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This morning around 7am this trek commenced from Kokoda Station and will walk off the track at Owers' Corner on the 7th June. On this trek is a well known actor by the name of Matt Le Nevez who is presently on TV in the role of Patrick on the series Offspring. Walking with him is Shaun Foster who until Matt decided to join him at the last minute was about to walk the track by himself.
Everything for Shaun went as it should have done. He arrived in PNG on time, flew over to Popondetta and was driven up to Kokoda in a hire vehicle.
In relation to Matt, he ran into a few hurdles which we worked around and he is now on the track. The first hurdle was when the flight he was on from LA was diverted to Melbourne instead of landing in Sydney due to thick fog. He was then in the aircraft for hours waiting to see if they could fly to Sydney. In the end they were all allowed to leave the plane but obviously he had missed his connection to Cairns.
The earliest he could arrive in PNG was via Cairns at 8am the next day but this was already after the morning flight to Popondetta so he was booked on the afternoon flight. Russell on the ground in Kokoda drove Shaun up to Kokoda then returned to Popondetta to pick up Matt – so two trips up and down the road but it all worked out well and he arrived at Kokoda around 4pm.
Last night it rained heavily and this morning they got away slightly later than what they had planned but are now on the track. As I type this, they were at Deniki. According to Clement Harika their guide, both trekkers were doing ok carrying their packs. The plan for today is to head to Isurava Memorial for the night.
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Matt Le Nevez 640×480.jpgLast night was spent at Isurava Memorial as planned. Today this trek has reached Templeton's II where they are camped for the night. Tomorrow they have a big day ahead of them as they try for the half way point of Efogi plan a) and Naduri plan b). So far so good, everyone is ok and enjoying themselves.
On this trek I put Hobert Keke so no doubt he is keeping them all entertained along with Ivan Semie running around making sure they are all ok. Clement Harika is the guide so no doubt is informing them of the history as they walk along the track. Today they would have crossed over the newly constructed bridge at Eora Creek and no doubt taken the opportunity for some photographs.
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Ivan Semie.jpgThis group had a big day yesterday as Clement their guide phoned last night to say they were all asleep except himself, tired after a long day of walking. Tomorrow they have a much shorter day as they are heading up Brigade Hill and then on to Agulogo to spend the night. Everyone continues to do well.
Trek 715 Brigade Hill.jpgReceived a phone call from Clement advising me they reached their destination of Agulogo around 3:30pm this afternoon. Some time was spent sitting around enjoying our boys company and that of another trekking company who came over to talk to Matt.
Clement remarked that Matt was really nice and had bought them some coke and some twisties. I asked how him and Shaun were getting on with each other and he replied they appear to be enjoying each other's company as they walk along the track. Clement said that Matt has learnt the KTL song and today was singing it as he walked along.
Agulogo 640×480.JPGHeard from both Clement and Matt today from Maguli Range. Also received another phone call from Ioribaiwa. Seems the trek is going along just great and Matt sounded excited as he knew they were getting closer to the finish line.
A special request was phoned through which we are working on at the moment to ensure it happens.
Matt said it was a bit harder than he imagined it to be but proud to be carrying his own pack. He also mentioned that Shaun has done well and that the boys had been fantastic. Matt stated he was going to purchase a gift for them when he gets back home to do with the State of Origin. Two boys support Queensland and the other one NSW.
Tomorrow they head to Goldie River for their last night on the track!
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Ioriawba Ridge 640×480.JPGTrekkers reached Goldie River this afternoon which is where they will spend the night. Tomorrow morning around 7am they will walk off the track and no doubt be quite proud of themselves as they pause under the archway and reflect on the past few days and what happened during the war.
Picture them tomorrow as they make their way up the last hill and walk under the archway.
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Archway3.jpgCongratulations are in order for the two trekkers as they walked off the track early this morning and are now enjoying some R & R at Loloata Dive Resort.
Mid morning I spoke to both Matt and Stuart and they just loved their time on the track both saying they were going to come back next year and walk it in the opposite direction. Matt indicated he would love to come and walk with his brother.
Thanks to you both for choosing to walk with us and our Kokoda Trekking staff.
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