours should head south.

[Photo: Silfverduk]

Related Stories:
· PNG All Shook Up By Elvis Ghost Voters [Reuters]
· Fake Names On PNG Rolls [Washington Times] ]]> amandak 2007-03-07T09:52:23-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/1/18/13851/7809
Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is expanding its footing in Papua New Guinea. Even the tour-averse (and we are) should take note, because PNG is a place where it couldn't hurt to travel with an escort. While we'd basically run free in Rio, we might not do the same in Port Moresby

In addition to the "Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea" tour, A&K is offering "The Nature Conservancy: Papua New Guinea" this June for a cool $5,192. The itinerary covers places like Port Moresby, Mt. Hagen, Ambua, and Kimbe Bay, and it's lead by an expert from the Nature Conservancy. This one sounds strictly for the most outdoorsy among us, though the "monkey-faced flying foxes" you'll supposedly spot could be enough to lure anyone.

A&K also offers private packages in PNG for those who need some assistance but limited social interaction. Going at it completely alone is also an option, but you will need some balls.

[Photo: Eric Lafforgue]]]> djk 2007-01-18T13:08:51-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/10/19/62921/612
This year luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent introduced a new flavor of trip to its group of travel "series." The "Explorer Series" promises "real, rugged exploration" in "remote" destinations, for the "truly adventurous." A&K will book you into luxury where it lives, but with the Explorer Series, they'll also be ready to stuff you into a yurt if that's what's available. Though we are tour skeptics ourselves, we did love that 50 Tours of a Lifetime feature in National Geographic Traveler.

We are also gonna go ahead and tentatively endorse A&K's Papua New Guinea tour, which is one of the last Explorer packages listed on their website for 2007. That's one trip we'd rather take escorted. PNG is not a place where you want to risk getting sliced up, period. Here's a run-down of how they're packaging it:

Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea: Sixteen days through Madang, Mt. Hagen and, um, Port Moresby. Emphasis on culture and nature walks. You will "learn about the diversity of the country and its people through theboundless assortment of tribal art, ritual masks, and statues." You will take a charter flight over glorious, rugged landscapes. You will be in a group of "10-16," which means "16, but 10 sounds better." You will also get to veg out here--add one to the beach lust file. Prices start at a cool $7,990, not including airfare.

[Photo: Eric Lafforgue]

Related Stories:
· Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea [A&K]
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