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This morning we said goodbye to our very FIRST trekkers to walk the BLACK CAT TRAIL with us.
List of Trekkers:
1. Pam Christie (Guide)
2. John Derrick Eroro (Assistant Guide)
3. Victor Justin (Pam's Personal Porter)
4. Jon Segaert
5. Dr. Jerry Schwartz
6, Lorraine Lawson
7. Larry LawsonTrekkers seen here at Jackson's Airport shortly before they boarded their chartered flight to Wau – left to right, Larry & Lorraine Lawson, John Derrick Eroro, Jerry Schwartz, Jon Segaert, Pam Chrisie & Victor Justin:
Group_Photo_800_size.jpgTrekkers will overnight in Wau tonight with Danielle (nee Harvey-Hal) and hubby Tim. Tomorrow morning they will be driven out to the start of the trail and will commence their trek down to Salamaua.
The first day is a long 12 hour walk which will be Tuesday 11th April. John our PNG guide will be looking out for where it can be possible to make a new rest area so that it opens up the trek to the not so fit trekkers by allowing a shorter day than at present.
The trekkers were flown to Wau for the only Japanese pilot in PNG, isnt this interesting. Trekkers are walking in honour of the 2/7th Infantry Division and who should be flying them to Wau but a Japanese pilot.
Japanese_Pilot.jpgANZAC DAY 2006 – Lest we Forget
This first trek is in honour of the 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion who fought in the Mubo/Wau/Ramu area during late 1942 / early 1943. Sometime later the 2/7th were transferred back to Australia and then to Aitape in the Sepik Province.
In particular my mother's late brother, Corporal Robert (Bobby) Norman McMillan – enlisted 15th April, 1942 – date of death – 10th March, 1945.
Just recently at his youngest sister's funeral, I caught up with the other surviving siblings. They said he must have known he would never see them again as the last time they saw him, he went around all 11 other brothers and sisters and said his goodbye's. He said it was very tough and that he doubted he would survive. Sometime later the telegram arrived informing his mother that he had passed away, shot by a sniper in Aitape. He is buried in the Lae War Cemetery.
Robert_500McMillan.jpgThe plan:
Trekkers will make their way to Skindiwai. They will continue walking until they reach the Francisco River where they will raft their way down to Salamaua.
On arrival at Salamaua they will be met by Karen Quinn and will overnight on her boat and enjoy a meal with free beer and wine. If they like they can arrange to go diving or snorkelling, swim in the ocean or just simply relax in a tranquil surrounding.
The next morning after breakfast they will make their way on this boat to Lae where they will be met by Guard Dog Security.
Guard Dog Security will drive them up to the Lae War Cemetery where they can walk around and pay their respects to the many diggers buried there. This will be followed by a drive around Lae and finally out to Nadzab for their flight back to Port Moresby.
Map of where the fighting took place in the Mubo area of the Black Cat Track:
BlackcattrailMap.jpgDay 1: Trekkers left Wau at 7am and had a 12 hour day before reaching their destination of Skindiwai where they spent the night.
As at 7am this morning, all trekkers were doing well. Next update 7am 13/04
Day 2: Thursday 13th April trekkers can expect another early start and a 12 hour day as they head for the next campsite.
Day 3: Friday 14th April they have a shorter day of around 6 hours before arriving in Salamaua later that afternoon.
I spoke to Victor last night and John this morning. All trekkers, guides and porters are going really well. A few slight injuries but nothing to worry about.
Jon Segaert apparently is still pumped and says he is coming back again next year with some of his other friends.
I asked John how it compared to the Kokoda Trail/Track and he replied he will give me a full report on his return.
He said the villagers are welcoming them with open arms and really pleased to see tourists for the first time in their lives accompanied by professional guides.
Later this afternoon they will arrive in Salamaua where they will be greeted by Karen Quinn. They will spend the night aboard her boat, swim in the ocean or just simply relax.
John will give me another update later this afternoon providing our satellite phone can get a signal out.
Profile on Dr Jerry Schwartz
Dr. Jerry Schwartz graduated from the University of Sydney in January 1979, as the first of the new five year course with two surgical prizes.
He then trained extensively in the public hospital system in Australia, and the U.K. firstly in emergency medicine, surgery (including cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, plastic surgery and burns), ophthalmology (including laser eye surgery), oculoplastic surgery, cosmetic and finally in laser surgery. He trained in cosmetic and laser surgery under the "masters" in these fields, including Giorgio Fischer in Rome, Pierre Fournier in Paris, and Gregor dala Cruz from Sweden.
He has postgraduate degrees in ophthalmology, and holds certification in various cosmetic and laser surgery societies; including holding a fellowship with the Australasian college of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeon, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the International Society of Cosmetic Laser Surgeons and the Asia Pacific Society of Cosmetic Surgeons.
Dr. Schwartz has had training and still practices in a variety of allied medical fields. He is Medical Director of the Matraville Medical Complex and associated South Eastern Sydney Day Surgery Centre. In 2000 he obtained a Masters in Family Medicine from Monash University. He has special interests in Travel Medicine, and Workers Compensation.
He practices in the Eastern Sydney suburb of Matraville.
Dr. Schwartz has volunteered his services in several ways. He spent some time performing oculoplastic surgery in Mongolia and in India for S.E.E; in East Timor establishing clinics in the countryside; on cruiseships as "ship's doctor", on bicycle trips as "ride doctor"; and in both the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Paralympic Games and the recent Commonwealth Games.
The request I got from Jerry before he took off to Wau was to try and get him some surgical gloves. I raced off and got some for him – just wondering if he had any energy left at the end of the day to see patients in the villages he slept in.
Photograph: Dr Jerry SCHWARTZ – Medical Director – Matraville Medical Complex which he established. For more details, PLEASE CLICK HERE:
jerry.jpgAll trekkers have returned back home to Australia after being the first ever trekkers to walk as a tour group on the BLACK CAT TRAIL.
Villagers loved them…..the locals got employment….the trekkers had a great time and John Derrick Eroro says he was thrilled to be the first PNG guide to walk with trekkers on this war track.
He is looking forward to growing this area of PNG as he says he has walked with many many fit trekkers and feels they too could walk this track. He agrees with Pam however, and says each trek should be limited to no more than 10 each time due to the condition of the track.
John said that unlike the Kokoda Trail where the track has been widened over time since he first started walking, this track is still in its original state as it would have been used during World War II. He added that in some cases the track is quite narrow and only just enough room to put your feet.
Celebration time at SALAMAUA:
Cheers___we_made_it.jpg
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