Port Moresby or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, population 255,000 (2000), is the capital and
largest city of Papua New Guinea. The city is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua,
on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea.
The area on which the city was founded has been inhabited by the Motu-Koitabu people
for centuries. It was first sighted by a European in 1873 by Captain John Moresby. It was
named in honour of his father Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby.
The Motuan people of the area now known as Port Moresby traded their pots for sago,
other food and canoe logs, sailing from Hanuabada and other villages built on stilts
above the waters of the bay. They also intermarried with the Gulf people and created
strong family and trade links.
The Hiri expeditions were large-scale. As many as 20 multi-hulled canoes or lakatoi,
crewed by some 600 men, carried about 20,000 clay pots on each journey. To the
Motuans, the Hiri was not only an economic enterprise but they also confirmed their
identity as a tribe because of the long and dangerous voyages. These voyages are
commemorated in modern times by the annual Hiri Moale Festival held at Ela Beach in
September.
The city is often covered by a smoke haze that is created by the numerous small fires lit
beside the road or in the bush by its inhabitants. These are left to burn out without
intervention by the local fire department.
In 2004, Port Moresby was ranked the worst capital city in the world to live in the
Economist Intelligence Unit's ranking of 130 of the world's capital cities (although
Baghdad was not included). High levels of rape, robbery and murder and large areas of
the city controlled by gangs of thugs, known locally as "rascals" (Tok Pisin raskol), were
cited. According to a 2004 article in the Guardian newspaper, unemployment rates are
estimated to be between 60 and 90% and murder rates three times that of Moscow and
23 times the rate in London
PLACE TO VISIT
The Botanical Gardens - A must for the visitor. Has some amazing examples of
PNG wildlife such as birds of paradise, a couple of casowaris, and several other native
birds. If you are lucky you might catch a wedding while you are there as some locals like
to conduct the ceremony in the gardens.
Port Moresby Golf Club - A nice golf course located right across from the
government building. The prices are quite acceptable for visitors. Be careful, crocodiles
inhabit the water holes of the golf course. The local caddies sometimes sneak in at night
and eat a few of them so they dont overpopulate though. The main building has a nice
restaurant where one can have lunch and have a few SP beers after a round of golf.
The Craft Market - Held once per month, this market brings together local artifacts
from all over Papua New Guinea. An easy way to get some beautiful carvings, handwoven
baskets, or any of a number of other things to bring home as souvenirs. They even have
articles made of turtle which the Japanese usually go crazy for.
Touaguba Hill - Perhaps not so much to see, but this is where the ambassadorial
residences are located and is also where many of the well-to-do expats and locals live.
There is a nice view from the top of the hill overlooking the centre of the city and the ocean.
HOW TO REACH
Port Moresby is the main point of entry for all air-traffic and most of the boat-traffic. The
main local airline is called Air Niugini and flies mainly to and from Australian cities, but
also Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Airlines PNG also flies to Cairns and
Brisbane.
Airfares from Australia are expensive, often similar in price to an airfare from Australia to
USA. Ex-pats traveling frequently between Australia and New Guinea often use smaller
regional airlines that, unfortunately, seem to exist for a while then fold. Options include
reaching Port Moresby via a direct flight from Brisbane (BNE), Cairns (CNS) or especially,
as of 2006, from Townsville (TSV).
Scheduling can be painful to those used to multiple daily flights elsewhere in the world.
Most airlines only fly 2-3 days per week, with typically only one flight per day. If you're
travelling to or from elsewhere in PNG, you may need to overnight in Port Moresby.
