Work & Witness - PNG Nazarene Hospital Mission

Travel Tips!
Documents:

Make sure to have two copies of passport, driver’s license, immunization, cards, and itinerary someplace else besides your back pack or purse. Documents as electronic copy on a stick are great or even on your computer. You will need your passport almost everywhere so use a travel belt or something that goes around your neck to carry your important documents. Something that is easy to get to and quick to use. Don’t carry your money all in one place.

Suggestion: Go to the driver’s license bureau and get a state ID. This will look like a driver’s license but will say ID. With another person coming on the trip give them your ID card and a copy of your passport. This will insure that if you lose yours or in case of an emergency someone else will have copies.

Airline Tickets:

When making your tickets with the agency it is VERY IMPORTANT that you get your ticket booked straight threw to Mt. Hagen. This is important for not paying more for luggage. You most likely have to pay more at Port Moresby however when we traveled this was an issue that would have saved us money.

Money:

Traveler checks (You can’t use them in PNG)
ATM Debit Card - Use in PNG
VISA Card/Master Card – Limited Use in PNG only a couple of stores

VISA Debit Card – Use in PNG

Exchange Money:

Upon arrival in Port Morseby - exchange $100 into kina. At this time it is close to 3 Kina to a U.S. Dollar. This will give you some money until you go to Mt. Hagen to shop. As you come though immigration at the airport to pick up your luggage there is an exchange rate booth.

Items for Flight:

Water bottle - Take it empty through security then fill it up. You need to stay hydrated traveling. It really helps. Snacks - Don’t eat lots of sugar it doesn’t give you energy. A few healthy snacks may be helpful for if you have layovers.

Rest - Try to sleep and nap as much as possible on the flights. No nuts, seeds, or fruit may be brought into PNG.
Reading - Have a good book for reading, puzzles, etc.
Pillow - Blow up pillow is nice

Jacket/sweater - a light jacket or sweater. You won’t need a jacket in Port Morseby

Air New Guinea –

You will be given a document to complete while on the airplane for your tourist visa upon arrival in Port Morseby (unless you have obtained in the United States before traveling). After unloading proceed to the Tourist Visa line. You will have to pay for your tourist visa at that point and time. Immigration officers will require you to go across the room to the exchange window and get Kina and bring back for paying for the Tourist Visa. After getting your visa and luggage you will go through immigration inspection.

Immigration Check:

You will then proceed through the immigration area where they will go through your luggage and items that you bring. We found it helpful to have everything labeled visibly with the complete address on the outside with the Nazarene Hospital - Kudjip. Just expect them to look through all your items. If they don’t it is a bonus.

Identify with the Nazarene Hospital – Kudjip:
Don’t be afraid to say that you are with the Nazarene Hospital – Kudjip coming to see the Hospital. They know the Nazarene Hospital and like it very much. We have a good reputation. In fact they will be more likely to help you with anything you need.

Caution:

Be very careful about your personal items. DO NOT leave them unattended. Hold on to your backpack/purse. In fact carry it in front of you at all times. Have a good hand on all personal belongings. They can disappear quickly.
Be observant of your surroundings. Know what is going on at all times.

Domestic Flight Counter:

You will then go to the check-in counter for Air New Guinea look for the shortest line. Let them know you are flying to Mt. Hagen to go the Nazarene Hospital. Check in your luggage and check for flight times. If time is short between flights ask for help getting to the flight. You will walk to another building and go through security. Being a missionary you can walk right up to the front of the line and go through security if you feel like doing it. We were with a security guard when we can through so that really helped.

Make sure to e-mail your itinerary to Mike Chapman (mike@chapmanconnection.com) so that we can be at the airport to pick you up. At Mt. Hagen Michael or a representative will meet you. You will need to make sure that you are standing right by the luggage pick up. Make sure you get your luggage immediately or someone else will. Someone from the station will be there to help you.

Culture - The people are very friendly and always want to help you carry things. They want paid. It is ok to say no and don’t just hand them your items. You will find that they push right up against you and aren’t afraid of touching you. Do not be alarmed. Make sure to have all your items secure. Present yourself with confidence and that you know what you are doing.

Singapore is a very clean airport - easy to find your way around. Just ask the people, they are very helpful.

Digicel Phone numbers –

Mike Chapman – Country code 675 72549626

Scot Riggins – Country code 675 72142749
Phone Numbers - on station not always working
Field Office – Country code 675 546-2534
Country code 675 546-2539