Lark Force Pilgrimage

Pete McGuiness with Bainings kids.


Lark Force trek departure photo.

A while back I carried out a three day trek through East New Britain with South Sea Horizons and met some interesting characters along the way. Here is a story about one man's journey to retrace his father's steps when part of the disastrous Rabaul defence during World War II.

http://www.thenational.com.pg/070309/wkender6.php

and here is a longer version:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/lifestyle/travel/2567943/Retracing-lark-force-wartime-treks

REDD Monitor

For all those who can’t get enough information on the exciting developments on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) - check out www.redd-monitor.org.
It's a valuable source of climate change and forestry news all into one neat little package.
This week they gave the Economist and AAP PNG a pat on the back for their tireless carbon eco-warrior like journalism…So we like them extra more!

http://www.redd-monitor.org/2009/07/02/png-update-yasause-suspended-dodgy-carbon-credits-and-carbon-ripoffs/

RH Knighthood Outrage

Environment groups are outraged billionaire Malaysian owner of Rimbunan Hijau (RH) logging company, Tiong Hiew King, has been awarded a knighthood for work in Papua New Guinea.
The Swiss organisation Bruno Manser Fund dubbed Tiong 'Knight of the Chainsaw'.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au:80/article.aspx?id=833079

Family Mistaken for Car Thieves

Driving home along up Lawes Road and here is a slice of famous Port Moreby - several shots fired and some locals now lying on the ground. Such is life in Paradise. After a few more questions the story emerges that perhaps here lies innocent men. Over zealous security may have mistaken them for car thieves....again, such is life in Paradise....

Park versus Supermarket PNG style

PNG's PM Michael Somare and his Deputy Puka Temu, the Lands Minister are in dispute over a park opposite one of Port Moresby's major supermarket's Boroko Foodworld. Locals who remember say the same zoning issues lapsed when Foodworld was built. So why is the PM so committed to saving some slides for PNG kiddies?

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=47506

This is not a Climate Change pipe

PNG's Office of Climate Change director Dr Theo has been suspended so an investigation into the office can be conducted...

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/832299/png-climate-office-director-suspended

Stinky End Thwarted

In a past life in London I worked for some of the world's best/worst tabloids. But moving to the AAP foreign correspondent role in PNG does not necessarily mean serious journalism.
In fact it is very apparent the Australian media obsession with PNG is not serious at all. It's all a little too complicated and different so what they want, or the media wants, is a healthy dose of witches, raskols, 'ooga booga' weird that keeps every one at a safe distance, happy in their prejudices. Oh don't forget a healthy dose of plane crashes and high alert for ex-pat rape and murder.
But having said all that- there is no doubt an endless supply of cracking PNG yarns that would make any hackneyed tabloid editor moist with excitment.

So here is some more from the classic PNG vault - I've already been complimented for managing to work sorcery into a toilet suicide bid...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25712697-12335,00.html


by popular demand here are some others-

Wife killed after testicle-jibe

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,,24291896-1702,00.html

Women bash serial bottom pincher

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24222989-23109,00.html

And here is a friends favourite - picked up by reuters..

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKSYD29791720080409