Papua New Guinea
Business dress is moderately casual, befitting PNG's tropical climate. Work attire usually consists of shirt and tie or sport shirt for men, and light business suit or dress for women. In most areas, lightweight clothing is appropriate year round, but warmer clothes may be necessary in the Highlands, especially in the evening. The workday is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday for most people. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. Most business and government offices do not open on the weekends. English is the official language of government and commerce and will be spoken by almost all people with whom the business traveler is likely to deal. However, the language understood by the majority of Papua New Guineans is Melanesian Pidgin.
Serious crime is particularly high in the capital, Port Moresby, and in the cities of Lae and Mt Hagen. In particular, since September 2006, there has been an increase in serious incidents in Lae and on the road between Nadzab airport and Lae, between the one and ten mile settlement areas. Armed carjackings are common in all three cities as are robberies, including those that take place inside shops and restaurants. Firearms and bush knives (machetes) are the criminals’ weapons of choice.
Rape and gang rape are a serious problem across the country. It is particularly dangerous to walk after dark in most major towns. The situation is generally safer away from large towns.
Avoid squatter (“settlement”) areas of towns. Stay away from public protests and disputes, as these may turn violent.
Avoid carrying anything you are not willing to lose.
The deployment of police reinforcements for the State of Emergency in the Southern Highlands Province has resulted in fewer police officers elsewhere in Papua New Guinea. Opportunistic crime is more likely.
Do not use public buses known locally as PMVs, as they are ill-maintained and see high rates of crime. There have been incidents of armed hold-ups of PMVs and of passengers being attacked and robbed of their personal belongings. There are occasional rape attacks on Port Moresby PMVs.
Family, friends or hotel courtesy buses should meet you on arrival at international or domestic airports. Taxis are available in some major centers, but these can be badly maintained, and you should check about their reliability with your hotel or guesthouse. If you use a taxi, ensure that you agree a fare before getting into the taxi, irrespective of whether or not there is a meter.
If you intend to walk a trail or track, including the Kokoda Trail, travel only with guides from a reputable tour company and pay the relevant fees prior to walking the Trail. There have been serious attacks and robberies at both ends of the Kokoda Trail, most recently in October 2005. Although community leaders have assured tourists of their safety and well being while walking the Kokoda Trail, exercise caution. WWII unexploded ordnance still exists in Papua New Guinea, particularly along the Kokoda Trail and at Milne Bay and Rabual.
There are hotels of moderate to good quality in Port Moresby and other major towns. Suitable Western-style residential and business premises are available in urban areas. Rental rates are high due to the shortage of land available for lease. There are several good restaurants in Port Moresby and other major towns.
Telephone IDD service is available. The country code is 675. The outgoing international code is 05. There are no area codes in Papua New Guinea. Fax services are available at all major companies and government departments. Telegram facilities are available in main centers. Post office hours are 0800-1600 Monday to Friday and 0900-1200 Saturday.
Electricity is 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Australian-style 3-pin plugs are in use. Some hotels provide 110-volt outlets in guestrooms.
240 volts AC, 50Hz. Australian-style three-pin plugs are in use. Some hotels provide 110-volt outlets in guest-rooms.
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Hotel dining rooms cater for most visitors and menus in main centers are fairly extensive. The more remote the area, the more likely it is that the menus will be basic. However, increasing use is made of fresh local meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, including pineapples, pawpaws, mangoes, passion fruit and bananas. Traditional cuisine of Papua New Guinea is based on root crops such as taro, kaukau and yams, sago and pig (cooked in the earth on traditional feasts). Mumu is a traditional dish combining pork, sweet potatoes, rice and greens. The number of European, Chinese and Indonesian restaurants
is rising. Waiter service is usual. Alcohol is readily available and includes Australian and Filipino beers.Tipping:
Not customary and discouraged.Nightlife
Several hotels in Port Moresby have dancing in the evenings and some organize live entertainment. The Arts Theater stages regular performances. The local newspaper advertises programs. Sing-sings, tribal events on a smaller scale than the biannual festival, are sometimes held.
