However, our flight from Port Moresby to Kavieng stopped in Rabaul, and 13 of our 15 bags were unloaded there. We got them a day later. On the next segment we flew Kavieng to Rabaul, and then Rabaul to Hoskins. We counted our bags onto the flight to make sure they were all loaded, and then watched as they were unloaded. They tried to close up and leave with 12 of the bags still on - we had to beg them to open the other compartment before they would unload them.
Advice is to whereever possible watch baggage being loaded and unloaded.
Be warned though that some of the national pilots resent this - and will threaten to have you arrested. Now that the warnings are out of the way, its time to concentrate on the good stuff - the diving and the resorts. Kavieng is the provincial capital of New Ireland, one of PNG's island provinces. From Port Moresby, you fly on an Air Niugini jet service that stops in Rabaul, in all its about a 2 hour flight from Moresby. Kavieng is a sleepy town with one of the most beautiful harbour settings you could imagine, looking out over Nusa Island.