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Seven Days ago, Saturday 13th was perhaps the first steps to a dream come true
for Gail Thomas and her old time friend Beverley Howell.Berverley flew in from Australia to join Gail in her attempt to walk and complete the 96km WWII Kokoda Trail in the Oro province of Papua New Guinea where Australian diggers bravely fought off advancing Japanese soldiers in 1945.
Two days from now on, both women will end their nine day ultimate struggle on this extremely challenging track which will enable them to share in the fame and glory, pain and possibly, the pride that many Australians share today after following in the footsteps of the aussie diggers.
Both women will probably celebrate their victorious end afterwards when they reach the end of the track – Kokoda Station – now they are intent on conquering a few more nasty mountains before the end.
Today alone is the 7th day of the trek – which in described terms – "tough, not so easy" even for an average trekker like Gail and Beverly.
Gail, though out of breathe from Kagi village, which is sprawled somewhere along the hazardous trail could not hide this fact.
"We are doing pretty okay today and ready to battle our way up to Myola. It is hard and not easy but we are in fine condition," Gail said.
The group have not decided yet where they will camp for the night but it is likely that Myola junction will be next stop over.
Aussie as she is commonly known through the internet is yet to reach the highest peak in Kokoda – Mt Bellamy which is well over 3000 feet high.
"I find it hard climbing up then going down hill," she says. Maybe she's battling the fears quiet well..but we supposed she can do it.
Last night the group stayed over at Efogi where aussie met the village chief. After having known her by name through the porters and guides, the chief was surprised at her appearance yesterday.
The women took the time yesterday to visit villages and meet people, including women and children.
Two more days and this two daring women would have achieved their first walk as well as savour the first taste of the victory of having accomplished the long walk – possibly the longest in their lives.
We will hear more from aussie herself when she returns from Kokoda.
ends..//
DSC01201__Small_.JPGShe's done it – She's completed the trek – It's Over!!
It was a dream come true for aussie (Gail Thomas) and her old time friend Beverly Howell when they reached the end of their journey.
Yes, she's made it! This time aussie had conquered the mighty Kokoda Trail in just nine days. Aussie and Beverly successfully ended their trek at 6.30pm on Sunday (their scheduled date of arrival) after a hard nine days of exhausting walk, climbs, and even falls along the perilous 96km WWII Trek.
It was tough but hey, who said aussie would not do it? Of course she had proven at last that if anyone could do it – she could. They did it the unusual way from Ower's Corner to Kokoda – which is extremely tough – and completed their trek at the approximate time of 68 hours.
Today aussie will be arriving from Popondetta with Russell Eroro the father of Kokoda Trekking Limited on their flight on Air Niugini with something worth sharing – her experiences of the challenging trek.
Also today when she arrives we will be equal in our Kokoda conquest. She has added 1 trek on belt already so as the rest of us here at Matryx Limited except for Gava Lakau, Kenny – the hausboi and Richard – Russell's Driver in Kokoda.
For those of us who have done it – John Thomas, Russell Eroro, Jessie Garap including me… Alison Anis – it's congratulations to you Gail and Berverly on your successful trek.
Ends..//
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