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Security |
As with all developing
countries, there are times when law and order issues are
a concern. Much of what you have read or heard are
over-exaggerations of what you will find and apply in the
main to urban areas. Although you are unlikely to
experience any difficulties, please us common sense,
particularly when out and about at night. Seek local
advice from your hotel or the PNG Tourism Promotion
Authority. |
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Visa
Ease |
A 60-day tourist visa is
available on arrival at Port Moresby and Mount Hagen
airports. The fee for the non-extendible visa, available
only at the air gateways is K25. You will need valid
travel documents, sufficient funds for your stay and an
airline ticket with a confirmed outbound flight before
the expire date of you visa. Some restrictions apply to
travellers from several Asian, Eastern European and
African countries. We recommend that travellers check
with the PNG Embassy or the nearest Australian Consular
or PNG representative office (which are located in the
capitals of most countries) or any Air Niugini Office as
to the visa requirements before travelling to Papua New
Guinea. |
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Stay Healthy |
Water quality is within
World Health Organisation standards in most towns,
Bottled water is available. However, in rural areas, it's
advisable to boil water at all times. Malaria continues
as a health risk in some parts of the country. You should
start taking anti-malaria tablets two weeks before
arrival, continue during your stay in Papua New Guinea
and for four weeks after departure. Prevention is
effective and easy; use insect repellent and wear
long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and shoes in the
evening when mosquitoes are most active. |
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Crafty Souvenirs |
One of the many pleasant
surprises you will find in Papua New Guinea is the wide
range of art forms in diverse styles. Among the many
tempting souvenirs you'll encounter are: |
Bilums
String
Bags made from natural fibres. |
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Masks
Woven
from cane or rattan; made of wood and clay with
shells, hair and pigs' teeth or incised with
brown and white patterns and finished in glossy
black. |
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Wooden Bowls
Fashioned
form prized local timbers, including ebony.
Carved walking sticks, stools and tables are
often inlaid with mother-of-pearl. |
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Baskets and Trays
Many
different patterns and styles can be found. Those
from Bougainville are regarded as some of the
finest in the Pacific. |
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Drums
The
most common musical instrument in Papua New
Guinea. Those made from a hollow tree trunk are
called garamuts, while the smaller kundu
is shaped like an hour glass and has snake or
lizard skin stretched over one end. |
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Story Boards
made
on the Keram River, they illustrate in raised
relief, events and incidents of village life. |
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Spirit Boards
Act
as guardians of the village with those from the
Gulf Province believed to possess the spirits of
powerful warriors. |
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Many artefacts and other
historical and cultural objects are prohibited exports.
Others require an export permit. Contact the National
Museum for details. Export of Bird of Paradise plumes is
prohibited. For export permits for other wildlife and
animal products, contact the Nature Conservation Division
of the Department of Environment & Conservation. |
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Feathers
of Fliers
Over
700 species of feathered fliers flutter across
our island including 38 of the 41 species of the
magnificent Bird of Paradise. There are numerous
other birds of distinction including the
Cassowary; which stands 1.8 meters high and can
weigh up to 59kg and the Crowned Pigeon which is
the size of a turkey. Parrots of kaleidoscopic
colours dot our towering trees. Not all the
colours of the rainbow have been reserved for
birds; there is an unlimited range of hues and
shades to be seen in our 2000 orchid species and
countless magnificent butterflies including the
world's largest, the Queen Alexandra Birdwing. |
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Talk to Us |
English |
Motu |
Pidgin |
Good
Morning |
Dada
namona |
Monin |
Good
Afternoon |
Handorai
namona |
Apinun |
What's
your name? |
Oi
emu ladana be daika |
Wanem
nem bilong yu? |
My
name is ... |
Lau
egu ladana be... |
Nem
bilong me... |
How
much is this? |
Inai
be hida? |
Hamas
long em? |
Thank
you |
Tanikiu |
Tenkiu |
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This and That. |
Getting
Here/Getting About |
Your touchdown is on the
tarmac of Jackson's International Airport which is 11km
(7 miles) from the centre of Port Moresby. There are
rental car counters, a bank and a duty free shop within
the airport complex. Major hotels have a courtesy bus to
and from the airport. Taxis have meters but are rather
expensive. Within the city, PMV's (public motor vehicles)
cost 50toea per journey. |
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Currency
Papua
New Guinea's unit of currency is the Kina which
is divided into 100 toea. There are K50, K20,
K10, K5 and K2 notes and a K1 coin. Exchange you
Dollars, Sterling, Yen and most other
international currencies at Jackson's Airport or
in banks which are open from 9am to 3pm, Monday
to Thursday and until 5pm on Friday. And don't
forget your credit cards which are accepted in
leading hotels and shops. |
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Calling Home |
Modern satellite
communication brings the world to Papua New Guinea at the
touch of a few buttons. Only in the remote areas is radio
telephone service in use. |
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Useful Port
Moresby Numbers |
Tourism Promotion
Authority 3200211; Air Niugini Information Jackson's
International Airport 3273480; Reservations and
Confirmation 3273555 (Domestic) and 3273444
(International); Police 000; Ambulance 3256822. |
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Stamp Facts
The Papua New Guinea Postal Service
is fast and reliable. Plus there is the added
bonus of beautiful and highly prized stamps to
decorate your letters and cards. Special
collector and presentation packs available from
most post offices and make great gifts. |
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Power Points |
Papua New Guinea's
electricity supply is 240 volts AC 50 Hz. Some hotels
have 110 volt outlets for shavers and hair dryers. |
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Dress Sense |
For most occasions, dress
is informal and casual. Thongs, sneakers and sandshoes
are not allowed in some bars and restaurants. In the
Highlands sturdy walking shoes are recommended, as is a
sweater or jacket for cool evenings. |
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Dining Out |
You won't go hungry in
Papua New Guinea. Western cuisine is available in hotels,
restaurants, guest houses, lodges and village resorts.
Port Moresby has several Asian and European restaurants.
For something different try a traditional 'mumu' of roast
pork, chicken or fish, sweet potato, taro, banana and
greens. |
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Shopping
Surprises |
From modern department
complexes to quaint little stores, there are plenty of
places to spend your money. In artefact shops you may try
your hand at bargaining, but be gentle! Remember that
Saturday is a half day for most shops and virtually every
place is closed on Sunday. |
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The Sporting
Life |
Play golf, tennis and
squash or go fishing, diving, snorkelling, hunting and
trekking. Check with Air Niugini and the PNG Tourism
Promotion Authority for venues. |
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Time Out |
Papua New Guinea is 10
hours ahead of GMT and in the same time zone as Eastern
Australia. However, there is no daylight saving in Papua
New Guinea. |
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Fine
Feathered Festivals |
While it's always
possible to se various aspects of our rich heritage,
there are annual regional festivals of traditional
culture well worth including in your itinerary: |
June |
Port
Moresby Show |
August |
Mt.
Hagen Show |
September |
Hiri
Moale Festival, Port Moresby |
October |
Maborasa
Festival in Madang |
October |
Morobe
Show |
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Topping them all is the
Eastern Highlands Show in Goroka (staged in September of
every numbered years) when thousands of painted and
feathered tribes-people sing, dance and parade in full
regalia. |
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Tipping Tips |
You are a guest in Papua
New Guinea and hospitality is an honour in our Melanesian
culture. Tips are neither expected nor encouraged. |
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Taxing
Matters. |
While there is no service
charge added to bills, a service tax of between 2.5% and
7% is levied in some provinces and the National Capital
District. Save K15 for you international air departure
tax. Tax stamps can be purchased at post offices or on
departure |
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Customary
Regulations |
Standard customs
concessions for travellers apply to the following goods: |
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200
cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
One litre of spirits
A reasonable amount of perfume |
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We value your visit but
pleas don't bring drugs, obscene literature or video
tapes, firearms or weapons. Food items, seeds, spices,
live or dry plants, animals, animal products and
equipment as well as biological specimens such as
cultures and blood need special documentation before they
can be imported. |
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For more
fascinating facts about Papua New Guinea holidays,
contact your travel agent or the Papua New Guinea
Tourism Promotion Authority.
Telephone +675 3200211, Facsimile +675 3200223 |
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