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Trek 576 got away yesterday and spent last night at 'Goodwater'. Today they are on the move and expect to make Ofi Creek where they will stop. According to our guide trekkers are doing ok but they decided to give them a short day yesterday so they settle into their trek. Trekkers include :
Earl Snijders and Tabitha Spaeth.
Earl and Tabitha had not met until the briefing. However they both appeared to be happy go lucky people so we are sure they will enjoy their trek with our KTL staff. Earl's mother was originally from Samarai in the Milne Bay Province and he spent some time in PNG during his early years before his parents moved to Australia. Tabitha is toughing it out carrying her own pack!
More photographs have been posted on 'facebook' which you can access by clicking here:
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IMGP1314__640x480_.JPGUpdate: Trekkers are now at the half way point – all is going well and they are heading for home – this being our Orohaven Kokoda Retreat in Kokoda.
Last night they spent the night at Agulogo.
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D6_COOKING_BREAKFAST__Small_.JPG8th April 4:25pm: We apologise for no updates but for some reason Clement has been finding it hard to get a signal out. Today however, he contacted us from Isurava and said Earl had blisters on his feet and was finding it tough.
It seems Tabitha was powering on ahead and he was struggling but both would get out this afternoon.
A further update a short time ago asked that a vehicle drive up to Kovelo to help bring Earl off the track. As we had hired a four wheel vehicle to pick them up and drive them to the airport tomorrow this request was not a problem.
At the time of typing this, the toyota landcrusier is heading to Kovelo.
IMG_1281__Small_.jpgUpdate 8th April: Congratulations must go to Earl and Tabitha for completing their trek having arrived at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat around 6pm tonight.
Tabitha carried her own pack all the way and walked off the track. Earl on the other hand has blisters and was lucky to finish but from what I hear is on top of the world and very happy with himself!
When I spoke to our staff in Kokoda tonight they were about to take the trekkers some pizza. Will be interested to hear Earl's comments tomorrow as he owns and operates his own Italian Restaurant in Brisbane.
Both trekkers are now resting in their individual rooms and tomorrow morning have to be up at 3am for the drive down to Popondetta to catch the Air Niugini flight at 7:55am to Port Moresby.
The road conditions today were not real good and a few detours had to take place which is why the earlier then normal departure time from Kokoda just to make sure they reach Guria airport outside of Popondetta in time to book in.
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Guesthouse_500_size.jpgUpdate 9th April: Trekkers were up bright and early around 3am to prepare and drive down to Popondetta in case of river flooding. As it turned out the road was quite bad and they arrived in Popondetta around 6:45 and not long after headed out to Guria airport.
As I type this they are on board Air Niugini's Dash 8 flight due to touch down in Port Moresby around 8:30am. Am now off to the airport to meet them.
Earlier today I caught up with both our trekkers and congratulated them on their successful trek. They both looked excited to have finished and enjoyed their trek. Tabitha says she is coming back again. As for Noel, I think he was just so pleased to be able to go home and tell his friends and family that he walked the kokoda track. As for Tabitha she took on a challenge and felt she had achieved more then she set out to do!
I took the photograph below not long after I met up with them after arriving on the Air Niugini flight from Popondetta.
Gateway_Hotel.jpgOn behalf of Management and our KTL boys, we appreciate you chose Kokoda Trekking to walk you across the Kokoda Track. May you leave Papua New Guinea with lots of great memories.
kind regards
Gail & the gang at Kokoda Trekking
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