PNG Gossip Newsletter - 16th October 2005

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Neo Melanesian

"Pidgin English"

tok pisin
english
gut / gutpela good
gut nait good night
nogut bad / useless / no good
amamas / hamamas happy
bagarap break down / worn out
bagarapim spoil
bel belly
belhevi regret
belisi calm (person)
isi easy
hevi heavy
i no hevi light (weight)
 
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Remember that this mailing list is meant (mainly) for people who have an interest and already know a little bit about the people and geography of Papua New Guinea. The PNG Kina, which is mentioned from time to time in this newsletter, is currently worth around 31 - 31.5 United States cents but varies on a daily basis.

If you are really keen on finding out what the Kina is worth a currency converter for most world currencies can be located at -- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/moni.html -- The PNG Business and Tourism Directory also has daily rates based from a PNG perspective

Welcome to the
Papua New Guinea Gossip Newsletter

A very special welcome is extended to any new readers. If you have comments or suggestions to make then please click here and use the submission form.

Articles for this newsletter

To send a message for submission to the PNG Gossip Newsletter -- please click here and use the submission form to make initial contact.

Warning: PNG web sites seem to come and go. The fact of life is that it costs money to host a web site and there is not much return on the outlay to most businesses in PNG. If you do click on a link and use the services or even have some comments to make then please contact the people at the relevant web site and let them know so they at least know that someone has gained some value from their efforts. If you are so inclined then mention that you heard about them from this web site. -- The PNG Gossip Newsletter.

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Want to find out more about Papua New Guinea? Try searching at -- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo -- and -- http://www.michie.net/png_faqs. -- The PNG Business and Tourism Directory located at -- http://www.pngbd.com -- is also an excellent place to look for PNG information.

For those who are not so familiar with the geography of Papua New Guinea I suggest taking a look -- http://maps.expedia.com -- and then click on the find a map option. Go to this link for a quick start to a link to a map of Port Moresby. -- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/pom-map.html

Also remember that the accuracy of the information in this newsletter should not be relied upon - it is, after all, a gossip newsletter.


 

 


Links

Warning: PNG web sites seem to come and go. The fact of life is that it costs money to host a web site and there is not much return on the outlay to most businesses in PNG. If you do click on a link and use the services or even have some comments to make then please contact the people at the relevant web site and let them know so they at least know that someone has gained some value from their efforts. If you are so inclined them mention that you heard about them from this web site. -- The PNG Gossip Newsletter.

Mention of a website or service does not necessarily mean that this newsletter endorses the website or service



Air Niugini UK



Flight Directors in the United Kingdom have recently opened the -- http://www.airniugini.co.uk -- web site on behalf of Air Niugini. If you are overseas this may be a faster option to look for information about Air Niugini rather than struggle with the bandwidth limitations with trying to access a PNG based web site.



National Capital Web Site



A new web site for the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) can be found at -- http://www.ncdc.gov.pg/home.html. -- The NCDC is responsible for looking after the National Capital of Port Moresby.



National Economic & Fiscal Commission



The web site for the National Economic and Fiscal Commission (NEFC) can be found at -- http://www.nefc.gov.pg -- The NEFC is an independent constitutional advisory body of the State of PNG. The web site is intended to provide information about the NEFC, the system of intergovernmental financing arrangements in PNG and other fiscal matters regarding the 19 Provincial and 312 Local-Level Governments.



Other Links



  • Department of Treasury and Finance -- http://www.treasury.gov.pg
  • Bank of Papua New Guinea -- http://www.bankpng.gov.pg
  • Internal Revenue Commission -- http://www.irc.gov.pg
  • Government of PNG online (other agencies) -- http://www.pngonline.gov.pg



    Luke Lucas



    Luke Lucas has a web site at -- http://lukesnewplace.com. -- Many people will remember Luke from the time when he was the Electoral Commissioner for country.



    Kokoda Trek



    From time to time the Kokoda Trail pops up in one-way or another. It seems to be the one thing along with the Highland Shows, the towns of Madang and Rabaul that are mentioned frequently by tourists wishing to come to PNG. The trail or track is well known for its part in the fight between the Allies and the Japanese in the Second World War but nowadays it has become "the" walk to do in PNG. There are plenty of other walks that are possibly better but perhaps the Kokoda walk is the benchmark for physical endurance. Many operators offer the Kokoda Trail complete with carriers to help with the necessary food and camping equipment. Here are some of the operators starting with my favourite, -- http://www.kokodatrail.com.au -- run by Gail Thomas at PNG Business and Tourism Directory -- http://www.pngbd.com -- of course it is up to the reader to make their own choice when choosing any tour company.

If you are interested in walking the Kokoda Trail then please read the following account -- http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=218



Jane's PNG



Jane's Papua New Guinea web site -- A pictorial insight with comments on Papua New Guinea traditional culture, art and history. Contains a series of excellent photographs and can be located at --
http://www.janeresture.com/png_home/


News Items

Rotary Cup Day



Rotary is running a fundraising Melbourne Cup day luncheon on the 1st Tuesday in November. For th9ose not in Australia or close by countries the Melbourne Cup is always run on the 1st Tuesday in November.



Residency Visa



PNG has introduced a new category of visa to cater for long-term residents. Several categories exist and the main ones are -

  • Business Owner with investment income
  • Working Resident
  • Skilled Professional
  • Other Melanesian Spearhead Group Countries
  • Retired Person (over 55)
  • Spouse (of PNG Citizen)
  • Dependant

As far as I know all of the above require the person to have resided for at least five years in PNG before becoming eligible for the visa. I also have no idea of how much the visa will cost but if anyone is interested I have seen adverts in the paper by Port Moresby Ever Clean of PO Box 8545, Boroko, PNG -- email -- taurekamaryp@daltron.com.pg.



Broken Key



Heard a rumour that a couple of pilots are red faced at the moment. After all the passengers had disembarked in a provincial capital the pilots did their customary walk around to kick the tyres etc and then broke the key off in the lock when trying to get back into the cockpit. By the time the company they work for was able to get a spare key to them a local locksmith had managed to use the broken key to break and enter the aircraft. Hear the company has sent south for staff to go into a $2 shop and buying magnetic key boxes to stick up under the wheel well of all aircraft! So much for increased security!



Worst City



Port Moresby has managed to come out on the bottom of the best cities to live-in in the world once again this is becoming an annual occurrence. The United Kingdom based Economist Intelligent Unit (EIU) in its "liveability" survey of 127 cites around the world has given Port Moresby a 66 per cent ranking placing in it in the same "worst" category as the Algerian capital Algiers.



Commonwealth Games Baton



The Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay has made its way around PNG (58th stop over) on its way to the Commonwealth Games. Several organisations geared up to make sure that as many people as possible participated in the relay. The baton is a high-tech device with built-in tracking technology so that everyone is able pinpoint the baton's location via the internet, where supported by satellite coverage.

The baton even has a built-in camera that can be used to broadcast pictures. For more details please visit the Melbourne Commonwealth Games web site -- http://www.melbourne2006.com.au. -- The Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton Relay is the world's longest, most inclusive relay, travelling more than 180,000 kilometres and visiting all 71 nations of the Commonwealth in one year and a day. The baton's journey symbolises the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations, and enables communities beyond the host city to share the Games celebrations. It also serves a functional purpose in carrying Her Majesty's 'message to the athletes' from Buckingham Palace in London to the opening ceremony.



Kuru



The study into "kuru" is coming to an end in the Okapa District of the Eastern Highlands. The disease claimed the lives of over 2500 people in 1957. It is believed that the transumption of family members at funerals was the main cause of the spread of the disease. In the past relatives ate those who died in a ritual of mourning for the deceased out of a love for the deceased. Kuru is a disease that affects the brain. Females and children were the main participants of such feasts.



Ela Beach Craft Market



The Ela Beach Craft Market held on the last Saturday morning of each month is a good place for residents and tourist to look for a bargain. Usually a traditional dance group will perform sometime in the morning to entertain the visitors to the market.



Tourism Levy



With the increase in fuel costs dive boat operators are considering introducing a fuel levy. Some operators have felt a K5000 to K15000 increase in fuel costs especially those with bases in Australia. Big companies may be able to keep the levy fairly low but smaller operators may have to increases costs considerably to allow for the fuel price increases. Operators with bookings in advance have said that a floating tax would be the way to go because with many tourists making bookings many months or even a year in advance there was no way of knowing what the fuel costs were going to be. Airlines have already imposed fuel levies to offset the increases. All the operators agreed that they would not compromise on safety to save costs.



PNG Diving Sites



The following is sample of some of the web sites dealing with diving in PNG. It is not a complete list and if you would like your organisation mentioned in this newsletter please let me know. If company is listed and the details have changed also let me know so it can be fixed.



New Anglican Bishop



It has been announced that on the 10th of October, 2005, the Anglican Church of PNG elected Father Joe Kopapa to be the next Bishop of Popondota Diocese.



Disgraced Diplomat



Another PNG diplomat has disgraced the country and had to be recalled back home after an incident outside a hotel with some prostitutes. The women created a scene when the diplomat refused to pay for services rendered. It is also alleged that he then slept in his diplomatic car outside the hotel until some of his staff, alerted by hotel staff, attempted to take him home. The diplomat had thoughtfully locked the car from the inside so staff had to find a duplicate key to get in. It has also been reported that the diplomat had abused high commission staff earlier in the day after a clean up of the office.



Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel



The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Statute that was located and vandalised at Jack Pidik Park 5-mile in Port Moresby has been moved to a new location along side the new Healey Parade from Koki to Ela Beach. When the new road was made it was created by reclaiming some of the sea to make the road straighter. This left the old bottom-winding road as a reserve. The old road has now disappeared and in its place is a fenced war memorial with car parking spaces complete with Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel and several adjacent courts for games such as netball, volleyball and basketball. The footpath between Koki and Ela Beach has become a popular walking track for residents of Moresby.



Manus Detention Centre



The tiny province of Manus has agreed to give its full support to the Australian and PNG governments to extend the agreement covering the asylum facility at Lombrum. The Provincial Administrator, Wep Kanawi, said that the facility was better then the one on the Island of Nauru and could be used for as long as the governments needed the facility. The first group of 300 asylums seekers detrained on their way to Australia several years ago who were detained in Manus have all left after being assessed as to whether they were true asylums seekers or not. Manus benefited under the original agreement because Australian AID is currently rehabilitating three high schools and three primary schools under the agreement.



Fuel Prices



It had to happen. Fuel prices in PNG have risen considerably. The price of petrol in Port Moresby has soared by an incredible 27 toea per litre. There are 4.54 litres to an Imperial gallon and about 3.785 litres to the gallon they use in USA. Don't ask me why the US gallon is a different capacity to the Imperial gallon and the spelling of litre is liter - that is just one of the beefs about having to try and do business on the Internet and then that is only considering English speakers what about all the other languages? Anyway petrol in Moresby is now approximately K3.16, diesel is K2.41 and kerosene is K2.38 per litre. The costs in other areas are usually more expensive although this time diesel and kerosene have been pegged at the same price in Moresby and Lae Morobe Province. For example in Lae, petrol is K3.33, diesel K2.48 and kerosene K2.44 per litre.



PNG Languages



If you are interested in PNG languages then you may have some fun finding them at the Language Museum web site. For example the Wedau language of Milne Bay Province is documented at -- http://www.language-museum.com/encyclopedia/w/wedau.php



Gazelle Power



People located in resettlement estates in East New Britain have been given access to electricity. The people were resettled after the town of Rabaul and surrounding villages were devested by the twin volcanic eruption many years ago. The European Union funded the power project and was completed in time for the 30th Independence celebrations.



Mortality Rate



It has been reported by the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund that approximately 2 women die every day from pregnancy or complications during childbirth in PNG. The Executive Director said this is due to the country's "societal values" which had not changed much in decades.



Gender Imbalance



Despite some women being promoted to positions of responsibility in PNG there is still a huge imbalance between the sexes in the country. Literacy levels for females have improved by ten per cent from a previous census in 1990. Other education and job positions have improved over the years but still not to an acceptable level because it is usually on an ad hoc, half hearted and lacking in direction basis.



Hailstorm



Parts of the Western Highlands have been hit by a hailstorm. Many food gardens were destroyed during the storm that has been estimated as having affected more than 10,000 people in Hagen central. A 30-minute storm starting at about 4:30 pm blew the roof off many houses.



Books



The School That Fell From The Sky - is a book about how a WWII pilot came back to help the villagers that helped hide him from the Japanese Army during the war. The pilot, Fred Hargesheimer was lost and alone behind enemy lines after one of the engines on his Lockheed Lightning P-38 was shot by the enemy causing him to have to eject from his craft. The second edition of this book is available from PNG Printing in Port Moresby. I am not sure what it costs with postage to overseas but I would imagine USD10 - 15 would cover an airmailed copy to your post box.



Sir Pita Lus



Sir Pita Lus who was given a golden handshake of K500,000 for serving his electorate for more than 20 years when he failed to win back his seat in the 2002 elections is upset because he was not considered for the recently announced Logohu awards presented by Princess Anne. He has even alleged that Sir Michael Somare lied that he was going to be one of the recipients of the awards. Sir Pita had flown with his wife from Maprik to Port Moresby to receive the award only to find out that his name was not on the list.



Coming Events



PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Challenge is on again on the 23rd of October 2005. The challenge helps to raise money for the Sir Buri Kudu Heart Foundation. The winner last year managed to run the course in just under 17 minutes with the last walker being clocked in at 80 minutes. The course starts at the Ela Beach School and travels along Ela Beach until climbing up and over Lawes road passing Sir Hubert Murray Stadium coming back into town past Steamships and St Mary's Catholic Church before returning to the school and the finish line.

Rotary Melbourne Cup Day Fund Raising Luncheon -- 1st November 2005

The Milne Bay Canoe and Kundu (drum) festival will be held between the 4th and 6th of November this year.

Miss PNG Crowning night was going to be the 26th of November 2005 but has now been advertised as the 3rd of December at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Port Moresby. For more information about the 2005 Miss PNG Red Cross Society Charity Quest or your intention to support the Quest please call the Quest Coordinator Ms. Aiva Tamate at the PNG Red Cross on telephone 325 7016 or 325 8577 or fax 325 9714.

Air Niugini Ball - 1st December 2005 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Port Moresby/.

Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games -- March 2006.

2006 - April 8th to the 16th -- National Game Fishing Titles

PNG 31st Independence Anniversary - 16 September 2006






PNG Media


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-- THE END --

In Tok Pisin - em tasol

For other ways of saying the end please pay a visit to -- ../emtasol

Some of the ways of saying "that's all" are courtesy of Liz and her friends at the University of Technology in Lae. -- http://www.unitech.ac.pg

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Created 16 Oct 2005
Updated 26 Oct 2005


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