looking for advice in Madang

battambang06:27 UTC23 Oct 2007

I'm going to volunteer in Madang for 6 months, does anyone have advice for what I need to bring with me? Main things I have so far are DEET, doxycycline, a mask and snorkel, and just the regular personal items and clothes. Looking for other suggestions, or any other suggestions for small items I can bring to donate to local organizations.

northmelbournedn13:10 UTC24 Oct 2007

You will be able to buy most basics in the supermarkets in Madang. Anti malaria medications are available over the counter in PNG, including doxycline.

Two things you could consider:

1. If you want to donate some things to local organisations wait till you get to Madang and find out what they really need and then buy it in Madang or if not available in Madang, buy it on a trip to Moresby, or ask someone who is coming to Moresby to buy it for you. This also reduces the freight charges you may have to pay on bringing too much stuff with you.

2. As I said, you will be able to get all the basics in Madang. What you should bring with you are those special things that you enjoy, such as (not sure if you are male or female) deodorants, perfrume, cosmetices, medicines, your favorite coffee etc....

ozziegiraffe19:35 UTC24 Oct 2007

Be careful taking doxycycline for 6 months - I have never taken it for more than 3, and the recommended tome is 2 months.
If you take ti for longer than a couple of weeks, take some acidophilus tablets with you - it may not be easy to get yoghurt (the other option) in Madang. (and don't take the acidophilus you need to keep in the fridge - it will get tom warm in transit.)
As for gifts for locals - simple sporting goods like balls are very popular, especially soccer balls.

ecomel18:12 UTC26 Oct 2007

Bring lots of pairs of SOCKS with you to give away as gifts. You can buy just about anything in PNG these days except good quality cotton/woollen socks. All you can buy everywhere is cheap nylon or polyester based socks and thats why everybody's feet stink.
Even in Port Moresby there's only one or two specialist menswear shops that sell cotton or woollen socks and they are ridiculously expensive.
Ankle or shin length work socks are best, or sports socks. Everybody here wears Dunlop KT26 runners, they cost about PGK70 and are fairly long wearing.

The main Supermarket in Madang sells about 60-70% of what you can buy in K Mart back home.

looking for advice in Madang Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea
battambang06:27 UTC23 Oct 2007	I'm going to volunteer in Madang for 6 months, does anyone have advice for what I need to bring with me? Main things I have so far are DEET, doxycycline, a mask and snorkel, and just the regular personal items and clothes. Looking for other suggestions, or any other suggestions for small items I can bring to donate to local organizations.
northmelbournedn13:10 UTC24 Oct 2007	You will be able to buy most basics in the supermarkets in Madang. Anti malaria medications are available over the counter in PNG, including doxycline. Two things you could consider: 1. If you want to donate some things to local organisations wait till you get to Madang and find out what they really need and then buy it in Madang or if not available in Madang, buy it on a trip to Moresby, or ask someone who is coming to Moresby to buy it for you. This also reduces the freight charges you may have to pay on bringing too much stuff with you. 2. As I said, you will be able to get all the basics in Madang. What you should bring with you are those special things that you enjoy, such as (not sure if you are male or female) deodorants, perfrume, cosmetices, medicines, your favorite coffee etc....	1
ozziegiraffe19:35 UTC24 Oct 2007	Be careful taking doxycycline for 6 months - I have never taken it for more than 3, and the recommended tome is 2 months. If you take ti for longer than a couple of weeks, take some acidophilus tablets with you - it may not be easy to get yoghurt (the other option) in Madang. (and don't take the acidophilus you need to keep in the fridge - it will get tom warm in transit.) As for gifts for locals - simple sporting goods like balls are very popular, especially soccer balls.	2
ecomel18:12 UTC26 Oct 2007	Bring lots of pairs of SOCKS with you to give away as gifts. You can buy just about anything in PNG these days except good quality cotton/woollen socks. All you can buy everywhere is cheap nylon or polyester based socks and thats why everybody's feet stink. Even in Port Moresby there's only one or two specialist menswear shops that sell cotton or woollen socks and they are ridiculously expensive. Ankle or shin length work socks are best, or sports socks. Everybody here wears Dunlop KT26 runners, they cost about PGK70 and are fairly long wearing. The main Supermarket in Madang sells about 60-70% of what you can buy in K Mart back home.	3