It's a man's world in Papua New Guinea.

It's a man's world in Papua New Guinea! One of our main reasons for visiting PNG was to see the famed Goroka show. Thousands of the locals in their traditional garb flock to the show and sing and dance, one of the world's most spectacular sights. The young and unmarried women are paraded view to remedying their single status. Virtually nothing is left to the imagination. (And no, they don't wear bras and knickers under their grass skirts!) When one makes the mental leap, the woman look splendid in their tribal finery and paint. The men are also pretty impressive. You wont see gear like this anywhere else in the world.

Women don't have a very good deal in PNG. If you see one you fancy, you go and see her father and negotiate a "bride price". It amounts to out and out purchase. Prices range between Ł3000 and Ł6000 depending on how well educated she is as this will effect her earning potential. However you don't have to pay out all up front, a small deposit is all you need and you can take her away. If she's not pregnant within a year, you can bring her back and get a refund. (Her fault naturally!) Anything she might earn, you can keep and spend as you see fit. If there's an attitude problem, it's normal (though actually illegal) to beat her with a stick. The government runs campaigns from time to time to remind the male population about this law. She's normally expected to work in the garden (several acres), have one child a year and may have a wage earning job as well. The men on the other hand have a very indolent and laid back existence. Many spend most of their time sat about in the street. Men can have several wives, depending on how much ground they have needs cultivating.

Not surprisingly, many women have an ambition to marry an Englishman or an Australian, I was propositioned several times. (The Englishman respects his wife I was told.) For a single man, it would be well worth considering. Many ex-pats are married to local girls, it's hard to imagine where one could find a more desireable woman!

The Polynesians from the coastal areas are an especially handsome people. Many of the women are drop dead gorgeous.

Many women are educated in order to enhance the "bride price", this means in practice that they are talented and interesting and entertaining to talk to, many of the men on the other hand are mental dwarves. Until now I had never realised just how much an education affects ones outlook and convesational abilities. If you want to know anything or get anything done in Papua New Guinea, ask a woman. This applies in the bank, in the hotel or on the street.