While concerned that negative comments may impact upon those who don’t deserve it, saying nothing allows the management and ownership to get away with a lack of real care. While Tawali is run by friendly and caring staff, there is a down-at-heal aspect to the place, which aggravates. For Tawali, in common with most accommodation in PNG, is not inexpensive. While the rooms are pleasant enough, they lack what would be best called homeliness. Little in the way of touches to make them other than apartments for the repose of the body. They are kept clean and were certainly pleasant enough, with verandahs overlooking Milne Bay, ceiling fans, A/C, bar fridge and an electric jug. The bathroom was adequate, yet mine could not manage to be provided with hot water for the entire 7 nights I was there. Many were the explanations, all pointing to the fault being elsewhere, the difficulty of supply in PNG, and anything which amounted to excuse. This without rectification of the problem, despite workmen climbing on the roof and in the ceiling space.
The exterior of the buildings are in slow decay. Bargeboards and fascias continue to rot, and spoutings fall askew, spewing rain water with deluge. A railing on the walkway to my room remained fallen down throughout my stay, and the boardwalks which connect all bungalows to the main complex were everywhere patched and rotting. Signs were erected to warn pedestrians about the slippery nature of these walkways, rather than real attempts to overcome this.
Food at Tawali is ordinary, if plentiful. The chef is a cook, and lazy. Seen on his phone much of the time, sitting about the main area. The meals, served in the bain-maries, rarely are hot, and are all versions of the what was presented yesterday.
The diving around Tawali is spectacular, although a little too much muck diving for my liking. Whenever divers with expensive, underwater cameras appeared for the days diving, my heart sank, as it meant the majority of the dive would be searching above areas of volcanic sand, for microscopic life to add to their photographic collection. But when we did get to the coral ravines and the drop offs, it was worth the effort in getting to the area, and Tawali does involve a few connections and transfers.
After arranging to get from POM to Gurney, the road trip from the airport was 90 minutes, albeit through picturesque countryside, and then there was a 20 minute boat ride.
A well maintained pool area was a pleasant diversion, and the activities around the locality likewise. The village walk past thatched houses with coconut palm roofs, banana plantations and taro gardens yielded a sense of timeless romance. No fibro cement in sight was a delight! Village life as it was in the beginning.
Tawali may find apathy its undoing, unless some real care and money is put into bringing it back up to standard, and introducing point of difference. For this is my second trip to PNG, and I will not return to Tawali, given a far better experience elsewhere, and Milne Bay offering alternatives.
