Think of the antithesis of Japan. A place where there are few people, an abundance of unspoiled natural beauty, a low standard of living and, perhaps most importantly for the visitor, sparkling blue oceans teeming with fish and alive with coral reefs.
Japan -- one of the most expensive countries in the world. Papua New Guinea -- a place where $10 will buy you a three-course meal, a round of golf complete with caddy, or, if you have the connections, the death of your worst enemy. It's a place where life is cheap, but the lifestyle is luxurious.
The expats in Lae, a small city some 30 minutes flight from the capital, Port Moresby, believe they have the best of both worlds. This city is small enough to avoid a lot of the crime that is rampant in places like Port Moresby and the highland city of Mount Hagan, yet big enough to offer the facilities which make life so comfortable in this tropical wilderness. A selection of fine restaurants, an immaculately groomed golf course and a bustling marina that gives access to the nearby Huon Gulf make this city a mecca for the sports lover.
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