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Bang Bao, Koh Chang, Thailand (left) and Hanuabada, Port Moresby (right) In science fiction and fantasy, a parallel universe is a world theorised as existing alongside our own, which has similarities but is fundamentally different. The Cambridge Dictionary describes a parallel universe as:   “a world that exists in addition to, and is like, the world that we know, but that is also different from it in important ways.” And so, I entered a portal and was transported to the Kingdom of Thailand. Amazing Thailand When I arrived, I was amazed. I discovered that ‘Amazing Thailand’ is a promotional slogan of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to promote tourism. Originally conceived in 1998, the slogan was then extended for several years. Since then, it has become a permanent, and very appropriate, trademark of Thailand. Once I had entered this parallel universe, I soon realised that Thailand was tru...

International travel is back to pre-COVID levels and technology has risen to the occasion with a slew of new translation gadgets. The devices mentioned in this article are generally available via Amazon – it’s unlikely you will find these for sale in Papua New Guinea. If you travel overseas frequently and things are getting lost in translation, then one of these devices may be useful. These pocket-sized gadgets are useful for simple conversations, asking for directions, interpreting street signs, and navigating public transportation. Some are relatively simple, and others are more sophisticated, with touch screens, built-in cameras, pronunciation assistance, offline support, and accurate translation for dozens of languages. A dedicated translation device will give you quicker results than fumbling around with a translation app on your mobile phone.   However, some of these devices do work in tandem with a dedicated smartphone app. Here are some of the best translation g...

Happening now: solar storm activity 11 May 2024: WASHINGTON (AFP) — The most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth on Friday, triggering spectacular celestial light shows in skies from Tasmania to Britain — and threatening possible disruptions to satellites and power grids as it persists into the weekend. The first of several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun — came just after 1600 GMT, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Space Weather Prediction Center. It was later upgraded to an “extreme” geomagnetic storm — the first since the so-called “Halloween Storms” of October 2003 caused blackouts in Sweden and damaged power infrastructure in South Africa. More CMEs are expected to pummel the planet in the coming days. PIC:  Aurora Australis  (Southern Lights) over Western Australia, May 2024 (Source: ABC) What is a solar storm? We wrote and published the following bl...

  Apple and Samsung both have handy tracking tags that work with your mobile phone and network to help you locate lost valuables. For example, if you travel and worry about losing your bag, then slip a tag in your bag. If the bag goes missing or is picked up by mistake, the tracking tag will help you locate it. (Note: In reference to our previous blog, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has declared these devices are OK to fly in check-in luggage). There are many similar devices on the market, however for the sake of simplicity, let's look at the two main players in Apple and Samsung. Apple AirTag AirTag is a really easy way to keep track of your stuff. Attach one to your keys, slip another in your backpack. And just like that, they’re on your radar in the Find My app, where you can also track down your Apple devices and keep up with friends and family. OS 17 lets you share AirTag with up to five people. So items that everyone uses — lik...

The following information is presented in the interests of community safety and general public awareness. Fires caused by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have increased dramatically around the world in recent years with deadly consequences. These batteries are commonly used in home electronics such as phones, laptop computers, tablets, and other devices requiring plug-in charging. Residential solar battery systems also utilise the technology. The batteries are small and powerful, but when used incorrectly or damaged, they can overheat, catch fire, or explode. These days, lithium-ion batteries are the most widespread portable energy storage solution, hence a greater probability of something going wrong. Papua New Guinea is not an ideal environment for these kinds of batteries due to several factors including: excessive heat and humidity and increased risk of prolonged exposure to sunlight; an uneven, unreliable power supply; a range of imported, cheap, sometimes fake batter...

When we think about the Kokoda Trail, we think about the harsh conditions under which the Australian and Japanese forces fought during the Second World War. By today’s standards, there was nothing high-tech about the encounter. In fact, in some battles, troops needed to resort to brutal hand-to-hand combat. There were also no choppers to evacuate the wounded. Instead, it was partly up to the famous ‘fuzzy-wuzzy angels’ to assist in carrying the sick and wounded to makeshift hospitals along the trail. Charlie Lynn, in his book 100 Treks Across the Kokoda Trail , states that the Kokoda campaign was what the army would classify as a ‘small arms war’ – there were no army tanks or heavy artillery because it was not possible for them to operate in such a rugged and unforgiving jungle environment. It was therefore man against man, mortars, grenades, rifles and bayonets.  During the war, there was some knowledge of the terrain although, once again, by today’s standards, it was limite...