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Firstly who are we, what do we represent? We at Kokoda Trekking (KTL) predominately offer PNG led treks ie local PNG guided treks. Our head office is in Port Moresby but we also have an office on the Gold Coast and our second home is Kokoda where we have a base ideally located at Kokoda airport. We have on our books hundreds of casual staff from in and around the Kokoda district all the way down the coast to Gona, Buna and surrounding areas.
However, we are often asked if we have an historical guide, one who knows the history, more often than not, this comes with a price tag for an expatriate Australian led trek. Our own KTL local staff are fast catching up and not long we will have some top historical staff as they are listening and learning from the local people and also absorbing all they can from the likes of Soc Kienzle who has kindly offered his services to teach them as they walk along with him. Quite a few are reading everything they can get their hands on and their confidence is growing by each trek they do. We also give out Bill James book on Kokoda which further enhances your own knowledge of the history behind WWII and the Kokoda Trail.
Soc Kienzle feels at home with our KTL boys as he grew up in Kokoda and admits there is not too many years left in his legs to keep walking the trail that he loves so much, so wants to leave behind him an army of Kokoda boys who know the history as well as he does. Therefore he has offered to teach our boys anything he possibly can as they walk along with him on his treks so that in time they can take over from him and pass the history on to you our trekkers. Or in Soc's words, he wants the truth out there before bullshit becomes fact! In fact this is why he has taken out his boots and commenced walking the track again.
We already have several KTL staff who have started reading anything they can get their hands on. If you have any second hand books to pass on to our staff, please contact me as we have so many who keep asking me thats it hard to keep up the supply. Here in PNG there are no libraries they can borrow from so demand is always high especially for the younger ones with ambitions of becoming guides.
In 2009 we have on offer 11 various Anzac treks for your to choose from. Only one of them will have Soc Kienzle as the historian. Its trek number 500 commencing on the 24th April by flying into Kokoda where you will overnight as our guests and the following morning will attend a service put on by Soc Kienzle at the Kokoda Station. Later on the 25th April you will commence your Kokoda trek.
We also have on offer that if you do not want to walk the track you can fly in with the trekkers on the 24th April 2009 to attend the dawn service in Kokoda. You then have the choice to either fly out on the 25th or 26th April as we have flights coming and going on both those dates.
Soc has also suggested that some might like to attend the service and then walk up to Isurava Monument Area where he can explain what happened there during the war. You can then turn around and walk back down with our Kokoda Trekking staff back to our base in Kokoda and fly out from there. If you would like to do this, it would mean flying in on the 24th April. Attend the service on the 25th and arrive at Isurava Monument on the 26th April. You would then return to Kokoda on the 27th and could fly out on the 28th April.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Soc Kienzle and his trekkers at the monument area, Kokoda Station 25th April, 2008. It was the 1st Anzac Day service in 25 years!
Pic 2: Our Kokoda Trekking (KTL) staff who are walking along with Soc and his trekkers
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IMG_0704__Small_.JPGYOUR KOKODA TRAIL HISTORIAN WALLACE "SOC" KIENZLE:
Soc Kienzle is the youngest son of Captain Bert Kienzle the man who has been given accolades like "Architect of the Kokoda Trail" and "King of the Angels".
Bert's contribution to the Kokoda Trail Campaign is well documented but what many don't realize is that he was at Kokoda for 8 years before the War, throughout the War, and for 35 years afterwards. He was literally fighting for his home which he saw from a distance go up in smoke when the Japanese occupied, trashed and burned it. After the end of World War II , he stayed on in Kokoda to rebuild and expand his Rubber & Cocoa plantations while significantly contributing to the development of Papua New Guinea, the Nation.
Soc Kienzle was born in Port Moresby Hospital in 1950. He grew up, lived and worked at Kokoda until 1983. He spoke Motu ( the true language of the Papuan people – not Pidgin) and Koiari before he spoke English. The greatest compliment that was paid to Soc on a recent visit to Kokoda was when a PNG National said …..
"…….if you were on the other side of a wall speaking Motu I would think you were a Papuan".
home.jpgAs a child, Soc explored the jungle with the "fuzzy wuzzies" and their families, searching for war relics on the battle sites his father would describe. Much of what is in the Kokoda Museum was found by him, including the Japanese Mountain Gun now located next to the Japanese memorial on the Kokoda plateau.
At the age of 13, Soc set the record for a non-national "man" when he crossed the Trail, from MacDonald's Corner to Kokoda in 30 hours including 6 hours sleep at Kagi. Over the ensuing years he traversed different parts of the track helping drove the first cattle to native blocks and on aircraft search and rescue missions. He knows the true war Trail, much of which is no longer being used, better than anyone.
Soc's love of Kokoda did not begin with reading a book although he has read every one that has been written about the Campaign! His passion for Kokoda and its people is in his blood and his desire to maintain the integrity of the Trail is borne for this reason and out of deep respect for his father, the Papuans and the diggers.
Traversing the Trail with Soc entertaining you with stories of the war, and many other tales only he can tell, is an experience you will never forget and one which cannot be matched.
His rapport with the nationals as he talks and jokes with them in Motu will fascinate and amaze you and give you an insight into the local people, their humour and their culture that again, cannot be matched.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Kokoda War Museum
Pic 2: Bert Kienzle, Soc's father
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IMG_0729__Small_.JPGSoc has many treks already listed for 2007 which can be found by searching through our schedule area of our website to find the dates of his treks.
As for our PNG led treks, we have several treks throughout 2008, at least one a week so plenty to choose from. If you cannot find a date that is suitable to your needs, please contact us for a custom made trek as we are based here in PNG anything is possible.
CLICK HERE to view our Schedule:
CLICK HERE to book the trek of your choice:
CLICK HERE to pay your deposit or your final payment:
I heard a comment that we at Kokoda Trekking could be compared to a sausage factory as we churn out so many treks each year. We consider this a compliment as yes, we are KOKODA SPECIALISTS and our KTL boys are highly regarded in the trekking industry.
We do not run treks all over PNG and only concentrate on KOKODA. When you choose to trek with Kokoda Trekking you can be assured we will give you the best service we possibly can at all times. Here in Port Moresby, out on the track or in Kokoda.
Each year we have tried to put something back. No other company lifts a hand to help clean the Kokoda airport, cut the grass etc, its all Kokoda Trekking! We have renovated the Kokoda airport and hopefully made it a welcoming sight to all trekking companies as their clients land in Kokoda. There is now a toilet at the airport for our trekkers to use and a shower as well along with a tap to wash your hands and somewhere to sit and wait for your aircraft. If other companies wish to use our facilities, they can approach me to purchase a key as their contribution to the maintenance and up keep of the airport along with the amenities offered.
Photographs: Kokoda Airport:
It was nice to see Soc Kienzle sitting under one of our traditional win haus's with a newly acquired bilum given to him on the 25th April.
The last photograph is how the old terminal building looked before our renovation exercise.
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Copy_of_Day_9_Kokoda_airport_terminal__Small_.jpgAlso under construction is the beginning of a resort which in time will accommodate hundreds of trekkers at any given time. At the present time we have five traditional win haus's which can sleep up to 15 trekkers in each win haus. Each win haus contains a change room; hammock; chairs; light and in the coming months an 'outdoor shower'.
It is conveniently situated at the airport so only a few minutes to walk to catch your flight. If you are walking from the Kokoda end why not relax and spend a day in Kokoda before commencing your trek.
Accomodation is not only offered to our clients but to any other trekking company who wishes to overnight there. What better way to wait for your aircraft to arrive to pick you up?
If you wish to enquire for accommodation, please contact me: gail@pngbd.com
All Kokoda Trekking clients are accommodated as part of your trek costs.
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DSCN0660__Small_.JPGSo there you go, we now have the KOMPLETE KOKODA package on offer to our clients. Choose from an Australian led trek or a PNG locally guided trek.
- Experienced local guides who just love their jobs of walking with you our clients on the Kokoda Trail.
- Experienced Australian/Kokoda historian led treks with Soc Kienzle
- The services of myself who have lived and worked here in PNG since 1972. I am also the holder of a current work permit allowing me to work in PNG.
- My son Nathan in Australia which you can contact who was born in PNG and who has lived here most of his life
- Russell Eroro my business partner and operations manager who has walked for the majority of trekking companies in excess of 12 years + with more treks to his credit then you would care to count.
- The best accommodation in Kokoda on offer
- Even in the wet we get you as close as possible to Owers' Corner due to owning several four wheel drive vehicles
- What we consider to be the best food on the Kokoda Trail – definitely no-one starves on our treks.
- Take a look around and you can see we donate so much to the community not just in Kokoda but all the way from Kokoda to Owers' Corner. Rubbish Bins; tarpaulins; mattresses; pillows; ambulance in Kokoda; airport terminal and airport amenities; water containers; medicine for the Kokoda Hospital; lawnmower and supplies for the Kokoda School; cooking pots for guesthouses and so much more. Late last year we delivered by air over 5 ton of rice/clothes and cooking equipment to the people of the Oro Province affected by Cyclone Guba on chartered aircraft.
- The major sponsor of this year's Kokoda Challenge on the Gold Coast. Our chance to help young trekkers to walk the track
- Sponsorship of some of our staff to travel overseas. In 2007 15 of our staff travelled to Australia for personal development so that they learn more about the needs of our trekkers and how they can further enhance your Kokoda experience by improving their self confidence.
- As we operate out of PNG your money goes towards running our offices; motor vehicles; track radios; sat phones; donations; employment of administration staff, drivers etc. Our radio's and offices are manned throughout the day & night so any problems on the track are handled efficiently and quickly such as a medevac.
- Our KTL boys have lived all their lives along the rivers and creeks of Kokoda so are very experienced when it comes to river crossings or anything to do with water. Most of our boys have to cross over rivers every day of their lives just to get to survive on a daily basis.
- Local knowledge both on and off the track. We do not just fly in and fly out, we live here on a day to day basis.
- Kokoda Trekking are renowned as providing the best entertainment along the track. They walk, sing and play the uke'ule as you move along the track. You would be amazed how the pain of walking is gone when you hear someone ahead of you playing the uke'ule.
- Our Kokoda Trekking staff will do anything and everything to try and get you over the finish line. When one of our clients is air lifted off the track they look at it like a failure as their heart is in having you walk off the track.
- We are the biggest local operator and since we commenced operation, we have consistently taken more trekkers on the track than any other trekking company.
Why look elsewhere, trek with the Kokoda Specialists. With Soc Kienzle in our team we now have the KOMPLETE KOKODA PACKAGE! Trek with us, you will not be disappointed.
Even though you may come to PNG with a desire for the history of the track and personal development. We guarantee that by the time you finish your trek you will really know how valuable the fuzzy wuzzy angels were to our diggers. They are now here to help you on the track – trek with your very own fuzzy wuzzy angel, the guys from Kokoda Trekking (KTL)….
- Enjoy a traditional welcome and learn about their culture
- Spend some time getting to know the local families and their children
- Thoroughly enjoy your trek – sure you will have the pain but also the pleasure as our trekkers talk like its a great holiday and adventure out on the track
- The excitement of heading out for your trek
- Everyone hates the last climb up the hill at Owers' Corner, but oh the feeling once you walk through the archway
- Yes, we did it … the guys in the back of the truck – yes its achievable by almost everyone providing you train and take your trek seriously and prepare in advance for walking the track
- You start as strangers but come back in as friends – group pic at Owers' Corner
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DSCN0811__Small_.JPGSome of our experienced guides:
- Wallace Lemeki – this year he led one of the biggest of our Anzac treks and was personally selected by an ex trekker from an Anzac 2007 trek. Wallace takes his job very seriously and is always eager to learn. He works for us permanently and is one of our valued employees. Where Wallace lives he has to walk 25 minutes just to wash and fetch water – not just him the whole village. We have just purchased a 2000 gallon tank for him and have asked that he share the water with others living in the village. It has just been delivered to Kokoda today 29th April. His family are very proud of him and so are we. In January 2008 Wallace was invited down to the Lord Somers camp in Victoria for the second year in a row.
- Tony Ogomeni (on Right) – handing out a certificate of completion at the end of his trek to one of his trekkrs. Tony has proved very popular with our clients and some return trekkers have requested him again. He has an easy going personality with good communication skills.
Some more of our guides:
- Rod (Rocket) Ori – resides in Kovelo the first village on the track from Kokoda to Owers' Corner. A father of 5 young children so a real family man. Has a lot of respect from porters and trekkers alike. Is currently on the track with 15 trekkers heading towards Owers' Corner. Has also been invited two years in a row to the Lord Somers Camp in Victoria. Rod has built a guest house in his village to try and obtain some extra money to help him support his growing family. He has also been rewarded with a water tank for his services to KTL. Excellent communication skills. Highly recommended by ex trekkers.
- The photograph underneath's Rod's is one of David Clark Embo. David hails from a village out Saga (Kokoda area) whereby he has to cross over several rivers before reaching his home. I believe it is quite nice but have yet to visit this area due to its location. If you look through our schedules you will often see David requested as the guide. This is because his reputation is spreading and trekkers go back home and recommend to their friends to join one of his treks. He is also the brother of Sister Margaret the lady in charge of the Kokoda Hospital. They are just so proud of him. Before he became a KTL guide, David was a school teacher. With his education background he finds it quite easy to read books given to him and to digest their contents. He also has a lot of self confidence and good communication skills.
Introducing Ernst Jinga: Ernst is one of the longest walkers on the track who has walked many years. He is quiet as well respected and very strong. I can recall a conversation from a trekker who has a photograph of him with five people hanging off him as he walked across Goldie River without a care in the world. He is a happy go lucky kind of guy who really enjoys his treks. We always put a talkative guy with Ernst so he can control the trek and we let his assistant guide do the talking. We have never had any complaints and trekkers seem to enjoy walking with him and his team of KTL boys.
IMG_1376__Small_.jpgJohn Derick Eroro – one of the longest walkers on the track. John has over 20 years experience and some 400 + treks to his credit. John more often than not leads large groups of trekkers on the track due to his extensive experience. John is from Kokoda and is the brother of my business partner Russell Eroro. He is a family man with 5 children. John through his years of walking has earnt the respect of being the master of the track and our KTL boys look up to him as a leader.
John has worked for just about all the trekking companies working the track at some stage of his career. However, he has mainly worked with Clive Baker (Australia War Graves) historian. Clive has written a book on Kokoda in which he recommends KTL as his preferred Kokoda Track operator. This is due to the respect Clive has for both John and Russell during his years of walking the track together.
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