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On the 24th April we met up with Soc Kienzle and his fellow trekkers as they prepared to board two chartered flights into Kokoda for the first Anzac Day service at Kokoda which was organised by Soc.
First off the ranks was his daughter Suzanne and a trekker who flew off on the first plane.
DSCN0792__Small_.JPGAround 10:30 Soc and the remaining trekkers boarded two flights into Kokoda.
A hive of activity awaited them in Kokoda as can be seen in this photograph:
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IMG_0658__Small_.JPGLater that day they visited Saga Village where they were welcomed with open arms by locals who knew Soc from when he used to live in Kokoda along with a traditional dance welcome.
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IMG_0686__Small_.JPGThe church Soc had built was still standing which must have brought back memories for him.
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IMG_0693__Small_.JPGThe following morning Soc along with trekkers in our camp in Kokoda made their way up to the Kokoda Station for the dawn service being put on by him.
Soc raised his father Bert Kienzle's flat for the first time in 41 years.
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IMG_0702__Small_.JPGOn the track is also a young bag piper who took his bagpipes and played at the Anzac Day service. Later that day his father flew back to Port Moresby along with the bagpipes and his son walked the track with Soc Kienzle and other trekkers.
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IMG_0704__Small_.JPGGroup Photograph and other pics:
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IMG_0729__Small_.JPGThe service ended with some traditional dancers who walked into the station to honour the occasion.
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IMG_0731__Small_.JPGLater that morning while waiting at the airport for his daughter Suzanne and two other passengers to board their flight back to Port Moresby he was given a bilum at the airport terminal area which Kokoda Trekking renovated during 2008.
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IMG_0742__Small_.JPGOn the day of the 24th April Soc took trekkers down the river in rubber tyres. An elderly woman in her eighties who accompanied the group over to Kokoda also went down the river!
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IMG_0748__Small_.JPGMamba Plantation aerial photograph
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IMG_0753__Small_.JPGKokoda Station from the air.
IMG_0754__Small_.JPGUpdate 27th April: After leaving Kokoda Soc planned on spending the first night at Deniki. Although we have not heard from our guide Clement, we are assuming they will spend the night at Isurava.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Choko Fields around the Hoi area
Pic 2 & 3: Isurava Monument area
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IMG_0922__Small_.JPGUpdate 28th April: Have just heard from the track that everyone is ok and that they are heading towards Myola at the present time. Tomorrow they will reach the half way point of Efogi where they will spend the night.
Photographs:
Pic 1 & 2: Maps so you can follow their progress
Pic 3: Myola Junction aerial photograph
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