What was your BEST exotic collecting trip?

[trehopr1]

In my life thus far I have managed to make 3 exotic forays to other countries for the sole purpose of collecting. I have collected Western Ecuador, the lowland rainforest of Bolivia (Sud Yungas), as well as Southwestern Dominican Republic. You really never know how a trip may turn out until you have done it. So many things can go wrong. Of the three places I've managed I would have to say my very BEST was Western Ecuador in May.
For the day collector of butterflies it was really pretty good. Lots of variety in Nymphalidae of all sorts. But, the thing that absolutely "slayed me" was the night collecting using Merc.Vap.Lights. Unbelievable volume of all kinds and literally ALL night long! I only stayed a week at the time. But, because I was trying to collect both day and night I was literally "toast" by the 4th day. Also, I ran through my supply of envelopes and was forced to start making them myself.
It came to be quite a learning experience for me (being my first foreign trip). So I came better prepared and all the wiser on my next 2 trips. Unfortunately, those later trips saw far less numbers as the weather and conditions just were not there.
So, if you are ever able to travel abroad for collecting friends consider Ecuador in May. You will not be disappointed and you too may find yourself very much overwhelmed as I did. 
If anyone else has a good place and time of year to tell us all about than please --- chime in.

[wollastoni]

Interesting topic !

I would say West Papua for me.
For many reasons : the pristine forests, the incredible richness in butterflies (more than 10 species of Delias in the same spot), the remoteness, the local tribes (rather friendly but impressive), the adventure (you are really in the middle of nowhere on a Papuan mountain), the rarity of some species (there you can find and describe new species), walking on the paths of AS Meek or the Pratt brothers, the good spirit with my ALF colleagues, the excellent Indonesian food, Ornithoptera and Delias flying ...

Few pictures to convince you



















More pictures on the ALF website.

[trehopr1]

Wow, that's one heck of an adventure that you managed to go on wollastoni. Probably the epitome of exotic collecting locations. I have long considered New Guinea and the Solomons literally the "lost world" of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. What a privilege to go to such a place !
How in the heck was your group ever able to secure permits to such a place? And were your permits limited in scope? Also, what kind of outfits offer group travel with permits included? Just idle curiosity....

[wollastoni]

Permits is indeed a tough thing for New Guinea, nearly impossible for PNG and very tough for West Papua.

Our trip has been organised by a recognised association, the ALF, with an Indonesian travel agency. It helps a lot.
Then as LIPI permits never arrive on time, or complete, andso on... there is always a part of "risk". But people who want a risk-free collecting trip do NOT choose New Guinea as a destination, do they ?

I would add that you can go there with all necessary permits, it will worth nothing to an angry Papuan chief or a corrupted Indonesian army checkpoints, not talking about the Free Papua insurrection groups.

And we have crossed about 20 different Papuan villages and about 5 military checkpoints during our trip.

So the most important thing you need to go to West Papua is a good Indonesian guide who will hire a good Papuan guide. Without both, you can face strong problems there.

FYI I am currently working with a European Museum a way to organize another trip to West Papua with Indonesian authorizations for 2017.

I would let other people like chrisd talk about PNG that they know better than me.