Welcoming Orchid

This is another orchid I have seen at the nursery of the National Capital Botanical Garden recently. I reckon it is Dendrobium species, but not sure about the name...
What made me interested was that the flower looks like a "person is bowing down for the visitor, with hands open to hug you." So I decided to call it ""Welcoming orchid." - sorry if there is any other common name already exists !!
There are more than 3,000 species of orchid in Papua New Guinea, which accounts for more than 2/3rd of all the orchids in the world, and they are waiting to "Welcome" your visit.

Jelly Bean or Passion Fruit ?

The other day, I have found a funny-shaped orchid - Dendrobium smilliae - in the botanical garden. Well, this orchid was "found" in 19th century, so it is not "new" spices but the shape of the flower is very unique compared to other orchids.
For me, the seeds resembles like the inside of a tropical fruit so I named it "Passion Fruit Orchid".



However later, I found that it is called "Jelly Bean Orchid" by village children.



I have looked at pictures but I still support my idea of "Passion Fruit Orchid"......
What do you think ??

Cancellation of 49th Morobe Show

It is regretted that due to cholera outbreak, this year's Morobe show which was scheduled for 31st Oct & 1st Nov is now cancelled.

With the support of many business houses in the province, Morobe Show has been one of the most successful shows in the country, and as far as I know, it has never been cancelled in its long history since 1959.

It affects many tourists who have booked the tour for a long time but the decison was made due to the health concern and we asked understaning of the guests.

Show will definetely come back in 2010, on 23rd & 24th OCT.

Pacific Cup Rugby in Papua New Guinea

Pacific Cup Rugby Championship is on the way in Port Moresbty and we have Fiji National Team "Batis" at Gateway Hotel. Here is the snap shot with the Batis members.
Batis members were so friendly and now the samll boy is at a loss whether to support his own National team "Kumul" or Fiji "Batis"......

Tsunami panic

After huge earthquakes hit Vanuatu islands yesterday morning (local time), Tsunami alert was sent across the pacific island countries including Papua New Guinea.

Being our memory still fresh after Samoa Tsunami disaster in late September, people are rushing out of downtown Port Moresby for higher area.

I was in a meeting in one office in downtown and around 1040hrs, I was told to vacate the building because of Tsunami alert, some even saying that Tsunami has already hit neighbouring Solomon Islands and on its way to PNG !!

Later I came back to office to find out that there was no Tsunami, and the alert was cancelled at 1018hrs, some minutes before I was told to vacate the building.

Most of the offices, including Banks and schools were closed for the day, even after the Tsunami alert was cancelled as most of the staff has gone home and never returned....

Thanks a million - Goroka Show

Goroka show has finished with huge success this year.
This was not possible without the support of the business houses, goverment body and individulas who tried to support the show from their heart.
And not forgetting the people who made a visit all the way to Goroka to see the show from all over the world. Because of you, we could make an effort until last minutes to sustain the show.
The show will be bigger & bettwe next year.
For those came this year, we would like to see you again next year, and for those missed 2009 Goroka show, it is not too late to start a booking for 2010 !!