Cara Siera

Our trip could be labeled volunteering since the primary purpose of the trip was to serve. “Voluntourism” - tourist travel with a volunteering component - has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to make travel more meaningful and give back to the places visited. 

"Once you begin bird-watching, no street, sky, or forest ever looks the same: Birds are everywhere, and their comings and goings tell stories most humans aren’t attuned to."

To outsiders, New Guinea is most often known as the home of bird of paradise species, whose unique feathers and elaborate mating dances feature in many nature documentaries. But the capital city of Port Moresby has an unfortunate reputation for crime and unrest, and strong travel advisories have restricted many areas of the country for years. Yet, the wild and rare beauty of PNG’s ecology tempt some - myself included - to make t

I hate to admit it, but when we booked our trip, I didn’t even know where to find Papua New Guinea on the map. Our travel companions had selected the destination. But in the months leading up to our departure, I began to fall in love with a place that was extremely difficult to find accurate information on.

I never thought solo travel was for me. I spent my childhood adventuring with my parents and other family members. When I got married, I relished the thought of a lifetime travel companion. How often we have regaled with stories of road trips with friends.