Port Moresby

Kia ora from Port Moresby! Supposedly one of the most dangerous cities in the world, but I think its all right. I am currently staying at the Holiday Inn, a nice wee spot central to all government departments and ideal for a cold beer by the pool. Chur.

“Wolfy, what the hell are you doing in a hotel in Moresby?”I hear you ask. Well, I’ve probably already mentioned that I am initiating a review of Bougainville’s development strategy, and that required me coming to Moresby and talking to the National Department of Planning and the National Statistics Office about data they might have and strategic plans they have in place. Going well so far, got a free lunch today so sweet as.

This is my first trip to Moresby and I have to say, its different to any city I have visited. Crime here is pretty bad, car jackings, robbery and the odd stabbing are not uncommon. The only obvious signs that this ain’t like home is a) the barb wire and spiked fences and b) the graffiti. Its everywhere. Its so bad I feel like asking people why they are not doing something about it. I mean it, every fence that can be tagged has been tagged, at least in the areas I have seen. Given that by their own statistics law and order is getting worse every year, this is not very reassuring. Don’t worry though, I’m perfectly safe and have yet to walk more than a two blocks by myself.

All this has got me curious. What is the most dangerous city on earth? Baghdad? Hastings? Kabul? Google tells me that Detroit is the most dangerous city in the US, based on the number of murders, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, and Eminem impersonators. Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq are listed by Forbes as being the most dangerous countries to visit, so I think we can place Mogadishu, Kabul and Baghdad as some of the most dangerous cities. And, in case you need to add a few more cities to your list, a world wide quality of living survey lists Baghdad as the worst, but that’s no surprise, and also adds Brazzaville in Congo (never heard of it), Bangui in the Central African Republic (never heard of either) and Khartoum in Sudan (flew over it, hope I never land there).

So there ya go, nothing to worry about!