Malum Nalu

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Postcards from Daulo Pass

By MALUM NALU

Coming back to Goroka and Eastern Highlands province last Saturday was for legendary kiap (patrol officer) Bob Cleland, like arriving at a place he’d never quite left.

Cleland was feted like royalty the moment he stepped onto the tarmac in Goroka – the Land of Eternal Spring – on which he first set foot on 59 years ago in 1953.

Asaro mudmen and other Eastern Highlands dancers welcomed him back to Goroka, and he was greeted by senior provincial government officials including outgoing provincial administrator MunareUyassi, as blind children from the Mt Sion School for the Blind outside Goroka sang that famous and movingGoroka anthem “Welcome to Goroka”.

As “Welcome to Goroka, the land of Nokondi, from Daulo Pass across to Kassam Pass…” reverberated through the perennial springtime climate, one could almost feel the majestic mountains surrounding Goroka rise in salute to this great man.

The irony is that he helped to build roads over both the Daulo and Kassam passes.

Cleland, now aged 81, was clearly overwhelmed by the welcome.

After lunch at the Bird of Paradise Hotel, we took a drive along the Highlands Highway to the summit of Daulo Pass, which Cleland supervised building of as a 22-year-old kiapin 1953.

All along the way, from Goroka through the great Asaro Valley and the ascent to Daulo Pass, he pointed out places of interest and recalled memories of another day from more than 50 years ago.

At the summit of Daulo Pass, he checked out old landmarks, pointed out landmark sections of the road, and gazed down at the magnificent panorama of the Asaro Valley.

The Goroka policemen who provided us escort couldn’t help but listen spellbound as Cleland told them about how he supervised the building of the stretch from Asaro Bridge through Daulo Pass and on to Watabung using local labour.
Enjoy the pictures of our visit to Daulo Pass:

Looking down to the great Asaro Valley from Daulo Pass last Saturday.All Pictures@MALUM NALU

Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all, the world thy hand has made...

Take my breath away

The panorama from Daulo Pass last Saturday that took my breath away. This is truly God's country! Why are we messing things up for ourselves?

Bob Cleland checking out the road he built in 1953.

The road that Bob built!

Our police mate keeps watch

"This land is your land, this land is my land." Bob Cleland admires the panorama of the great Asaro Valley from the top of Daulo Pass.

Bob Cleland, me and our police escort on Daulo Pass. I truly like like I was the prime minister of PNG with our special police escort!

Postcard from Daulo Pass of Bob Cleland and me last Saturday. I really enjoyed the trip and have a great story to write, with great pictures. Thank you to Tom Soles, Gideon Samuel and the Goroka show committee for making this trip possible. Thank you to everyone in Goroka and Eastern Highlands for supporting us. That's why Bob and I both call Goroka and Eastern Highlands "home", because that's where our hearts are!

Unforgettable!

Wow!

Our vehicle and a police escort on Daulo Pass

Part of the road on Daulo Pass

Goroka policemen listen spellbound to Bob Cleland, who supervised building of the Asaro-Watabung section of the Highlands Highway in 1953, on top of Daulo Pass last Saturday.

A view from Daulo Pass last Saturday.

I always enjoy the Daulo Pass drive.

The long and winding road.

I'm running out of superlatives to describe this scene!

Magic!

View from Daulo Pass last Saturday evening.

Mordern communication is there right on top of Daulo Pass.

Evening traffic on Daulo Pass last Saturday evening.

Right on the summit of Daulo Pass, Eastern Highlands, there are transmission towers, so while there last Saturday, I was able to transmit immediately to Facebook on my laptop.

It's good to be back home again...Bob Cleland on the summit of Daulo Pass last Saturday

This is Bob Cleland and me on the freezing cold summit of Daulo Pass, Eastern Highlands, last Saturday afternoon.The legendary former kiap, Highlands Highway builder and writer, 81, supervised building of the Daulo stretch between Asaro and Watabung in 1953, as a 23-year-old kiap. Cleland's book Big Road describes the initial construction by hand, in 1953 and 1954, of the Daulo section of the road, which runs over the 2,478m Daulo Pass and which gives access westward to the great Waghi Valley. The big road was neither designed nor built by engineers but by patrol officers, or kiaps, with local villagers using only picks, shovels and thousands of hours of backbreaking labour. Bob Cleland was also involved in the first Goroka Show in 1956 and designed the Eastern Highlands provincial flag. He was given a hero's welcome when we arrived in Goroka last Saturday.

Roundhouse on the summit of Daulo Pass with its well-fed sentinel.

A hamlet right on the freezing-cold summit of Daulo Pass last Saturday.

View from Daulo Pas towards Watabung and Chimbu province last Saturday evening.

Roundhouse and the summit of Daulo Pass with two VIPs.

Flowers of Daulo Pass. These sell for K5 each and are meant to be fitted on your bumper.

Flower power on Daulo Pass.

PMV bus heading towards Goroka from Mt Hagen.

Bob Cleland meets an old timer on Daulo Pass who still remembers him.

The 'Flower Children' of Daulo Pass are part of this iconic part of PNG. I didn't see that many last Saturday, just this little girl on the summit of the pass.

Highlands Highway on the summit of Daulo Pass last Saturday evening.

P’nyang South drives up Oil Search

By MALUM NALU
Oil Search Ltd shares hitting an all-time high last week was because of significant gas discovery at P’nyang South sidetrack in Western province, according to investor relations manager Ann Diamont, The National reports.
She told The National yesterday (Tuesday) that the shares rallied following the announcement of a significant gas discovery at P’nyang South sidetrack.
“The well extended the size of the known gas column at P’nyang South to 380 metres, with a potential additional up-dip upside, which could mean that the total gas column is over 650 metres,” Diamont said.
“It is subject to further evaluation, but it could help to underpin LNG expansion.
“In addition, our results for the first quarter of 2012 were better than market expectations.
“Even though we had a planned 16 day shutdown at the production facilities to undertake PNG LNG modification work, our revenues were only 7% lower than in the fourth quarter, due to high oil prices and improved gas revenues.
An Oil Search drilling report says that on April 19, the P’nyang South 1 ST1 well was at a depth of 2,944 metres and undertaking a formation evaluation programme over the Toro sandstone.
“Based on the preliminary interpretation of data collected in both P’nyang South 1 and P’nyang South 1 ST1, the gas zone is interpreted to extend approximately 200 metres deeper than the lowest known gas in P’nyang South 1, indicating an increase in the total gas column to approximately 380 metres,” the report says.
“Seismic interpretation and structural mapping suggests additional up-dip potential above P’nyang South 1 and indicates a potential vertical gas column in the P’nyang South field of over 650 metres.”
P’nyang South is located four kilometres south-west of the P’nyang 1X gas discovery and approximately 90 kilometres north-west of the Juha gas field.
The participants in P’nyang South 1 ST1 are: Oil Search Ltd (38.5%), ExxonMobil affiliates (49%), JX Nippon (12.5%).
Oil Search is drilling the P’nyang South well under contract with the Operator, Esso PNG P’nyang Ltd.

Oil Search starts biggest drilling programme

Oil Search has embarked on the largest drilling programme in its history, according to its quarterly report, The National reports.
The report says a number of appraisal, development and exploration wells will be drilled across its PNG Highlands and Gulf licences over the next 18 months.
Oil Search managing director Peter Botten said this programme was designed to evaluate the gas potential and build a resource base to potentially underwrite further gas development opportunities.
“The first well in this campaign, P’nyang South 1, was drilled on a structure immediately south of the existing P’nyang gas field during the quarter,” he said.
“The well discovered gas, intersecting a 184 metre gas zone over the Toro to the base of the P’nyang sands. A side-track, P’nyang South 1 ST1, was subsequently drilled, with the objective of defining the gas:water contact.
“The well reached target depth shortly after the end of the quarter, successfully intersecting the gas: water contact some 200 metres below the lowest gas in P'nyang South and extending the known gas column to approximately 380 metres.
“Interpretation of seismic and structural data suggests there is additional potential up-dip, indicating the total gas column could be over 650 metres.
“This is an excellent result, materially increasing the total estimated 2C gas resources in the P’nyang field and providing a potential key underpinning volume for LNG expansion.”
Oil Search drilled both wells under contract with the Operator, Esso PNG P’nyang Ltd.
Botten said construction of the well pad for the second well in the programme, Trapia 1, an exploration well on a large structure to the east of the Hides and Angore fields, was completed during the quarter.
“The rig is currently being assembled, with drilling scheduled to commence following the completion of P’nyang South activities,” he said.
“Development and appraisal drilling at the Hides gas field is due to commence mid-year and will continue through 2012 and 2013.
“Further drilling is also planned in the oil fields, to assess the potential upside in both oil and gas resources that can enhance further gas commercialisation.”
Botten said in the Gulf of Papua, following the positive results from the 2011 3D seismic survey, Oil Search had decided to acquire additional 3D seismic data in order to high grade a number of prospects prior to potential drilling.
“A seismic vessel was contracted and acquisition has recently commenced,” he said.
“Shortly after the end of the quarter, the company entered a contract to drill two firm and two optional wells in the Gulf acreage, with drilling targeted to commence in late 2012.”

BIG ROAD is an amazing read

By MALUM NALU

Since I took my first trip along the Highlands Highway from Goroka to Lae in 1975 with my late old man, Mathias Nalu; at Aiyura National High School; and driving myself some 20-plus years later, I've always been fascinated by the RUPERT HAVILAND Memorial Lookout on the top of Kassam Pass.
Haviland was only 21 when he supervised building of the Kassam Pass Road which ultimately linked Lae to the Highlands.
After completion of the road, he returned to Australia, but died of an allergy to a medicinal drug while in hospital receiving treatment for an illness.
His body was cremated and his ashes scattered over the Kassam Pass road that he built as such a young man.
One of those who worked with Haviland was another young kiap, BOB CLELAND.
After a stint with Haviland on the Kassam Pass, Cleland went further inland and himself supervised building of the Daulo Pass Road from Asaro- Watabung in 1953.
The amazing stories of these young man, and their boss, the legendary IAN DOWNS, are told in this book, BIG ROAD, by Cleland, which I've just finished reading.

Amazing and emotional stuff! Unfortunately, copies are hard to find in PNG, however, after overwhelming interest in Goroka at the weekend, Cleland is now negotiating with his publisher for another print run especially for PNG
This book is a must-read for all our young kids!

Goroka Show gets off to a flying start

By MALUM NALU
The 2012 Goroka Show was launched in style in the Lahani Room of the Bird of Paradise Hotel in Goroka last Saturday (April 28).

Asaro mudman entertains guests at the launch of the 2012 Goroka Show.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

It also got off to a flying start when National Gaming Control Board chief executive officer, Edward Mike Jondi, presented K200, 000 to show committee chairman Gideon Samuel to kick-start the 2012 show.

National Gaming Control Board CEO Edward Mike Jondi (left) presents K200,000 to Goroka Show committee chairman Gideon Samuel.

Other cash sponsorships and pledges were made, including K10, 000 from geologist Wera Mori of Mori and Associates, while Eastern Highlands provincial government and Coffee Industry Corporation made pledges.
Other companies and organisations are expected to follow suit.

An Eastern Highlands tune at the 2012 Goroka Show launch.

The night was graced with the presence of legendary kiap (patrol officer) and Highlands Highway builder, Bob Cleland, who was involved in the very first Goroka Show way back in 1956.

Former kiap Bob Cleland, who took part in the first Goroka Show in 1956, reminisces.

He said the organisers of this one, with no precedent to guide them, copied the pattern of a typical Australian country show, with the three districts of Eastern Highlands – Chimbu, Kainantu and Goroka – taking part.
Cleland said there were no singsing groups, but in subsequent shows, the singsing groups with plenty of encouragement from the government and organisers, turned up in force.

Lufa group at the 2012 Goroka Show launch.

Samuel said his committee now had a good rapport with sponsors and other stakeholders, and was fully accountable and transparent.

An Asaro mudman entertains guests at the launch of the 2012 Goroka Show.

“We’d like to make this year’s show even bigger and better,” he said.

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Goroka - like every place you've never left

By MALUM NALU

Goroka brings back so many memories for me.
Took a drive around town after arriving last Saturday, April 28, 2012, which was quite emotional for me.
It was 10 years ago, in 2002, that my late wife Hula and our two baby sons left Goroka for a new life in Port Moresby after four wonderful years.
Here are some of the pictures I took last Saturday.

This is the road leading from Goroka Airport to town. Do you see any buai pekpek or litter like Port Moresby, the filthiest capital city in the world?

Driving along Peace Park

The Highlands Highway runs right through town

Peace Park, Goroka, where we would sit under the cool pine and gum trees and watch planes take off and land. It's called Peace Park because warring tribes come here to make peace!

The main Highlands Highway at West Goroka shopping centre.

West Goroka Shopping Centre, still the same after all these days (albeit old and rundown), and which take me back to my childhood days as far back as 1975.

St John's Lutheran Church, West Goroka (right), a place which is close to my heart, as this is where we came to worship in the 1970s, and likewise, from 1999-2002 when I got married to Hula.Unfortunately, I didn't have time to catch up with old friends there yesterday, as I had to leave.

A bit of a goat track beside the hospital

Leigh Vial Street towards Goroka Base Hospital

Leigh Vial Street, West Goroka, which leads down to the Goroka Base Hospital. Just out of this picture, to the bottom right, is the big three-bedroom house where Hula and I used to live in 1999/2000, before our two elder sons were born.

Goroka Post Office, one of the many remaining pre-independence buildings which still survive. I know, because I was a pre-independence child of Goroka!

Town

A lazy Saturday afternoon in town

This is the main street of Goroka town on Saturday. It's so clean compared to the buai pekpek of Port Moresby and certainly puts the flithy capital city of PNG to shame!

Goroka last Saturday with Gouna Building in the background.

Clouds over Goroka, always a beautiful sight

That's our kiap friend BOB CLELAND talking to one of his fans along the streets of Goroka last Saturday as my good mate Tom Soles (with the beard like Osama Bin Laden!), executive officer of the Goroka Show Committee, listens. Bob, for those who came in late, first came to Goroka in 1953 as a 22-year-old kiap, supervised building of the Asaro-Watabung section of the Highlands Highway in 1953, was involved in the very first Goroka Show in 1956, and his Nokondi motif has immortalised him on the Eastern Highlands provincial flag. Trupela man Apo!

A Saturday arvo stroll in Town

Town on a Saturday

After all the 'buai pekpek' of Port Moresby, it was a breath of fresh air to come to Goroka, where the place seems to be so clean. And the beautiful perfumed flowers

What do you notice in this picture, taken in the heart of Goroka town on Saturday? The place is very clean and the flower garden is not full of buai pekpek and litter like Port Moresby!

Welcome to Goroka

By MALUM NALU

Legendary kiap (patrol officer) and Highlands Highway builder Bob Cleland returned to Goroka and Eastern Highlands for the first time since he left in 1976, last Saturday (April 28).

Cleland was feted like royalty the moment he stepped onto the tarmac in Goroka, on which he first set foot on 59 years ago in 1953.
Asaro mudmen and other Eastern Highlands dancers welcomed him back to Goroka, and he was greeted by senior provincial government officials including outgoing provincial administrator MunareUyassi, as blind children from the Mt Sion School for the Blind outside Goroka sang that famous and movingGoroka anthem “Welcome to Goroka”.
Cleland, now aged 81, was clearly overwhelmed by the welcome.

Our good friend BOB CLELAND being presented an Eastern Highlands flag by outgoing provincial administrator MUNARE UYASSI on Saturday. For those who don't know, Cleland was the one who designed the Nokondi motif on this flag.Nokondi is the fabled spirit who had one eye, one ear, one leg and one testicle.Cleland, who supervised the building of the Asaro-Watabung section of the Highlands Highway in 1953, was executive officer of the Eastern Highlands Area Authority (which became the Eastern Highlands provincial government in 1977) from 1975-1976,The new authority needed a common seal, and when Cleland asked members what was something traditional covering the whole Eastern Highlands, they quickly decided on Nokondi.That same image is at the centre of today’s Eastern Highlands provincial flag