Hello everyone or as they say in PNG, Olgeta! We trust that you have enjoyed the festive season and that your focus now is on training to walk the Kokoda Trail in April 2006.

We wish to remind everyone that payment for these treks is due on or before the 16th February. If you are uncertain as to how much to pay, please email me:

gail@pngbd.com

Please do not forget to add on the extra $100.00 to cover the additional pick-ups and ground transport to and from the Bomana War Cemetry for the Dawn Service and the Gunfire Breakfast at Aussie High Commission, then on to the Yacht Club for Lunch and "Two-Up"

Payment Options:

Option 1 – Bank Transfer: – 'preferred option' – please make payment by transferring funds directly into our bank account. However, we ask that you write down your name as the transfer description and trek reference so we can identify your payment. If you choose this method, please email me advising payment has been made so I can trace and allocate against your name. Our bank details are as follows:

Account Name: Kokoda Trekking
Bank: St. George Bank
BSB: 114-879
Account No.: 002 683 061

Option 2: Credit Card: Visa and Master Card. Your payment can be made using your Visa or Master Card and it will be processed in real time. We utilise secure SSL encryption on our payment forms and we do not store your card number on our system for security reasons.

CLICK HERE:

Travel Options:

For those of you who are yet to book and purchase your airline tickets, please contact either of the two following options URGENTLY:

Option 1: Cheapest option is out of Cairns with Airlines of PNG and an online booking to travel with Jetstar or Virgin to Cairns from Melbourne & Brisbane or anywhere else in Australia. If you book online earlier enough and travel in off peak times you should get a cheap fare.

Contact details:

Email Jack Balil: jack.balil@apng.com

cc:

Email Louise Shears: louise.shears@apng.com

Should you need to contact their supervisor, please email:

GEORGINA BREEUWER – SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER
Telephone: (07) 4040 6737 Mobile: 0428 406 737

Email: georgina@qldregionalairlines.com.au

Owing to your treks commencing on Sunday the 16th April, you would need to ask Georgina if they would consider putting on a direct flight to cater for the extra passengers. I will be meeting with her on Friday and I will put this question to her otherwise it means travelling up on Friday 14th. I am pretty sure however, if they get enough requests they may consider putting on a direct flight, CNS/POM and then connecting direct POM/KOK Sunday 16th April.

Option 2: Air Niugini/Qantas Brisbane to Port Moresby. With this option you would need to arrive the day before to be there in time for the flight to Kokoda. If you choose this option and book and pay before the 1st April, wholesale rates will apply which works out around the $1200 mark approximately including a nights accommodation before and after the trek.

Contact Fay, Jetset Travel: fay.burleigh@jetset.com.au

If you do not get a quick response, please email her boss:

petermcmahon@action-international.com

Please note: if you choose this option, you have to pay for your ticket before the 1st April.

Travel Insurance: we request proof of travel insurance before anyone will be allowed to trek. Please ensure you take out cover at the time you purchase your ticket.

Accommodation suggestions that can also be booked through either travel agent:

1. Gateway Hotel – the first choice of 90% of trekkers due to its location near the airport and where the majority of our trekkers stay.
2. Lamana Hotel (around the $60-70 per night bracket)
3. Airways Hotel (dearer of these five) good quality hotel close to airport
4. Hideaway Hotel (cheapest of the five) includes free breakfast
5. Crowne Plaza (the ultimate in luxury that Port Moresby has to offer)

Please Note: All hotels in Port Moresby offer a free pickup and dropoff to and from the airport.

Hire of Personal Porters – cost $450.00 each: we would like to remind everyone, that the Kokoda Trail is a tough walk and if you are not up to carrying your pack that you put your hand up in 'advance' and book a porter.

During the Anzac period porters are heavily booked and you therefore need to state in advance your desire to hire a porter to help you get from a – b safely and more important successfully as its a lot of money to spend only to be airlifted off due to fatigue!

Hope this helps. If you need to contact me for any reason whatsoever, please do not hesitate to do so.

I am presently on the Gold Coast until mid March when I return to PNG. If you need to call me please do not hesitate to do so on (07) 55 716 512

All of us at KTL (Kokoda Trekking Ltd) are looking forward to the new trekking season and welcoming you all to PNG.

Happly Training – remember the fitter you are the more you will enjoy your trek!