Back home in PNG

Finally we are back home in Papua New Guinea.
As the airplane was approaching Jackson International Airport, Port Moresby, we saw the the ever-green landscape & reef-fringed blue ocean.
We normally complain about the heat & humid, but for now, the warm sunshine is comfortable for the body after spending sometime in ice-covered land.
The words came out naturally - "Thanks God, we are back in Paradise..."

It is funny we always admire sophisticated & efficient society in "developed" countries, but when we come back to Papua New Guinea, we always feel healed from inside. It is difficult to express in words, but Papua New Guinea has something special, for sure.

As soon as we were back, we ate Kaukau (sweet potato), Banana and chicken cooked with coconut milk. Although I like Eisbein & Pilsner, nothing is better than home food with SP Beer !

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.

Merry Christmas !!

Management & Satff of PNG Explorers Internatioanl express Big "Thank You !!" for your support in 2009 and we wish you all a Happy Christmas &
a prosperious New Year 2010.

Season for Flower

Port Moresby is starting to rain these days, and becoming greener and greener.
Colourful flowers have good contract with the green back ground and decorate the town with Red & Yellow. This is the start of flower season in Papua New Guinea.

Home-grown Aibika for Dinner

Yesterday, we have harvested the Aibika leaves from our home garden.

Some of you have never heard "Aibika". It is a green leafy vegetable common in South Pacific countries. It goes very well with chicken & other meat and a "Must" ingredients for coastal people of Papua New Guinea.
I did not know that Aibika flower looks like Hibiscus, because nobody awaits here until the plant is flowering - harvest and eat before the flower blossoms.

We cooked the Aibika with pumpkin & chicken for a Dinner.

If you are next time in Papua New Guinea, don't forget to eat Aibika.

Visit Team Eastern Highlands

Yesterday we have visited Team Eastern Highlands at Taurama Primary School outside Port Moresby and donated Rice Bags, Chicken & other food stuff on behalf of Goroka Trek & Tours.
They are here to participate in the 4th PNG National Games and are cooking their own food while staying at school dormitory.
The donation was a big surprise but much appreciated by the team members. - Hope it has filled up everybody's stomach.
Team Eastern Highlands are currently at 3rd Place after NCD & Morobe Province.