I have spent a great deal of time traveling and living in East Asia. There are several places I consider more-or-less as second homes. I thought that I was familiar with every nation in the region. I'd always forget one, though: Papua New Guinea. With a reputation amongst foreigners as a dangerous, it is not usually considered a destination by tourists. Naturalists, anthropologists, and adventurers might have a go at some of the jungle areas, searching out colorful birds or isolated tribes, but, beyond a few National Geographic specials, I have not seen much on the region.

I do know from several Australians that the capital city of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, is the wild west of East Asia. Both thugs (known as raskols) and crocodiles could potentially put a damper on any sightseeing plans you might have.

There is a highly recommended Botanical Garden, a decent Golf Club, and a few nice hotels, but little else to make the rather pricey airline ($700 from Oz, $500-600 from Singapore) ticket worthwhile.

Still, if you are seeking out Asia's Wild West (or wild east, as it were), you'll find it in Port Moresby.