Air Niugini started flying to three new destinations recently, and in this latest issue of Paradise we have stories about them all.
The new destinations – Pohnpei and Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Townsville in Australia – offer diverse experiences.
Surfers (who can carry their boards for free on Air Niugini flights) are making a beeline for Pohnpei, which is home to the world-famous surf break called P Pass.
I was lucky enough to visit laidback Pohnpei on Air Niugini’s first flight and not only saw the incredible waves, but also the ancient ruins of Nan Madol, which were recently recognised with a World Heritage listing.
We also went to jungle waterfalls, saw World War 2 relics and mixed with the very friendly locals over a few drinks of the local brew sakau.
Meanwhile, Roderick Eime, the 2016 winner of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award for Travel Journalism, writes about the World War 2 history and great wreck diving in Chuuk’s Truk Lagoon.
There are more than 100 ships, planes and submarines at the bottom of the lagoon that attracts divers from all over the world.
Lonely Planet writer Tamara Sheward profiles Townsville for us.
“The city has brilliant beaches, family friendly facilities, an island paradise and unspoiled reef just offshore,” she says.
There’s a good food scene happening in Townsville, however the Far North Queensland city is not the only place to have a food renaissance.
A restaurant revolution has been taking place in Port Moresby and we have a story about some of the hottest new places to eat among the 20+ that have opened in the past 12 months.
For our regular hotel review, we journey to PNG’s second-largest city, Lae, and check in at the Crossroads Transit Hotel that is popular with corporate travellers.
Happy reading and flying.
Robert Upe, Editor
Paradise Magazine, March/April 2017