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This morning we dropped off our latest group of trekkers. Two from Mackay and one from Victoria. Trekkers are as follows:
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[*]Laura Kidd
[*]Teena Matai
[*]Travis WilliamsThe girls arrived around 2pm yesterday and on our drive up to Sogeri we were all wondering how old Travis was and how he would fit in with the two females from MacKay.
As his flight was running late we did not get the chance to meet him until after 5pm and soon felt he would fit in perfectly with the two girls we dropped off earlier as they already had something in common being all high school teachers.
So this morning when we caught up with them again it was clear that they would get on ok and enjoy their trek as all three were excited and looking forward to walking and it seems were already paying each other out, joking around and taking in the atmosphere.
Before we drove off, I took a photograph outside Sogeri Lodge:
All photographs taken this morning have been posted to our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151214634035971.513120.374403025970&type=1
IMGP1805 1280×768.JPGOn the way, we stopped at McDonald's Corner. We asked if they would like to get out and to which they replied straight away, yes.
So here they are standing next to the statue called 'Fred' paying their respects to the 39th.
I often think when I am at this spot about Bob McDonald (PJ's son) as we got to know him quite well and were sorry to hear of his passing some years ago. I am sure he would be proud to think trekkers still stop here on their way to Owers' Corner.
On one such meeting with Bob, he invited us for lunch on the way up to meet with Stan Bissett. He cooked a loaf of bread and it was so nice, still thinking about it how many years later!
IMGP1807 1280×768.JPGTrekkers seen here in the back of the troopy on the way to Owers' Corner:
IMGP1806 1280×768.JPGAt Owers' Corner the girls got to meet their personal porters, Eddie Idau and Ivan Semie.
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IMGP1815 1280×768.JPGSome other photographs taken this morning at Owers' Corner:
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IMGP1820 1280×768.JPGA group photograph was taken and Clement Harika their guide informed them of what the expectations would be for today – showed them where they would be heading. Other staff were introduced to them and it was soon time to move off and head down to Goldie River.
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IMGP1827 1280×768.JPGThe guide for this trek is Clement Harika from Saga Village in Kokoda. Clement loves to walk the track with trekkers, has a good knowledge of the history and is a likeable guy. I am sure the group will enjoy their trek with the KTL boys chosen to walk along with them.
IMGP1828 1280×768.JPGbye bye trek 795 – have a great trek:
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IMGP1832 1280×768.JPGClement called me around 3pm to say they had reached their destination for today being Ua'Ule Creek. The girls slugged it out a bit harder today and its seems Travis is a natural at this stage of their trek. Tomorrow he has decided to give them a short day to Ofi Creek.
On this trek we have our builder/tiler/handyman by the name of Willie walking for the first time. Willie helps pack food so walking will give him the experience needed to know how the operation works so he appreciates trekkers and boys needs whilst on the Kokoda Track.
Also walking for the first time is a guy from Pirive Village by the name of Gideon. A couple of months ago, we needed work done on our sago roofs situated at Orohaven and a huge number of Pirive boys came to the rescue. As a thank you I now have to find space for them on our various treks. To date approximately 20 of them have walked with still some 10-12 waiting in the wings for their turn. Most of these boys have never been in Port Moresby, never flown on a plane etc so today it was Gideon's turn to walk in a pair of thongs and follow in the footsteps of the other 20 boys before him. Some of them struggle but according to Clement Gideon has done ok today.
Also on this trek is Ivan Semie. I asked Ivan today how come I had never heard of him prior to 2012 and he remarked that he had been living in Wewak. I kid you not, everytime this guy heads out on the track, all trekkers come back in commenting about him. He jokes; works hard and goes the extra yard to make sure you enjoy your trek. Putting him on often to walk is my way of saying thank you to him for a job well done. For anyone reading this who may be walking in the future with Kokoda Trekking, yes you can request him or any of our other KTL boys and we will do our best to put them on your trek.
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IMGP1591 1280×768.JPGTrekkers have now reached Ofi Creek and tomorrow will head off to Agulogo. According to Clement, everyone is doing just great, no problems whatsoever. Tomorrow they have the big climb up Maguli Range to look forward to.
Climbing up from Ofi Creek.jpgUpdate From Wednesday 26th September :
Trek 795 – trekkers are now climbing up Maguli Range on their way to Naoro, all is good!
150185_10151217413390971_560673983_n.jpgUpdate From Wednesday 27th September :
Trek 795: trekkers have now reached Efogi the half way point – everyone continues to do well.
543281_10151218804060971_175695716_n.jpgTrekkers are now at Myola Junction/1900 area so they should start to notice a drop in the temperature. The days are warm but the nights are cool so the two from Mackay they might feel it tonight.
Today they would have seen Kokoda through the Kokoda Gap so will no doubt be getting xcited as they head for the finish line in Kokoda.
Only one more night on the track as they walk off on the 30th Sept.
Today another private group that walked with us just dropped off their guide and porters who remarked the group were doing really well when they passed them a couple of days back.
Naduri Village.jpgTrekkers have now reached Isurava Memorial one of the highlights of the track. Tomorrow they will walk out into Kokoda having successfully completed their trek.
Isurava (8) 640×480.JPGTrekkers have just reached Kokoda Station, congratulations from all of us here at Kokoda Trekking. By 4pm they should be down at Orohaven where they will spend the night before they fly back to Port Moresby tomorrow. Well done to the High School Teachers and of course our staff who walked along with them. Picture them this afternoon as they walked towards the finish line!
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