Port Moresby, a promising modern city in Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea was discovered by Captain John Moresby in 1873. This beautiful tropical city is located peaceful on the shores of Gulf of Papua enclosed by the Fairfax harbor at the Southern foot of the rugged Owen Stanley range.

It's major Hotels are Airways Hotel, Holiday Inn, Grand Papua Hotel, Lamana and Gateway hotel. They are all located in the city.

New Lamana apartments: Lamana also has a standard party avenue for city party freaks.

Port Moresby at night

There is also a mega shopping mall at the heart of the city called "Vision City". It is probably the biggest in the country owned by the Asian Logging Giant RH group of companies. Wide range of services and restaurants, coffee shops, electronics, and general grocery stores are located in this mall. 

At the background is a ship that transports oil from the Napanapa oil refinery plant.

A floating village at the periphery of the city that accommodates the native people to the area.

Hope to see you here Port Moresby..We surely will love to have you visit our Beautiful City.

Tropical Timbers and furniture from Papua New Guinea

PNG has variety of hardwood species that can make good furniture. Visit Lae, the hub of the country's industrialization and amuse yourself with high quality furniture locally produced.

Visit companies like PNG furniture exports, Philco Ltd, Timber & Forestry Training college and see for yourself the local diversity of species, talent and style all in combination.

Grab yourself an Island bed, a wine drawer, a pool side lounge or a wooden luxury serving stroller.
They also provide beyond the living, great coffins!! ..:)

Wine drawer made of rosewood and mix tropical premium hardwood.

Different types of sporting shields made from natural colored hardwoods.

Bar stools from Philco Ltd

Door Numbers too

The next time you visit Papua New Guinea and Lae, please visit these furniture shops to strike a deal for your own comfort and luxury at home.

See you soon in PNG

The trip to the tallest mountain (Mt Wilhelm) in Papua New Guinea: Secret to experience the language of the heart

When I was in the primary and high schools, I always read and do quizzes on the natural geography of Papua New Guinea. As I recalled now that one of the popular questions I always answer wrongly is, ‘What is the name of the highest mountain in PNG?” Part ‘b’ of the question would read, “what is the height in meters?”  A question that always cost us few marks. It was in grade 8 (1998) in a remote High School on Fergusson Island in Milne Bay Province that I promised to climb the mountain one fine day, after costing me two marks in a geography test. I started my research on this renown mountain since then. My aunt introduced my to her boss (Sister Carolline Apeti) who attempted to climb the mountain in 1978, but never made it to the top due to her health complications along the climb. I did promise her that I will climb to the top for her one fine day.

My High School in Milne Bay Province now a Secondary School..Wesley High School named after Reverend John Wesley.

On the 18^th November 2012, 14 years after the conception of my dream, I set foot on the highest point of PNG 4509, MASL ,7:30 am. A dream come true for me.

The journey started after two weeks of continuous 2 hour daily running and physical exercises. On the 15^th November 2012, me with two of my friends from Chimbu Province left Lae for the highlands of PNG. We took a 4hrs bus ride to Goroka and slept at the beautiful yet affordable Luthran Guest house in the heart of Goroka Town (K70/night). The next day, we continued our journey over the panoramic and scenic Daulo pass into Kundiawa town in Chimbu Province. As a coastal person from the Southern part of PNG, everyone in Kundiawa address me as mero which was very upsetting for me so from time to time I told them to call me by name however it was their way of greeting Southerners from PNG.

 My brother Paul Magua at the door of Goroka Luthran Guest house

 Scenic Daulo pass between Eastern Highlands and Chimbu Province

We took a 2 hour truck ride on an all weathered bumpy road to Gembog, the district in which Mt Wilhelm is situated. The road to Gembog is scary as it traverses through hanging cliffs with fast cascading rivers some hundred meters below and killer hanging rocks several feet above the road. Risky and scary but a rewarding journey, an experience of a life time.

We arrived at Gembog station and stayed over in my local guide’s family home where we were introduced to the principle land owner of the mountain, Mr. Joe Black. We paid Mr. Black a track fee of K10/person and sleep over camp fee along the climb of K80 per night per person. Gembog station is widely known for fresh produce where you can find abundance of raspberries, vegetables, potatoes and other spices. The local people are also very friendly and welcoming.

Me in front of the land cruiser..the cafest vehicle for Gembog road

Mr. Noah (our guide) family posing with the expedition team

 
 On the morning of 17^th November, we left Gembog station for Mr. Blacks Guest house at the Male Lake along the climbing altitude. We walked through pristine montane forests up to moss dominated upper montane region. The feeling of natural purity and explicit serenity was unexplainable. It was an awesome experience that many did not and will not have the opportunity to explore. As we climb higher, the air in the atmosphere became thin and breathing became difficult but the joy of new experiences was the motivating factor behind every weary step. On every turn of the dug out track, you wish the top could just miraculously appear before you. Anyways, we arrived after 5 hours at the lake guest house nestled beside a still icy cold lake full calmness. At this stage, everything you see looks magical and your emotions blend into spiritualism. A place that offers you a natural engineered emotion framed into a picturesque natural – soul captivating formation, something that can not be explained in plain words.

The expedition team posing infront of Mt Wilhelm High School

Paul Mogua and Myself at Cambridge country between Gembog and Lake Camp

Besides lake camp: Bruce Mondo, his niece and myself very tired but excited

Our fellow climbers from Wesleyan Church drinking tea at the lake camp (Mt Hagen)

We rested in the guest house where fellow climbers from the Wesleyan Church of PNG joined us. We bundled up in the 3 little rooms for 10 hrs and started climbing the mountain now dominated by weathered rocks and shrubs at 12 am using headlights.

The climb here was critical and that every new climber has to attentively take heed of the local guide’s instructions. It was a painful moment where your body refuses to take another extra step higher but your soul and spirit give you hope to take that one more step, a torment full one. It became more challenging as the air became thinner and the unopposed high velocity icy winds razed against your poor hurting body. All you need is a miracle from God and indeed my climb was a miracle. Some of our friends gave up and returned to the lake camp, others gave up and can not climbed any further while few of us reached the top of the mountain at day break.

Dawn close to the top..less climbers now

 Upon the sight of the top of Mt Wilhelm, I dropped tears of Joy and victory, again a feeling that can not be explained, it’s the language of the heart and soul. This Journey has taught me a lesson in life, a secret to courage in the face of adversity, a principle of promotion out of calamity and the heart to appreciate nature in the face of greed. Yes there is a reserved source of strength. When your body capacity is drained and the going just seems impossible, it is an absolute truth that you learn to draw from within, the key lies within the depths of your unsearched soul. Yes I have overcome this mountain from deep within, where strength springs forth not from combustion of carbohydrates and oxygen but from the will powered energy sourced from within. The secret can not be told, as it is not defined by the language of the mouth, it can only be experienced as it is an inspiration of the heart and soul.

Me overjoyed at the sight of the top of the Mt Wilhelm at the back ground

Paul and Myself..I have to crawl up to touch the flag put to mark governor general Sir Paulias Matane's visit in 2010

Team Celebrating upon Decent

Magical and mystical Female and Male lake

Pondering my victory..a time of reflection of the inner strenght

The disadvantage of being a rugby forward..you find it hard to go through small holes..hehe..

Beautiful flowers on the way

Our Guide, myself and My brother Steven having boiled corn near Kundiawa town..You can get on the Mt Wilhelm tours to Gembog

You can contact me for advice and direction if you plan to climb the tallest mountain of PNG and discover for yourself the secret of the untapped strength that can overcome anything in life from within you.

Quote from the climb “Iron sharpens iron, nature sharpens nature” Hardy 2012

UNIQUENESS OF SUAUAN MOTHERS- MILNE BAY PROVINCE..PNG

Today is mothers day and so this post is dedicated to all the beloved mothers from Suau. Suau mothers are very special and unique. We LOVE YOU all. 

My grandma still babysitting even she is with walking sticks (unending love)

I personally grew up from my child hood under six different mothers (not biological but culturally, we call our mother's sisters "mothers" in Suau rather than aunts). All these mothers treat me equally as my biological mum. I share equal rights with my cousins which I call brothers and sisters. They give the same discipline without favor and make sure I am given the best as that of their own children. They sacrifice there own food and bed for you even if you don't ask for it. Here is a special example.

One rainy day when my dad, other siblings and I were sleeping all day due to cold and bad weather, my mum returned from the garden soaked in water. As she put up the heavy basket load of the harvest, we all rushed to see what we can grab from the basket for immediate consumption. Without complaining she ignited the dying fire to keep the kitchen warm not for her sake but for us the children to sit by the fire and eat what we found in her basket. As the fire was burning she put up some corns and pitpits, which we thought was for her as she was looking very hungry and tired after walking the long hilly track to the garden in the heavy downpour. 

So as the corns and pitpits were still half grilled, my siblings and I competed to get them out of the fire thinking that mum might have them all by her self or give the bigger ones to her favorite child.. To my surprise she says,

"Can't you guys wait patiently? No one's gonna eat those stuff except you! wait until they are ready cooked then I can share them fairly among you, am not gonna eat them!" when the stuff were cooked, she shared them among us leaving herself none. As she was preparing the food for dinner we hungrily eat the "snack" and returned to bed waiting for her call for dinner which she surely called after an hour. Not to forget that as we eat the dinner hungrily she served us and waited to eat our left overs usually bones and fibrous parts of the food that we can't consume. She reserve that better left over in case some of us the children get hungry again during the night. After the meal we pushed out our plates towards her for her to clean up our mess without thanking her yet we hear no complains from her.

My mum preparing dinner while looking out for the playing children (multi job without pay). No selfish heart!

I now realized she is the GREATEST woman in my Life..whether it be my biological mum, aunt or fostered mum..We love you!

Who are the first to be served during the meal? men and children!. Mothers are truly self less.

Not to forget something about most Suau mothers that we also dislike. Take for example: She usually say, "Son that girl is part of our family, that one as well, that one, that one and am like "OMg every other girl is part of us', then am gonna marry out of Suau. Finally the lady comes home out of Suau and mums comes running hugging her and saying all the adorable words on the planet. Wait until Sunday after church and she will be like, "oh people, this lady is too fancy so and so..!" Saying it to her group of friends sharing some beda. haha..Are you laughing? They real cool..:)..

I find it controversial but the bottom line is mothers want the best for their children. They sacrifice their all for you and I. Suau Children should be happy to have very good mothers and that our mothers deserve all of our love. Treat them like that "fancy one" she calls, even a bit more before you hardly see her any longer. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU ALL!!

Have you ever thought this way as a Papua New Guinean???

I sometimes ponder  for hours trying to imagine the most positive and fair description of life that is fair and true for both the Western cultures and the PNG way of life. I began to realise that I am towed between two imaginary forces each having different perspectives of how life should be. The two have been running parallel with their standards and beliefs but the poor citizens are subject to either confusions or uncertainty on which path to take. These are the marginalised lot of people ussually pin pointed as problematic subjects within a system. Today I will try my utmost best to answer one of Papua New Guineans’ controversial questions which they believe that they are wrongly branded.

Question 1:  PNG is branded to be in extreme poverty with daily earning of $1.25/ day.

My answer is NO as a Papua New Guinean (Could be yes if PNG was a state in U.S or Australia).

As a Papua New Guinean  I will define poverty as lacking essential  human needs such as clean water, shelter and food. Next to these would be proper health and education systems. Papua New Guinean's  fresh waters were as clean and pure for consumption until pollution was introduced into our forests and atmosphere. 82 % of our people in rural areas have standard shelter to reside and sufficient meal to fend themselves. Hence I don’t believe we are destitutes as Papua New Guineans but might be  destitutes if we classify ourselves as Westerners.

The $1.25/day equivalent to K3.47…? Is it true in my view as Papua New Guinean??  NO!. I come from an isolated part of Milne Bay but people eat three meals a day and feed the surplus to the animals like dogs and pigs. Fruits such as mangos, pawpaws and ripe bananas are left to the bats and birds. They share surplus food freely and accommodate visitors with out charge in their homes. Now value all that and prove to me if its below $1.25? Formal education and health definitely need cash but if I was left in my former way of life, will these things become neccesity to me?

Well lets balance it then you may have your own conclusions. To the Westerners you have influence our way of life and converted us to be like you. Walk by ourside that we may journey together rather then towing us and branding us according to your standards or pace.

To fellow Papua New Guineans there is no excuse to be poor, we have chosen to be part of the global community and is the fact that can not be cried over lest we die. Our problem is lack of western knowledge to convert our resources into money. PNGians are great fisherman, its time we learn to get the coin out of the fish..

Cheers..and thank you for reading..