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It was our pleasure this year to drive out to pick up from the airport and drive out to Ower's Corner a group of volunteers from the Gunnedah Rotary Club.
This group was led by one of our guides Tony Evari who goes with them every year when they come to PNG for their various projects.
The Australian's are proudly led by Hans Allgayer who keeps coming back year after year. Hans also brings along with him a group of people who have various skills. From painters; builders; engineers; electricians and so much more.
The repair radios along the track; this year they painted the health centre building at Veselugo; free dentist in the Bona/Gona area; repair generators; do work at the Kokoda Hospital and so much more.
Tony our guide nearly drives me mad with radio messages leading up to their visit as he gets very excited when he knows they are coming to town. So excited this year that he went to meet Hans who had arrived a day or so earlier and then later went to the airport but forgot to inform us we had to pick up the porters from a house in Port Moresby.
Photograph: Trekkers on board our truck KTL2 about to head off to Ower's Corner from Bomana War Cemetery:
IMG_1154.jpgOn arrival at the airport, the trekkers had already started to arrive when Tony came over and said…oh no, I forgot to ask you to go and pick up the porters.
One of our buses made a dash to the house and by the time we arrived back all trekkers were out and ready to board our truck and two buses to take them to Bomana War Cemetery and then to Ower's Corner to commence their trek.
All trekkers brought with them their own food and carried their own packs. One fit bunch who if we didnt know otherwise, would have assumed they were army men and women.
Trekkers at Bomana War Cemetery prior to their trek:
IMG_1151.jpgI asked why they all dressed in army clothes and was informed they were advised to do so as Hans thinks they are the most comfortable to walk in. All trekkers were told it seems to fit themselves out in this attire.
So there you go folks…thinking of what to wear on the Kokoda Trail…take a tip from HANS and go buy some army clothes.
Another bonus…if you want to give your porter something he will remember you forever by….then think no further….your army trousers would end up their most treasured possession. Last January I bought Russell a pair in Australia…when the boys are around in Port Moresby they will ask him if they can wear them to look 'cool' ….. if he says yes…he has to make sure they remain 'his' when its time to head back home to Kokoda. Even Russell when it came time to head to the airport last week to fly back home…he wore his army trousers!
One young woman decided to pose for a photograph with some local children who were parked nearby:
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