Category Archives: Papua New Guinea

Rabaul and Kokopo Part 2

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Some more photos of our recent trip to Kokopo and Rabaul, enjoy 🙂

The road from Rabaul Hotel into town

The road from Rabaul Hotel into town

japanese tunnels

Between Kokopo and Rabaul is this series of Tunnels, apparently a hospital from WW2. As you can see – no-one has removed some of the tools and or artifacts, and long shall it remain this way

japanese tunnels

Pretty interesting view out of the tunnels

slaughter pit

This young chap was our tour guide, here is was explaining that this was originally a well, but was then used to chop peoples heads off hence the groove in the top. Personally, the truth should never get in the way of a good story 😉 but it’s got some credibility, it does look like a good place for some head chopping

chinese memorial

Apparently a memorial to 3 chinese officers

barge base

Local kids setting up a little market outside the Barge Tunnels

barges

The tunnel goes some 200+ metres back and was used to hide Japanese barges from the Allied Forces. They had to be moved a large distance just to get to the cliff

barges

Took lots of photos of the Barges – in awe of what was done here

xaria barges

Xaria is outside checking out the local kids 🙂

barges

Amazing condition, and an asset to East New Britain

barges

They sure made them to last

xaria

lol – Xaria found another Aunty 🙂

xaria

Colour, Race, Wealth – means nothing to a 3 year old. Xaria, the aunties and the kids all had a great time

kokopo markets

This is the amazing Kokopo markets

kokopo markets

Peanuts for sale at the Kokopo Markets

rapopo

We spent Sunday at the Rapopo Beach Resort

rapopo

Nothing but lawn, beach and water at Rapopo Beach Resort. Pretty damn awesome!

zj_war relic

This tank is just sitting beside the main road in Kokopo

beach bungalow view

And if you happen to stay at the Beach Bungalow’s, this is the view looking towards Rapopo and the airport

We loved Kokopo – and would go back in a heart beat,

Aaron

Rabaul and Kokopo – East New Britain

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Last week we were fortunate to visit Kokopo courtesy of a work trip for me, and then I just had to buy tickets for Jacinta and the kids (about K5000.00 worth!)…

We stayed at the marvelous Gazelle International Hotel where they had no problem shifting us around due to a really noisy band on Friday night, and then back into one of their larger rooms (hint – for a family, ask for an end room!).  The team there were fantastic, and the food was divine, in fact – I would say it was the best european food that I have eaten in PNG…  We were lucky to have the use of the companies single cab ute for the weekend, and spent plenty time driving and/or walking around.

We did go over to Rabaul and watch Mt Tavurvur let off some steam, and got a guided tour through a Japanese underground hospital (from WW2) and underground barge tunnels.  Mostly though, we enjoyed the peace of East New Britain, and were happy to walk around the markets, and just kick back and take in the real PNG.

I took A LOT of photos, as I do – so I thought I would leave you with a whole bunch of them 🙂  This first lot from Matupit Island (now a part of the mainland and accessible across an ash road, and of Rabaul.  If you do go there, travel into Matupit, and ask for Ray, he will tell you the history of the island and take you down to the shore.  Give him some Kina for his trouble and don’t forget to buy some craft from the local ladies.

Got a tour by Ray a local of Matupit Island - this property destroyed in 1994

Got a tour by Ray a local of Matupit Island – this property destroyed in 1994

Tavurvur just sleeping

Tavurvur just sleeping

Tavurvur let off a little ash - amazing to be this close

Tavurvur let off a little ash – amazing to be this close

Met Ray in the village and he took us to this spot. If you want a guided tour and history, he is your man. Here he is with his sister.

Met Ray in the village and he took us to this spot. If you want a guided tour and history, he is your man. Here he is with his sister.

So pretty - yet only just starting to recover from the devastation

So pretty – yet only just starting to recover from the devastation

Some local lads from Matupit Island about to tend some graves. Jacinta kessim planti piksa (Jacinta took lots of photos)

Some local lads from Matupit Island about to tend some graves. Jacinta kessim planti piksa (Jacinta took lots of photos)

This is Rays Haus, the government paid for the small amount of roofing iron that you see, Ray has to live under the Haus...

This is Rays Haus, the government paid for the small amount of roofing iron that you see, Ray has to live under the Haus…

Tavurvur going off as we head back to the mainland

Tavurvur going off as we head back to the mainland

We stopped to buy some crafts from the local Matupit people - got this awesome shot of some local kids climbing on the back of the ute

We stopped to buy some crafts from the local Matupit people – got this awesome shot of some local kids climbing on the back of the ute.

The road past Tavurvur to Matupit Island. Lucky we got across when we did as Tavurvur covered this just 30 minutes later

The road past Tavurvur to Matupit Island. Lucky we got across when we did as Tavurvur covered this just 30 minutes later

No words can brace yourself for some of the images around Rabaul

No words can brace yourself for some of the images around Rabaul

The Rabaul Hotel has been almost destroyed twice - but they keep it going. Amazing history being the oldest hotel in PNG. The swimming pool had a extra layer on it though ;)

The Rabaul Hotel has been almost destroyed twice – but they keep it going. Amazing history being the oldest hotel in PNG. The swimming pool had a extra layer on it though 😉

And then Tavurvur went BOOM! and blew ash into the air. This photo from the observatory, Matupit Island is off to the right of the volcano and covered in thick ash. Glad we got out when we did as it was still going 2 days later...

And then Tavurvur went BOOM! and blew ash into the air. This photo from the observatory, Matupit Island is off to the right of the volcano and covered in thick ash. Glad we got out when we did as it was still going 2 days later…

Xavier dressed himself for the occasion - I didn't notice what his shirt said until reviewing photos today. TOTALLY AWESOME - buddy - how right are you?

Xavier dressed himself for the occasion – I didn’t notice what his shirt said until reviewing photos today. TOTALLY AWESOME – buddy – how right are you?

We went back into Rabaul so that I could take this photo - all 5 of us were crammed into the front of the single cab ute

We went back into Rabaul so that I could take this photo – all 5 of us were crammed into the front of the single cab ute

Rabaul is amazing – the determination of the locals to live there is incredible, and I highly recommend going there.

part 2 to come

Aaron

Don’t be shy!

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I had to go and get some groceries today, and whilst sitting in Lei’s Cafe at The Waterfront enjoying a coffee with no wife nor kids, I noticed a couple of people kept glancing furtive glances my way.

Either I’m one scary looking guy, or they were working out if they had read my blog, and trying to figure out if it was me or not, and wondering if they should ask..

Ask! Shout me a coffee or a beer, I don’t mind! 🙂

I answer so many questions, send lots of emails, and yet so many people rock up to Port Moresby and then never say Hi once they get here.

So if you see a tattooed kiwi (I have a large maori tattoo on my left forearm), sometimes wearing an All Blacks cap, commonly wearing rasta jandals, more often than not with a wife and 3 kids – girl10,boy8,girl3 – and always drinking coffee. Then don’t be scared, come share your story and let me know if this blog helped you out, and if there is something that you can add – how about a guest post 🙂

We are often sitting down at the Sails Cafe area (Yacht Club) on a Friday evening supervising our children playing whilst enjoying a cool SP or two – none of our friends bite either 🙂

Aaron

Time out in Lae

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On Thursday I caught the very early morning flight to Lae. I had been avoiding the place for 2 years, but had to suck it up and go over for 2 days for work, and you know what?

Lae ain’t too bad!

Yes, it isn’t somewhere where I could see myself living, but certainly not the dump that I was imagining, in fact – Lae is a very pretty place with lots of greenery and plenty of traditional haus.

Lae is definitely dirty, and buildings are rundown, but if the likes of Nambawan Super continue to invest in new buildings within Lae then I can certainly see the potential.

I took plenty of photos, but will have to upload them in another post when I have time to sort them out…

Some pretty cool things about Lae:

Cheap fruit
Cheap coconuts
Best Taro in PNG

One of the cool things I figured out. The difference between Economy Class & Business Class on Air Niugini can be as little as K45 each way. You may or may not get a business class seat, but you will get a little something to eat, sit at the pointy end, get 2x carry-on bags, and 20kg of luggage to bring back all that Taro. However, the most significant thing is entry to the Paradise Lounge in POM and Lae, which is normally reserved for executive club members, which does cost a few pennies. As my bounce flight Manus – Lae – Moresby was 1.5 hours late, I spent the time in the lounge, which is not “that” nice, but better than a kick in the pants, and has air conditioning…

But please don’t tell everyone – lets just keep it our little secret 😉

New Expat to Port Moresby?

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I know my blog posts have died down, but that might have to do with all the emails I crank out… I thought I would create one of those posts where I hope some of my fellow Port Moresby resident expats can help by commenting … Please 🙂

So, you are thinking about the adventure, maybe you are just going through the interview stages and its looking good, or you might have accepted your contract and you are coming up for a look/see whilst your visa and work permit is being processed. You will be thinking – what to bring! So here is my list of things you should bring with you, even if you have no interest – trust me 🙂

  1. iPods, music systems – preferably big and loud (for the parties you will hold). You will want normal party music, lots of it. Don’t worry about what you like, just bring stuff that everyone else likes 🙂
  2. Portable hard drives. You never know when someone has that great movie collection, and you need to copy it.
  3. A great electronic movie collection – if you share, you make more friends!
  4. Something like a WD Live or Apple TV to connect your movies to your TV (which you should also bring)
  5. A good BBQ – at least 4/5 burner. Yes, you might have a small family, or just be a single – but trust me, a big BBQ is perfect for BBQ parties.
  6. Lots of wine glasses, and an extra dinner set including cutlery
  7. A proper coffee machine. No pods here – but the best ground coffee in the world
  8. A UPS for your electronic stuff, make sure it’s a good one.
  9. Surge protection, Belkin do great 6/8 way boards
  10. Black Tie for blokes, including bow-tie and ruffled white shirt.
  11. Ladies – maybe one cocktail dress, you can get plenty here in the 2nd hand shops so don’t go overboard.
  12. Sport shoes. Good quality ones, and if you intend to really pound the roads, bring a spare pair
  13. Tennis racket and balls – even if you don’t play, you will get invites
  14. Squash racket and balls – refer 13.
  15. Your favorite sporting team jersey or shirt. Even better if it a rugby one or league…
  16. Noise canceling earphones – for all the flying in and out
  17. A frequent flyer membership! Figure out how to use it properly, check http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au
  18. Good quality dive/snorkeling gear. Make sure that they are suitable for the tropics.
  19. If you golf – bring your clubs, if you think golf might be something you’d do, bring some clubs
  20. Life jackets for everyone!
  21. At least 2 pairs of Polaroid sunnies
  22. Lots of dress ups! Face paint, crap like that, as you will be bound to go to dress up parties…
  23. If you like fishing, or would like to fish – bring some fishing gear
  24. Kindle – a normal one, the light is bright, so you really need the Matt screen
  25. Smartphone – easier for Facebook etc. you can pick up a cheap old school mobile for nix here
  26. Camera – spare batteries and cards
  27. Rechargeable AA and AAA batteries and charger
  28. Torch
  29. Freestanding Light (like a torch)
  30. Really good kitchen knife set
  31. Containers that seal shut
  32. iPad or other device
  33. DVD player
  34. Battery or power mossie zapper
  35. Suncream
  36. Top shelf alcohol
  37. Fitness gear if you have it.
  38. A good bed if you need it. If you don’t, then don’t bother
  39. A small chest freezer
  40. Pack of cards
  41. Laptop
  42. Good quality suitcases
  43. Good quality backpack
  44. Chilly bin/cooler/esky – Large, Small and fabric
  45. BPA free water bottles
  46. A good jug
  47. Toaster
  48. Frying pan etc
  49. Cotton clothes
  50. Good quality sheets, pillows etc

If you have anything to add – please do,

Aaron