Links
Warning: PNG web sites seem to come and go. The fact of life is that
it costs money to host a web site (try -- http://pngwebhost.com
-- for a good and cheap deal) 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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Fuzzy Wuzzy Expeditions
http://www.fuzzywuzzy.com.pg/ -- Fuzzy Wuzzy Expeditions is a PNG based company established to provide expertly guided tours along some of the country's most infamous treks and trails. The most notable, the Kokoda Trek.
David Ephraim
Visit David Ephraim Cloudiuz Pewa's web site -- http://davidephraim.tripod.com -- and learn about David.
National Capital Web Site
The National Capital District Commission (NCDC) web site can be found at -- http://www.ncdc.gov.pg/home.html. The NCDC is responsible for looking after the National Capital of Port Moresby.
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/
News Items
Airlines PNG
Airlines PNG (APNG) is introducing a 3rd Friday service to Brisbane starting on the third of November, 2006. Only 6 weeks after starting the Brisbane flights, the response from customers has been so overwhelming, a complete service will now allow clients to complete business visits and be home for the weekend. Also from the 25th of November, APNG will put on extra weekend services to Cairns to fulfil the holiday season demand. APNG has also introduced children's fares on international and domestic services @ 75 percent of the full fare for each class. Children between the ages of 2 - 11 years qualify while infants are 10 percent of the adult full fare. Email -- hotdeals@apng.com -- or Web -- http://www.apng.com -- for more details.
Fuel Prices
The price of petrol has fallen by 18.5 toea per litre much to the relief of drivers in the country. Diesel will reduce by 5.9 toea per litre and kerosene will only see a decrease of 3.3 toea per litre. Based on these figures Port Moresby prices will now see petrol at K3.04, diesel at K2.58 and K2.53 per litre for kerosene. Prices will be higher in other towns for example petrol in Lae is set down as costing K3.13 per litre. The next pricing change has been set down as the 8th of November and it is hoped that another fall will be recorded at this time.
Rabaul Volcano
Mount Tavurvur in East New Britain province has erupted causing the closure of the Tokua airport for several days. The heavy downpour of volcanic ash has left food gardens ruined and houses inundated with ash. The last time Tavurvur erupted was in September 1994 causing the evacuation of Rabaul town and the relocation of the airport to Tokua and government offices, businesses and many families to Kokopo.
Telikom Again
Telikom has once again had a major problem with its network this time services were affected due to a problem outside the control of Telikom but many Mobile, Rait Pre Paid and Telikad customers found that their account balances were not right. Some customers even reported that their accounts no longer existed. Services directed via Mt Kegum which covers Port Moresby to Mt Hagen and Wewak have been affected by a power failure on the mountain top. Telikom have also had issues with bandwidth into the Islands region due to a faulty antenna at Mt Tangi. Telikom have had to switch all traffic via satellite and customers are experiencing congestion to and from the Islands region.
On a brighter note the Alcatel cable laying ship has brought the undersea cable ashore at Ela Beach in readiness for terminating at Ela Beach Telephone Exchange the scene of many recent upgrades. Telikom are still looking at a date in November to switch much of the traffic that is restricted solely to satellite links at the moment on to the undersea cable. Internet bandwidth is tipped to go up exponentially making all businesses happy. Air Niugini is about to roll out its online booking and apart from issues with not having a PNG banking gateway bandwidth was so much of a concern that they have moved their web site off shore.
Internet Bandwidth
Interesting note: - I was in a small office in Hong Kong last week doing some work and when asked what was the bandwidth into the office the reply was 8 Megabit. I am unsure of the exact bandwidth offered by Telikom at the moment for the whole of PNG but it is not much more than that amount. No wonder businesses are anxious for the undersea cable to be commissioned.
New Passenger Ship
Passenger Shipping in PNG has entered a new era with the arrival of the largest PNG passenger ship the MV Milne Bay. The ship is currently serving the Lae to Port Moresby route via Alotau and it is owned by Brisbane based Peninsula Shipping Lines in partnership with local highlands company Wamp Nga Holdings, the ship has a cargo capacity of more than 2000 passengers, 100 containers and 20 cars, and a cruising speed of 19 knots. Fares start from as low as K95 per passenger to K810 for the ocean view cabin and K1100 for the ocean view state rooms. For more info Email -- inforpom@adsteam.com.pg -- The land locked Wamp Nga Holdings company is certainly diversifying with this venture.
Depending on the success of the MV Milne Bay a second slightly smaller ship may be considered to cover the ports in the Islands region and Wewak, Madang and Manus.
MTS Discoverer
The famed Melanesian Tourist Services Discoverer is leaving the country after serving tourists for 18 years operating scheduled Expeditionary Cruises along the majestic Sepik River and to off shore islands in the Solomon Sea, including the fabled Trobriand Islands. Visit the web site -- http://www.mtspng.com
Michael Somare
Despite denying being sick on his recent return from Alotau the Prime Minister, Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare, has jetted off to Singapore for a minor medical review. He should be back for Parliament on Tuesday (tomorrow). The PM had been in Alotau to open the Papuua Governors' Conference.
Mendi Hospital
Mendi Hospital has received a donation of K150,000 from the Southern Highlands provincial government. The money will be put towards the purchase of new theatre equipment such as an ultrasound, an electrocardiogram, medical books and an oxygen concentrator. The hospital, the biggest in the province, serves more than 500,000 people.
Miss PNG Quest
Miss Datec, Tanya Samuel, is doing what all Miss PNG Red Cross contestants do and that is help to raise funds for the PNG Red Cross. Tanya is a Support Engineer at Datec and apart from sponsoring her Datec is donating part of every megabyte paid for by new Internet customers to Tanya's fund raising efforts. That means that if a new customer uses 1000 megabyte ten toea per megabyte will go towards the Red Cross. As a bonus the customer will also receive a ten toea credit per megabyte as well.
Please contact Annunicia, Tae or Helen at Datec directly on 303 1322 or go to -- http://www.datec,net.pg -- for more details.
Kokoda Taster
The following is an advertisement "borrowed" from the Tourism Promotion Authority.
Dying to have a feel of the famous Kokoda Track or just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Port Moresby? Why not try the Kokoda Taster offered by local operator Fuzzy Wuzzy Expeditions. The Kokoda Taster is a short half-day trek starting Saturday mornings from Owers Corner down to Goldie River then up the Golden Stairs to Imita Ridge. This trek is pretty easy and many children have already experienced it with their parents. Many corporate executives and their staff are taking on the Kokoda Taster as a bonding session or just a relaxed Saturday outing. Of course, Imita Ridge was significant to the Kokoda Campaign as it was here that the Aussie Diggers made their last stand to repel the advancing Japanese Army, which retreated and eventually surrendered at Buna. For bookings or info Email: info@fuzzywuzzy.com.pg or Ph: (+675) 688 3231 or (+675) 320 0211 and ask for Lora. Also see the following article and visit the web sites for a balanced view of what is on offer.
Kokoda Trek
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.
+- http://www.kokodatrail.com.au
+- http://www.pngtrekking.com.pg
+- http://www.kokodaspirit.com.pg
+- http://www.nghols.com
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
Swimming Comeback
In PNG many female athletes seem to fade away as soon as they have a family but the opposite is happening with swimmer, Beryl Madouna. Beryl, a swimming force in the 1980's and 90's, has shaken off the cob-webs at 32 and has been selected in the national training squad. It is now up to Beryl to see if she can juggle motherhood and a hectic swimming schedule mixed in with her daily job and qualify for the 2007 Pacific Games to be held in Samoa. In her hey day she was PNG's star back-stroker for over a decade.
ENB Autonomy
The East New Britain (ENB) province has moved another step closer in its push for greater provincial autonomy. The provincial government has completed a draft constitution and will be taking this to the people soon to explain it and seek their views and contributions. The talks have been delayed due to the recent volcanic activity in the province.
Tokua Airport
A total of K30 million has been set aside for the upgrading of Tokua Airport to international standards in East New Britain by the National Government. Once completed, Tokua will have the capability to cater for larger aircraft direct from overseas.
Central City
Central Province is the only province without a capital city to call its own. Port Moresby was declared the National Capital in 1973 and is surrounded on all sides by Central province. At the moment the province shares part of the revenue raised in the National Capital of Port Moresby. Attempts have been made in the past to build "Central City" but money has been a stumbling block. It has been estimated that at least K150,000 million will be required to build a capital city for the 179,000 people residing in the province.
New PMV Route
A new public motor vehicle route from Gerehu to downtown Port Moresby via the Poreporena freeway has been introduced. The cost of this service is K1.00 per trip. At the moment many buses that are designated to do the Gerehu - Port Moresby route not via the freeway are stopping half way causing passengers to pay double the normal rate. It is not sure whether the new route has been approved by the Land Transport Board.
Air Niugini
In coming months Air Niugini hopes to take delivery of a 50 seat version of the popular Dash 8 aircraft primarily for use on the domestic network. The Hong Kong service, via Manila, is attracting a few passengers and cargo although I have heard rumours that the servicing of the plane is hampered by the lack of spares available in Hong Kong for the Boeing B767 aircraft.
Tourism Head
The head of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Peter Vincent, has been reappointed as the Chief Executive Officer for a second term of four years. Mr Vincent is also the deputy chairman of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.
Coming Events
Kiwi Ball -- The fabulous ball held by the Kiwi's will be held on the 28th October this year. This year the New Zealanders hope to have a five-piece band to entertain the crowd
Morobe Show to be held at the Lae Showgrounds -- 4th and 5th of November -- Coca Cola Amatil have once again picked up the major sponsorship of this event.
Ex KIAP Reunion in Victoria, Australia will be held on the 5th of November 2006, at Sandown Greyhounds Tabaret -- http://www.exkiap.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=18&sid=08742471a618eb419d5af702a6bf87bb
Milne Bay Kundu and Canoe Festival, Alotau -- 6th to the 12th of November 2006
32nd Gaming Fishing Association of PNG titles will be held from the 7th to the 16th of April, 2007
Old Maps
Cols Vintage Mowers is seeking any old - original or copies of maps showing the Salamaua, Wau, Edie Ck, Bitio, Watut, Waria and/or Black Cat areas. Also he is desperately seeking a decent enlargeable photo of the Edie Ck Waterfall and ridge. Can anyone please help him or give him a clue where to start?
Col F. - c/- of this newsletter
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