Between the Tradition and Development

The city of Port Moresby is changing very fast. Lots of New Hotels, Apartment Houses, Shopping Centres and Office Buildings are being built under the name of Development.
Here you can see the new Harbor City Development site, with new ANZ bank headquarter, New Executive Apartment and land reclamation site for further construction.
Right at back of it is Hanuabada village of Motuan people; life not much changed for hundreds of years since they have built the village on the water after migrating from other pacific islands.
It is a clear contrast of tradition and Development facing each other.
Everybody wishes for a comfortable modern life but if you believe in development and chase for it, you will lose your identity forever. Papua New Guinea is one of the last countries in the world which still keeps its own identity but it may have gone very soon....
Nobody knows where this country is heading for.

Parasitic Plants

Parasitic Plants are type of plants that lives on other plants.

Here in tropical climate, we can see a lot of parasitic plants on the trunk or branch of a large tree. It is amazing how different plants live together under a "house" of usually larger "Host Plant".The photo was taken at NCD Botanical Garden in Port Moresby.

By the way, I thought that Orchids were also parasitic.
But, according to the expert, none of the orchids are parasitic.
"In nature, many orchids cling to trees and bushes as a growth habit; but they take nothing from the host plant and do not injure it in any way. Orchids that can grow on trees are called epiphytes or, more commonly, air plants" ---- from website of "Orchid House"

LNG project

(Project image by PNG LNG project)

No single day passes without hearing about "LNG Project" in Papua New Guinea these days.

It is US$15 Billion project joint venture led by Exxon Mobil to commercialize the gas reserve in Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea and connect it via Pipeline to the plant near Port Moresby. The gas will be cooled there to its liquid state at very cold temperature - "minus 160 Celsius" and shipped out overseas for export.

From politicians, businessmen to local villagers, everybody is talking about LNG Project which is said to bring economy up and thus to improve the life of every Papua New Guinean.

Well, I also wish it would happen, but at the same time would not be surprised if things get worse or nothing good would happen.

Clear example is everywhere - 20 Years of Oil export did not have positive economic impact for the majority of the Southern Highlanders, and what Gold production has changed the life of Western Province people or Misima island people ?

I don't want to see another Bougainville crisis - a civil war originated from world class Copper mine. I wish fair and transparent government will share the benefit of the LNG project via improved service delivery system.

Only Historian of the future generation would tell if LNG project was the right answer for PNG.

New Restaurant Open at Gateway Hotel

After a long construction period, work is almost completed at Gateway Hotel.
One of the latest features is the new "Wild Orchid Restaurant", which replaces the old "Ani Ani Brassiere". The new Restaurant is much spacious, brighter and comfortable.
If you come to Port Moresby, please try a Wild Orchid Restaurant.

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 ??

Traditions must go on

Young Theresa was among the Dancers when German TV crew visited Gaire village outside of Port Moresby. She got an instant tattoo on her body & face painted, dressed up in Grass skirt with shell necklaces, and swang her body to the rhythm of the Kundu Drum.
While Western influence is coming to the villages, she learns how to dance at young age and tradition will be passed onto next generations.... Yes, Traditions must go on !

Family trip to Loloata

Who said Port Moresby is one of the worst cities in the world ?
Off course there are problems from time to time, just like any other big cities in the world, whether be London, New York, Amsterdam or Paris. But we are living here, going to work and shopping, kids going to school, and on holiday, visiting place like Loloata Island for a relaxisation & fun.


Ready for Snorkeling at "Lion Island"

Afternoon walking up the hill (Loloata means "One Hill" in local Motuan language) to the end of the island until we see "Danger" sign.

After a tiring day, Dinner time !!

Loloata island is located in the middle of great coral reefs, where many scuba divers come from all over the world, but is a place for fun for local residents as well.

PAU Birding site - Port Moresby

PAU is one of the Universities in Papua New Guinea run by Adventist Church, but is also known as a Birdwatcher's heaven outside of Port Moresby.

With its peaceful environment, birds enjoy their life without being killed or chased away. There are lots of waterbirds, including endemic species as well as migrant species, all the way from Alaska, on the way to Australia and Antarctica maybe.

Photographed are common species, Pied Heron, Purple Swamphen & Wandering Ducks.

Other species frequent in the area are Comb-Crested Jacana, Spotted Whistling Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Rufous Night Heron, Egrets & Cormorants, Masked Lapwing, Sacred Kingfisher, etc...

My favorite is giant Papuan Frog Mouth, most of the time camoflouged and sleep on one of the trees.

Never too old to..

On my last visit to Porebada village outside of Port Moresby, we have made a surprise visit to Bubu (Grandmother) Morea. After the visit, we have realized that the tape has been damaged and we have decided to visit her again in the afternoon.

Maybe she was not happy in the morning because she was not prepared to be in the film.

On our second visit in the afternoon, she had a shower and changed to a new meri-brouse to be on a film. Look at the nice smile ! Yes, you are never too old to look for a new ..... ?

Craft Market

Ela Beach Craft Market is held on last Saturdays of the months (Feb-Nov). It was originally started for the expatriate residents of Port Moresby using the school yard of the International School. There is no market in Dec & Jan, because many expatriate residents go home for Christmas, and also the school is closed during the period.

There are lots of tribal arts & crafts for sale in a safe environment, where tourists/expatiate residents negotiate for a better deal with the local seller.

Traditional Sing Sing performance is regularly organized.

This is one of the Port Moresby's best tourist attractions, and if you happen to be here on last Saturday of the month, it is worth visiting.

Landmark ? Pinapple Building

In September 1975, Port Moresby became capital city of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. New government buildings were constructed at Waigani area to house government departments, including a spectacular National Parliament Building, which was opened in 1984 by Prince Charles of United Kingdom. Other important national buildings such as Supreme Court, National Museum, National Library are also located in the same area. Before those government buildings were constructed - according to the early settlers to Port Moresby - Waigani area was grassland all over and many wallabies were seen hopping around.

Among the buildings, there is a strange-shaped building opposite Sir John Guise Stadium.

This was originally one of the government buildings called "Marea Haus", but now everybody calls it as the "Pineapple Building" because of its shape resembles the tropical fruit.

Pineapple building has been long abandoned but become one of the landmark in Port Moresby, just like the "Leaning Tower of Pisa". Don't you think that "Pisa" & "Pineapple" are also look alike ??

School Visit

During the filming work on Friday, we have dropped in at Porebada primary school outside of Port Moresby. School children were so excited about the team visit and even after the school bell rang, they kept posing for the camera. (Sorry for the disturbance...)

During the visit to the village, we have found out the shocking fact that the global warming has already affected the life of Papua New Guineans, not only at the remote Carteret Islands, but at the very shoreline of the capital Port Moresby as well !!

If this is caused by human being, we have to act now to stop this.

If the global warming is accelerated and further push the sea level up in an alarming speed, these innocent children - next generation of this planet- may not have a land to live.

Memorial Visit

We have done a tour to Sogeri outside of Port Moresby with Australian guests who have brought up in PNG but left the country in 1970's before independence. We have dropped in at Sogeri Primary school where they have attended, probably 50+years ago. Teaches were surprised to hear the story of the past which they have never heard of !!
We were also delighted to see that they have made a memorial visit.
Thank you for your visit to PNG, and we are always waiting for you to come back again.

Effect of Global Warming in Papua New Guinea

Carteret Atoll (Islands) have attracted much attentions from all over the world for their rising water level problem related to Global Warming.
In Nov 2005, news have spread the world that the Atoll will gradually become uninhabitable, with an estimate of their total submersion by 2015 and the islander will become the world's first refugees from the effects of global warming, although the No-Electricity/No-Gas/No-Vehicle islanders have not contributed to the World Carbon emission at all.
World TV News/Documentary crew flocked to the remote islands ever since.

Thanks to the media coverages, the name "Carteret Atoll" has become quite common among the environmentalists, NGOs and government officers in charge of environment in the world.

At the same time, it is also a fact that the majority of the Papua New Guineans have never heard of the islands or their problem, partly because of the isolated location of the Atoll, partly because the world media has not reached to most parts of the country, and of course, negligence by the succesive government.

So What is happening to the rest of the Papua New Guinea ?

Photo is one of the Motuan Villages in Central Province near Port Moresby.

Motuan used to live on the post house on the water but many have decided to live on the land due to many reasons, some obviously related to water level/high tide problem.

A house was built at the far end of the village but later most of the other houses were relocated to the land side and only one was left. Now with the fear of the high water level and isolation, the owner left the house.... villages are gradually moving towards the shore and further to inland.

Effect of Global Warming has not yet realized as a big threat in a daily life for most of Papua New Guineans but is steadily coming to the shore of Papua New Guinea.

Construction Boom

One of the key words symbolising the year 2008 in Papua New Guinea, particularly in Port Moresby was construction boom. There are lots of buildings are under construction - Hotel, Supermarket, Residential apartment, office building etc...


Despite the world economy collapse, the construction boom is still going on and sustaing the local economy.

Shrimp Plant

The heart-shaped bracts on these Acanthus family plants suggest a scale that looks like curved tail of the shrimp. The real flowers are tiny white ones on top of the "shrimp."
It is also called as Lollipop, as it may look like an candy.
You can see them in tropical jungle of Papua New Guinea, but more easily, they can be found in National Capital Botanical garden in Port Moresby.

Start of Birding Season

After few rainy months, Papua New Guinea is getting drier, and it is a start of Bird Watching Season. We had some bird watchers last week, first day was all day raining - very sorry but had good time in Kiunga, and back to Port Moresby and had a very good look at Raggiana Bird of Paradise. There were about 5 Males, took turn to dance and attract Females - more than 8 -hiding in the bush and checking how the dance was going.
The photo would be much nicer if there were no branches.... But it is in the wilderness so you can feel the Real sound and dynamism, which you cant feel or see at Zoo.
Birding season will run till the end of October/early November.

ATM at airport opens

ATM at Airport opens ?? it may not be a News in anywhere else in the world but it is a Big News here in Papua New Guinea. There are now three ATMs in Port Moresby airport alone, one at International terminal, one at Domestic terminal and one between the two terminals.
You can do cashing by Visa/Master cards, and if you have City Bank account, you can withdraw from your own account. Well, Papua New Guinea is also catching the world at at its own pace...

Papua New Guinea - Land where spirits still rule

We have been advised that one of the journalists who has visited last year has published an article on New Zealand Herald Paper recently, titled Papua New Guinea: Land where spirits still rule

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=1500884&objectid=10489389

Our Guide Steven is featured as Educated person yet beleives in Spirits and Black Magics.

(and it is true !! )

It is not the full story of Papua New Guinea or even Port Moresby, but it is one aspect of the country and worth reading if you are interested in Papua New Guinea.

For your assurance, we had no problem handling tourists under our care.

Enjoy the story and the photos !

White Sand from South Africa ?

Ela Beach is relaxing place for ordinary people in Port Moresby, and I personally call it as Waikiki of Port Moresby, because it is made up of imported white sand.

The difference is Hawaii imports white sand for tourist purpose, but PNG is not.

The story goes back to early 1900s, when Gold was produced near Port Moresby.

At that time, there was no Gold refinery in PNG so the Gold had to be shipped all the way to South Africa for refining. But there was no return cargo to PNG, and it is very dangerous to travel the rough Indian & Pacific Ocean with empty ship. So people came up with the idea of loading white sand from South Africa to stabilize the ship, and at the same time, make a perfect beach in Port Moresby, because most of the coastline was reef, rocky and there was no white sandy beach. Because of the great idea, now we are enjoying White sandy beach brought all the way from South Africa here in Papua New Guinea !!