Wonderful Walindi

 Walindi Plantation Resort lies on the shores of Kimbe Bay in West New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. 

The surrounding gardens are lush, tropical and give the visitor a feeling of tranquillity, relaxation and appreciation of nature.

Established since 1983, Walindi celebrated 25 years of operation in 2008.

The resort accommodation has 12 beachfront bungalows plus four ensuited plantation rooms, a large central area for meals, recreation, bar facilities, air conditioned library, media room, boutique and pool.

The main emphasis of the Resort is on diving and snorkelling.

A recent coral count of Kimbe Bay revealed an incredible 413 species of hard corals.

This is over half the total world species (799) in one Bay, a truly remarkable statistic which makes Kimbe Bay the “Coral Capital of the World”.

Comfortable boats carrying guests operate out of the Walindi Dive Centre to visit reefs for scuba diving, snorkelling and bird watching in the Bay on a daily basis.

The extraordinary underwater beauty of Kimbe Bay has lead to many prestigious international prizes for photography.

Over the last 18 years, marine images from Kimbe Bay have won prizes on 10 occasions at the Festival Mondial de L’image Sous-Marine, Antibes, France, considered the world championship of underwater photography.

These successes have helped establish Papua New Guinea’s international reputation as one of the greatest dive destinations in the world.

mv Stardancer (16 passengers) and mv Febrina (12 passengers) operate out of Walindi Plantation Resort on 7 to 10 day charters throughout the year.

They visit the Witu Islands  off shore to extend the diving adventure and the Father’s reef systems on the north coast of West New Britain.

Visits and packages are available through your nearest Air Niugini sales outlet or contact Walindi Plantation Resort direct on telephone (675) 9835441, fax (675) 9835638 or e-mail Walindi@online.net.pg 

New coffee CEO assured of support

A contestant for the position of chief executive officer of the Coffee Industry Corporation has welcomed new CEO Navu Anis and vowed to work closely with him for the development of the industry.

Former CIC chief scientist Potaisa Hombunaka, who was in the running for the position together with Mr Anis and former CEO Ricky Mitio, urged Mr Mitio and the CIC board not to take legal action against last week’s National Executive Council decision.

“As a contender for the position, I wish to congratulate Navu Anis,” Mr Hombunaka told me from Goroka today.

“I’m looking forward to working with him and see the coffee industry grow to the next level.

“I also pay tribute to my former boss, Mr Mitio, for his heart for the industry and for driving the industry for the last 33 years.

“However, I suppose it’s now time for new blood to take over, and drive the industry to the next level.”

Commenting on the Regulatory Statutory Authorities Act, which Mr Mitio had complained about, Mr Hombunaka said: “The National Executive Council has made the appointment and the CIC board should work with Navu Anis to drive the industry forward.

“I’ve read the RSA Act, and as far as I’m concerned, the acting Agriculture Minister Andrew Kumbakor has acted in his powers to sponsor the NEC submission.”

Mr Hombunaka, a career coffee officer, said his services would be available if the CIC required.

“My Christmas and New Year greetings to all coffee industry stakeholders in the country,” he said.

“If the CIC requires my services, I’m available.”

 

Papua New Guinea is best diving destination in the world

Papua New Guinea is located in the coral triangle of marine biodiversity with the highest diversity of tropical fish and coral in the world.

PNG occupies the eastern portion of the island of New Guinea, the second largest island in the world.

Situated directly north of Australia, it consists of a mainland with some 600 islands, of which New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville are the largest.

PNG is recognised internationally as one of the best dive locations in the world with twice as many marine species as the waters of the Red Sea and up to 10 times as many as the Caribbean.

It has become known as an ‘underwater photographers’ paradise’ with many international award-winning photos being taken in PNG waters.

The country is surrounded by the Bismarck, Coral and Solomon seas whose constant movements feed and enrich the marine environment.

With 17,000 km of coastline and 45,000 sq km of reef systems, divers can enjoy minimal contact with other dive groups.

The immense diversity of sites include barrier reefs, coral walls, coral gardens, patch reefs, fringing reefs, sea grass beds, coral atolls and wrecks.

All dive operators offer dive instruction, scuba gear hire and a range of other services, with Nitrox offered by most operators.

Diving is possible all year round, the optimal season generally being from mid-April to mid-June and mid-September to mid-December.

Water temperature ranges from 26°C along the edge of the Coral Sea and up to 31°C in the Bismarck Sea, with visibility from 50 to 150 feet.

PNG has its own hyperbaric recompression facility located in Port Moresby.

The facility is situated within a private hospital and is operated and maintained to international standards by Hyperbaric Health Australia.

Further information about diving in PNG can be obtained from the PNG Dive website http://www.pngdive.com/.

 

In search of the perfect wave in Papua New Guinea

As a surf destination, Papua New Guinea is relatively new to surf enthusiasts.

 Pioneers have found one thing that is certain - that the breaks here are just as challenging as any others they face elsewhere.

PNG has unlimited surfing potential year round.

On the southern side 10 minutes out of Port Moresby is Sero Cove, where the main barrier reef stretches along the southern seaboard all the way to the Milne Bay Province.

From June to September during the south-east season, the waves range from three to six feet, with the best waves in the early morning.

100km to the east of Port Moresby is Hula Beach.

 Other surfing spots are being explored around the Milne Bay area, Bouganville Island and the Gazelle Peninsula in the East New Britain which has quality waves ranging from three to six feet along the coral atolls, including point and beach breaks.

The northern side of PNG has premier surfing locations with waves on the mainland and offshore islands generated by the monsoon swells from mid October through to late April.

Consistent quality waves ranging from three to eight feet, and occasionally to 10 feet waves can be found at Madang and Wewak.

The most consistent waves are in Vanimo, which vary from beach breaks to point and island reef breaks.

Surf camps are set up at Wewak, Aitape and Vanimo and accomodation and transport is readily available.

Around Kavieng in New Ireland Province are numerous reef setups which provide several good and varying surf breaks.

Just off Kavieng town is Nusa Island Retreat, an environmentally low-impact facility that provides accomodation, meals and boat transport to the surrounding islands and their breaks.

The waves in this region and around Nusa Island Retreat are well-established and known in international surfing circles.

Nusa Island Retreat limits the number of surfers staying at any one time and is often fully booked during the surf season.

More information can be found on the Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea website http://www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg/

                                               

Bulolo farmers get a boost

The happy graduands with Bulolo MP Sam Basil (second right) and DAL Momase Director Masayan Moat (far left)

The trainees prepare a cow for their graduation feast as part of their skills training

Story and picture by SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL
The success in the delivery of agricultural services at the district and local level government (LLG) levels depends on capacity building.
With more emphasis on development in the districts particularly at the ward level there is more demand on manpower, training, infrastructure, funding and other requirements.
A rural development officer working in the Buang LLG in the Bulolo district of Morobe Province, Tuwut Kole, made the remarks during a graduation ceremony for six officers and 14 farmers.
The two-week trainer’ training programme in goat, duck, cattle, buffalo and sheep production was sponsored by Bulolo MP Sam Basil and conducted at the Department of Agriculture and Livestock Erap Resource and Development Centre near Lae.
Mr Kole said the training had been beneficial to the participants who looked forward to passing on the knowledge and skills they have learnt to other agriculture staff and farmers.
“These kinds of refresher courses are helpful for those working and living in the rural communities,” he said.
“We look forward to carrying out work programmes in supporting agriculture activities at the LLG wards but we need more support in terms of capacity – we need increased manpower, funding and other resources.”
He said the capacity at the district level needed to be improved to enable the officers to provide assistance to current and new farmers.
Bulolo district administrator Nimson Kibisep agreed that it was a big challenge for the district staff and urged them to be committed in carrying out their duties.
A farmer from Wau, Sanik Kawena, said the farmers appreciated the training and would utilise the knowledge and skills gained to help themselves and others in the community.
Officer-in-charge of the DAL Erap centre, Ario Movis, and DAL Momase regional director, Masayan Moat, said the department was happy to provide agricultural technical services to enable the smallholder village farmers to benefit and improve their livelihood.
The department will continue to support the rural population in promoting food security and livestock provided funding was made available.
They commended the Bulolo MP for allocating funding to enable the training programme to be carried out.
Similar training is being planned for the future.

Adventures in paradise on board sv Tiki Tu

New Ireland’s perfect waves can be discovered on Tiku Tu

New Ireland children on board Tiki Tu

The unspoiled magic of Nusa Island

View from Tiki Tu

Exploring the islands of New Ireland

On Tiki Tu

Tiki Tu with canoes in a typical paradise Papua New Guinea

Innocence of a young island girl

Tiki Tu…marooned on an island

Two keen fishermen with a Spanish mackeral on board Tiku Tu

Do you ever wish you could escape this modern world and step back in time to a place where the great explorers found tropical island paradises and people untouched by western society?

It does still exist.

Papua New Guinea holds so many wonderful secrets and is one of the most-diverse and untouched lands on earth.

Adventures In Paradise Yacht Charters can take you on a voyage of discovery around the beautiful tropical islands of the Bismarck Archipelago in New Ireland province on Tiki Tu, a 33’ sailing catamaran.

Crystal clear water, white sandy beaches, friendly people, spectacular coral reefs, world class surf breaks, abundant fishing, picturesque villages, fascinating cultures, idyllic palms and unforgettable sunsets make this region a traveller’s delight and an unspoilt, isolated paradise.

What better way to completely experience all that is on offer here than the simplicity and freedom of live-aboard yacht charter?

The islands of the Bismarck Archipelago are untouched by mass tourism, untroubled by five-star resorts and package tourists.

Every experience that you have will feel like you are the first to experience it, the first person to visit this island village, surf this wave or snorkel on this reef.

New Ireland is an honest place full of people ready to invite you into their lives and their homes and allow you to have an experience that you will never, ever forget.

Tiki Tu’s hosts, Adam and Dani Smith, can offer you an exclusive, uncomplicated, unbelievable experience concentrating on your interests.

Both Adam and Dani are qualified skippers, with many years of experience sailing in Australian and PNG waters.

Dani also brings with her over 10 years in Melbourne restaurants, so you can be guaranteed variety and attention to detail in each meal.

Every charter is tailored to the desires of those on board.

There are no set departure dates or lengths of charter.

Enjoy a few days’ island hopping and snorkelling, or set sail for a month and do it all, exploring river systems, fishing, snorkelling, hiking, surfing, visiting villages and more.

The choice is yours.

“With the beauty of the islands, their sheltered waters and rich local culture, you have great potential for a classic sailing holiday.

“Adventures In Paradise Yacht Charters are based on Nusalik Island next to Nusa Island Retreat, where they moor their beautiful 10m three-cabined sailing catamaran, Tiki Tu.

“Half-day, full-day and extended charters are offered for you to visit uninhabited islands; seek out uncrowded surf breaks; drop in at Tabar Island, a stronghold of traditional carving; or visit the famous shark callers of St George’s Channel who hunt sharks by tapping shells against the sides of their dugouts.

“ Sit back and lap it up or learn to sail as part of the crew,” writes Jeremy Tredinnick, Action Asia Magazine.

Tiki Tu is a 10mperformance cruising catamaran.

She is light, allowing for excellent performance in light airs.

She is spacious, with 56 sq m of deck space, including a large forward trampoline to soak up the sun.

She has an awning which covers the whole back deck to shade you from the sun and keep you dry during the tropical rains whilst at anchor.

Tiki Tu is ideal for relaxing and peaceful cruising as she sits flat in the water without the constant roll that monohulls offer.

Her draft is under one metre, allowing her to enter shallow anchorages very close to the islands, and the reefs.

Tiki Tu is not a ‘luxury’ catamaran, but she offers comfortable accommodation for the adventurous traveller of all ages who are seeking a voyage through paradise.

Enjoy a voyage of discovery through the beautiful and unspoilt islands of New Ireland Province on board Tiki Tu.

Adventures In Paradise Yacht Charters:

Web: www.adventuresinparadise.com.pg

Email: tikitu@adventuresinparadise.com.pg

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