WES T E R N P R O VI N C E : T H E G UI D E
Western Province: the guide The breathtaking Hindenburg Wall in the Star Mountains has been proposed for UNESCO World Heritage listing Credit: Rocky Roe
Some practical tips and advice for the visitor. ACCOMMODATION Accommodation in Western Province is fairly basic by international standards. At the same time, the current surge in economic activity means that rooms are also scarce, so make sure you make your reservation early and reconfirm before you travel. The best options in the three largest urban centres are below. Note that internet access is not generally available but credit cards are accepted.
Tabubil Cloudlands (tel +675 548 9277, email cloudlands@online.net. pg): neat, clean rooms and cable TV, plus a decent restaurant. TE Palace (tel +675 548 9108): owned by Tabubil Engineering, the units at the back are spacious and self-contained.
Kiunga Kiunga Guesthouse (tel +675 649 1188, email bookings@ gh.ningerum.com.pg): the social hub of Kiunga, with plenty of rooms, a restaurant and adjacent store. Plans are afoot to add 28 new units plus a cafĂŠ.
Daru The New Century Hotel (tel +675 645 9169, email newcentury@ msn.com), Crows Nest (tel +675 645 9485) Kuki Guesthouse (tel +675 645 9476, email kuki@daltron.com. pg) all provide clean ensuite rooms and in-house dining.
Note: Ok Tedi Mining Limited also has guesthouses in Tabubil and Kiunga for its own visitors.
Balimo Balimo Guest House (tel +675 275 6707) is owned by Biyama Trading.
CLIMATE Much of the province, including Kiunga, experiences the warm, tropical climate typical of most of PNG. However, Western Province’s size and topographical diversity means that its climate can vary greatly depending on where you go. An extreme example is Tabubil which, at 520m above sea level, receives a massive eight metres of rain annually, an average of just 2.4 hours of sun per day, and can at times be cool.
COMMUNICATIONS The Western Province Communications Project (see page 20) has brought 3G mobile technology to just about every pocket of Western Province. At this stage, Digicel is the only carrier to have installed its kit in the network of towers, although this is expected to change in due course. Bemobile mobile phones work in the three main towns.
Internet Wireless internet, via a USB modem, is now available via Digicel.
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