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At 7am 16th May we drove out of the Gateway Hotel carpark to head towards Bomana War Cemetery having met the group the night before at their pre trek briefing. They all appeared to be very excited! Trekkers include :
Graeme Caporn; Phillip Carey; Ross Schultz; David Heaton (all mates) along with Sue Griffiths; Michelle Anthony. Neither Sue or Michelle knew each other or the group of 4 travelling together.
DSCN0095__Small_.JPGWe stayed at Bomana for approximately an hour before moving off towards Sogeri
Photographs:
1. Bomana War Cemetery
2. Introducing Clive Jinga their guide
3. Just what are they pointing at
4. Group Pic
5. Bomana War Cemetery
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DSCN0102__Small_.JPGIf you have ever wondered how they keep the grounds so green when Port Moresby is generally pretty dry, well take a look below:
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DSCN0104__Small_.JPGIntroducing their porters who patiently waited and joked around as their trekkers walked around the cemetery.
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DSCN0107__Small_.JPGOn the way to Sogeri we stopped off at Rouna lookout so they could stretch their legs, take some photographs etc
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DSCN0114__Small_.JPGBefore too long it was time hit the road again towards our final destination of Owers' Corner.
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DSCN0117__Small_.JPGWe stopped briefly at Sogeri Monument area where our trekkers took the opportunity for a group pic.
DSCN0118__Small_.JPGSoon we were off the bitumen and onto the red clay soil of Sogeri. As we drove along the trekkers appeared to be enjoying the slipping and sliding through mud patches along the way.
However, we were able to push through the mud and to drive right down to the monument area where trekkers were soon getting their gear ready for their adventure of a lifetime.
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DSCN0124__Small_.JPGIt was soon time to meet their personal porters.
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DSCN0131__Small_.JPGA few more adjustments to the porters packs along with a few words and a group photograph and they would soon be off….
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DSCN0126__Small_.JPGWe said our goodbye's and wished them well as they headed down towards Goldie River. The guy in the lead is Glen Henson their assistant guide. His instructions, watch where I put my feet, do what I do and you will be ok.
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DSCN0135__Small_.JPGWell listen they must have because last night I heard from our guide that they had reached their day 1 destination of Ua'Ule Creek (refer pics below) and that all trekkers did ok and that he was confident they were enough to finish their trek.
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IMGP2046__Small_.JPGMaps of the track so you can follow their progress:
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map_kokoda_500__Small___Small_.jpgUpdate 18th May: Trekkers have now reached Menari and will walk on to Efogi today. All are still doing fine and enjoying their trek when I spoke to Clive yesterday.
Still lots of mud it seems. A couple of them mentioned before heading out that they hoped it did not rain too much – well we will just have to wait and see.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Menari guesthouse dining room area
Pic 2: area around Menari
Pic 3: WWII Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels
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IMGP4007__Small_.JPGMenari Guesthouse Area:
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