Night scene from Koukou

Ever wonder what it is like from koukou looking towards Tatana and Port Moresby. Captured these images on the 24th Dec 11 one day before Christmas. Its just spectacular. This is possible with the canon 1000d auto 50mm lens. Its sure is amazing how the picture turned out. Click here for more images

2011 year in review

2012 is fast approaching and as we bid farewell to 2011, all I can say is WHAT A YEAR!..A roller coaster ride which saw sweet and sour taste of life. 2011 summed up was a productive year.
Some achievements :--) Move away from tenant to landlord- if you know what I mean. Had aunty and uncle moved in with us –reconnecting the broken family chain. Get to know dad’s side of the tree. Trying a bit of Tiri Kuimbakul principal. –It did generate some very interesting results though. Visited the ruined Rabaul town and got a glimpse of where dad grew up. Jamie started off in a new school and elevated to 1.1 –This is the time where his front teeth are falling.. hheehehee!! Anyway to cap it off, Ian’s won a job at Gobe, Kim’s cousin visits his mum and witness their long time dream becoming a reality. (See separate story). Finally the bottom is complete huuuuraaaayyy!..all in a year's work. Oh before i forget, have a new toy... just watch the graphics, notice any changes?
Looking forward to a new and challenging year ahead.

To you all readers of my blog “Seasons greetings!” Kaioni !

Rainy Season has come

The rainny season has finally come. For the past couple of months now it has been so wet that every afternoon we expect it to be either raining or wet. Here are some pictures taken whilst it was raining at Koukou.

Travel Air Resumes Flight

Joining the family of third level airlines in Papua New Guinea is Travel Air. Owned by a Papua New Guinean businessman this company is based in Madang. The company started receiving its first aircraft in mid August this year (2011) and are set to receive others in the coming months. At the moment centers covered are Port Moresby, Madang, Hoskins and Rabaul. Reservations are now open and flights have commenced. Starting fares ranges from K325 to K340. For more information visit their website or contact them.

Dream come true

Kim's cousin sister who resides with us was overjoyed as she saw the tractor driven into the koukou. It was her late husband's dream to have a tractor for the family. The tractor brought tears of joy and sorrow for both the widow and her brother (Ilagi) Over the weekend her children including other relatives gathered at the house to celebrate and also reflect what has come and gone as well as the future.It was also a family reunion that has brought them all together after the passing of their late father. The event went through the night and finally ended with a family meeting before departing for the village at about 11 pm. The tractor arrived the next morning at about 10am in the village. click here for more pictures

Motorized bicycle

The name says it all. It’s a normal bicycle fitted with an engine. This latest innovation is currently hitting the street of Port Moresby. Assisted by an engine, the bicycle goes to a max of 30km/hr at top speed. Fueled by zoom the engine is best suited for hilly environment or mountains. If you’re lucky one would spot a sample either along badili or Ela Beach as the base is back at Varokou Constructions office or to be precise Varovaro next to Kila Baracks. There are 100 more shipping into Port Moresby in early 2012 so keep an eye out. Apart from the Motorized bicycle, there is also the G-Wheel or put simply motorized skating and the Jet board. For more information contact 321 3942 ask for Pricilla or Domino

Jackson's Airport facelift

One could hardly miss the upgrade the terminal at the Jackson's International Airport is currently going through. At the moment the food court and the cop shop is made nicely into what you would normally find at most international airports. The overhead shades brings that modern touch into canopy technology.

Dual celebration

This week saw two events. One was an early birthday for Krystal and the other was Ian’s new occupation. Krystal’s birthday falls on the 14th December but due to her travel to Townsville, we had to celebrate it here in PNG than usual. For Ian, he had won a job with one of the LNG engaged contractors up at Gobe in the Southern Highlands Province. He departed the next day after tendering his resignation with Seeto Kui. There were lots of food and drinks to go around. Everyone enjoyed the moment.More pics available on Face_book

Global Recordings Network

I was searching for a particular item one day on the internet and stumbled across a very interesting website. It is called Global Recordings Network (GRN). Much like the Summer Institute of Linguist(SIL) their primary mission is to capture all the different language around the world in audio format for distribution in ones mother tongue or dialect. Accompanied with flip charts the audio gives a visual insight for clear understanding to those who are illiterate. Joy Ridderhof founded the work of Gospel Recordings in 1939. Joy was a single missionary in Honduras in the 1930's but was forced to return to the U.S. due to ill health. Her missionary heart was still with the mountain people she had left behind. Although poor and illiterate, these people had responded to the gospel and were delighted to hear God's Word.
As Joy prayed for them, an idea came to her. She remembered how phonograph records had played in the villages, blaring out songs in English and Spanish. If only she could make a record with a gospel message and Christian songs in Spanish, then it could stay with the people to repeat over and over the words she could no longer say to them in person.
In late 1938 the first record was produced and sent to missionaries who would take it into the mountain areas. The response was amazing and soon requests were coming from many Spanish-speaking areas for copies of that record. In 1941 Joy received a request for a Navajo recording from missionaries to the Navajo Indians. Joy's decision to record this second language was a major landmark in the history of Gospel Recordings, opening the way to a global outreach that would eventually touch the ends of the earth. Gospel Recordings today is committed to fulfill the vision that God gave to Joy Ridderhof.
GRN has been established in Papua New Guinea and works in close partnership with the SIL. There are currently over 30 establishments around the world. GRN is a Non Governmental Organization and depends heavily on donations and sale of its products to finance its activities. Visit their website to find out more.

Milne Bay Art

Designs that you will find familiar in Alotau and Milne Bay.

Aaron Choulai, VADA and the Tatana Village Choir

This stunning collaboration between musicians from Australia and Papua New Guinea is led by Papuan/Australian jazz pianist Aaron Choulai - a 25-year-old albino prodigy, who now flits mainly between Melbourne and New York, having recorded three albums for prestigious US jazz label Sunnyside Records. The 16-voice Tatana Village Choir, from the Motuan village in PNG's Central Province, performs Peroveta Anedia (Prophet Songs) - traditional choral music sung in intricate modal harmonies with soaring, interweaving parts. Choulai brought the Choir and Melbourne jazz collective VADA together as an exciting musical collaboration in 2007 for the film We Don't Dance For No Reason [Ai Na Asi A Mavaru Kavamu], created for the 2007 Queensland Music Festival. The Choir are proud representatives of Motu culture and the traditions of Peroveta Anedia, brought to their island by United church missionaries as a means of bridging bible stories and traditional tribal music, though the sound eventually moved beyond the church into everyday culture. Accompanying the choir in performance is Choulai on piano at the helm of VADA, featuring Carlo Babaro on saxophone, Eamon McNelis on trumpet, Rory McDougall on drums, Shannon Barnett on trombone and Tom Lee on bass.

Aaron Choulai and Tatana Village Choir will perform "We Don't Dance For No Reason" is presented as one-off performance this Friday 18 Nov at Melbourne Recital Centre.

"We Don't Dance For No Reason" is a very special project- the Tatana Village Choir are extraordinary on stage, full of joy and energy. and their sound is like nothing you'll ever hear (unless you happen to be in a fishing village on the coast of PNG on your way to church). Great jazz artists are collaborating on the show directed by Papuan/Australian pianist Aaron Choulai. The music is interspersed with stunning film pieces made by Peter Szollosi which show the beauty and struggle of life in PNG.

The show is part of a double bill with Iconic Songs featuring Archie Roach, Neil Murray and Shane Howard- another special show where these three amazing artists share the stories behind their iconic songs. There is a special discount offer from MRC for a $25 ticket to the double bill show (full price tickets are $65 to it's a good deal).

The double bill starts at 7:30pm and We Don't Dance For No Reason is on after the interval at approx 8:40pm. If you want to book tickets you need to quote VADA for the $25 price. You can book via phone or internet, or buy them at the door (though the cheap tickets are limited and may get used up so it's best to book in advance)

Book online via this link and follow the prompts to enter the promo code VADA.

http://www.melbournerecital.com.au/whatson/buytix?perfid=3117

Amazing Pictures of Port Moresby

Some stunning and amazing photos taking of Port Moresby. Here is a picture taken in view of the sunset on Fairfax harbour. For more click here or click our picture gallery on this site.

Madang Airlines PNG Accident

In last months tragic plane crash images of the crash were circulated. For those who missed out heres a couple. There was also alot of tribute and dedications to the victims. The government offered K500 000.00 to the victims. A preliminary report was released however a full report may take a year or two to be completed. The preliminary report suggested that there was a mechanical fault.

Iaramas Album Launch

This is the launch of the Iaramas Album - the Cairns-based Milne Bay Group, formerly, "Island Sounds" (who initially released an album back in 1992). "Iaramas" is the back to front of the name "Samarai". The Concert will be at Sports Inn, Port Moresby, dubbed SAMARAI NIGHT,a Night with Iaramas. This will be on the 29th October 2011

It will commence at 7pm, till late, and will be backed up by Daia
Strings Band, Hetei Dicksen & Family as well as a POM-based Rock Band
comprised of Milne Bay guys, ex-UPNG, Traffik Jam.

Two known victims amongst "Black Thursday"

The tragic flight that unfolded in Madang Province on the 13th of October 2011 saw 28 victims and 3 survivors was described as PNG’s worst aviation crash in history. Amongst them are two known victims (Late Mr and Mrs Bula) who where our former neighbors at Badili Green Haus.As I read the news, a feeling of sadness looms over my heart. Mr Bula was good company. We normally converse in politics, life and all sorts of issues that affect us in one way or the other. My wife is fond of flowers and would recall Mrs Bula bringing her a new range of ochid specimens from Kimbe. The news of their tragic passing leaves a vacum in the hearts of their immediate families. Our condolences goes to Helen her siblings, families and relatives. May their souls rest in peace. Insert is a pic of Late Mr Jeffery Bula (far right) during a new years bbq when we were at Badili

Cloudpng updates site

Since starting my blog, I’ve received over many visitors. Over the years I’ve observed that most of my visitors seemed to be requesting for forms that are not readily available online. In that senses I’ve decided to include a section called downloads. This is where most downloadable stuff that my visitors who regularly requests for are available. The popular form is the birth registration form. I‘ve also included a passport and 2012 gazettal to start off with. From time on I will add more. Recently also a translater was included to allow non english readers to translate in their own language.Another feature includes the mobile phone format where my blog is accessible through mobile phones. I hope this will help visitors to my page find what they are looking for. Happy surfing!

Launching of Our Development Party.

Sir Puka Temu on Saturday 8th October 2011 launched his Our Development Party at the Sir John Guise Indoor stadium. In attendance where VIPs including Don Polye, Bart Philemon, Ano Pala, John Kekeno other distinguish guests and supporters. The day was full of traditional singsing that entertained the guests as well as speeches. Supporters from as far as Marshall Lagoon to Domara and the Aroma coast attended this occasion. Pic by Ila Pala and Sine Raki

Kainantu Massacre

The Kainantu Massacre that happened recently though was not graphically portrayed in the local print media has recently been circulated. A view of these four images shows how barbaric the incident took place. It was a long standing law and order issue that has boiled over time. If asked who was to be blamed than obviously the government would be the ones to be outright responsible for the situation. Ever since the deterioration of law and order, policing has been a concern in this part of the Eastern Highlands Province over a number of years. The bringing in of task force members every time a situation arises obviously is short term and the cycle of repeated offenses takes place over time. Arm robbery, carjacking and intimidation of public by rascals have reached its climax to what has transpired. In this context, the authorities must realize that little towns and rural areas be fully protected and not be neglected as is the case across the vast country of ours.

Registry of Political Parties IT Updates

Registry of Political Parties and Candidates Commission has just recently acquired new PCs for its aging sets. Apart from the new sets of computers the Local Area Network was also upgraded to a more faster speed including the provision of wireless network. This means all laptops and wireless devices would now connect to the network without the need to connect using cables. Last week the office took delivery of the new sets to help officers perform efficiently in their day to day work.

PNG GOVERNMENT GIVES IN-PRINCIPLE APPROVAL TO MERGER OF AIR NIUGINI AND AIRLINES PNG

Airlines of Papua New Guinea Limited (“Airlines PNG”) congratulates the PNG Government on the announcement today approving the in-principle merger of Air Niugini Limited, the state owned national carrier of PNG, with Airlines PNG. Airlines PNG ill work closely with the PNG Government and Air Niugini to develop the merger ransaction. A Memorandum of Understanding between the three parties will see the establishment of a Merger Implementation Office under the leadership of Rt Hon Sir Mekere Morauta, Minister for Public Enterprises. The Merger Implementation Office will establish the transaction structure and timeline for implementation, and ensure the people of PNG receive full and fair value via a fully transparent process and independent valuation of both companies. The merger is expected to bring great pportunities for the people of PNG, with immediate plans to extend aviation ervices into a range of rural areas not presently well served. Specifically Airlines PNG congratulates the PNG Government for their vision in making this possible. The merger will enable the combined airline which will operate one of the largest fleet of aircraft in the South Pacific, to better cover an extensive range of international and domestic destinations, serving locations from Singapore right down to small villages in PNG. A larger and stronger national carrier is also expected to provide increased employment opportunities for PNG staff following from the expansion of operations and the internalisation of certain support services which are currently provided off shore. The merger remains subject to the approval of Airlines PNG shareholders and approval of the final transaction by the Government, together with all other necessary corporate, regulatory and third party approvals. Airlines PNG’s Board remains committed to maximising value for its shareholders.This
will continue to be the central premise upon which the merger transaction will be evaluated. Airlines PNG will keep the market informed of further developments with the merger transaction as appropriate.

For further information contact:
Media Relations: Ph: 302 3194 Email: media.relations@apng.com
Investor Relations: Ph: 302 3234 Email: investor.relations@apng.com

PNG FM launches new radio station

PNG FM the mother company of Nau FM and Yumi FM had just recently launched another radio station. This time its market group is targeted at around 25yr and over. Launched during the independence long weekend on the 16th of September by popular radio host, Justin Kili, most of the songs goes as far as the 60s, 70s,80s and the 90s. You can tune in on the FM band of 101.0 mhz. It is currently heard in Port Moresby and Lae but soon to roll out to other major centres around the country.

POM Grammer Celebrates Independence

Independence fever has already begun with many schools celebrating before their term break. For Port Moresby Grammer, it was the same. Jeremiah’s class performed a Kiwai contemporary dance for the school. The school breaks for term III