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Today saw us catch up once again with Soc Kienzle as he led another trek out to Kokoda. Not long after they arrived in Kokoda they drove off for a look around and no doubt to the river Soc grew up next to for a refreshing dip. According to my son Shane at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat, they returned mid afternoon and spent a relaxing afternoon in their hut. Trekkers walking with Soc are made up as follows:
- Richard Hockley
- Vaughan Hockley
- Shaun McWilliam
- Doug McLean
- Scott McLean
- Troy McLean
- Brett McLean
- Daniel Morgan
The photograph below was taken approximately 10 minutes before they boarded our chartered flight to Kokoda which left around 8am.
IMGP0929.jpgWhen they heard that they could board, before you could blink they were at the plane and almost boarded when Soc and I caught up with them.
As a result, I climbed up the steps and took the following photograph of the group after they were already in their seats destined for Kokoda.
The weather was fine today and the flight got away right on time. When I last spoke to our base in Kokoda, it was pouring down!
At our camp tonight is another group of 10 trekkers who walked off the track today. No doubt they will pick their brains to see if the track is dry or wet before they head off tomorrow.
When talking to Kokoda mid morning I heard Shane remark….no you can't boil eggs today as we have lots of trekkers here. I asked if the chooks were still laying and Shane replied, yes, we get an average of 40 eggs per day but with 20 people for breakfast tomorrow morning x 2 eggs each, we will need everyone of them…haha
It therefore appears that all eggs laid are being bought by the locals as boiled eggs on a daily basis which is good news as initially I thought we would have a surplus of eggs and they would go to waste.
I have no idea what is on the menu tonight but have a feeling they could be eating chicken or pizza's.
IMGP0930.jpg5th October – Trek Update: Soc phoned up earlier today to say they were at Myola and would be spending the night at Bombers Camp.
Trekkers are ok and doing well. Apparently two of our guys have Malaria, Wallace Lemeki and Wayne Urina and have moved on to Efogi to rest and wait for the group who should arrive there tomorrow.
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IMG_0943__Small_.jpgTrekkers have now reached the half way point of Efogi. I heard from Wallace Lemeki today and he said he is feeling ok and Wayne was still resting.
Wallace confirmed their half way food was there waiting for them that he had checked it and all was ok.
Sometimes we have some bad spirits out there and some goes missing from time to time.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Trail from Naduri to Efogi
Pic 2: Efogi Guesthouse area
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Copy__2__of_Efogi_Guesthouse_area__Small_.jpg8th October, 2009: We heard from the track today as trekkers were heading down the track towards Ioribaiwa where they planned on spending the night. All of them continue to do well and according to Wallace and Harold they should be 6 day trekkers as they are in camp each day in record time.
Tomorrow they plan on pushing down to Goldie River where they will wash their gear before heading up to Owers' Corner early the next morning.
When we packed for this trek we were waiting on new ration packs to arrive from Australia and were short the last 10th day. We now have them on hand and were going to walk them in to Goldie but trekkers were joking today that bacon and eggs would go down well…haha
Will have to organise something for them re breakfast Saturday morning and will work on that tomorrow but rest assured they will not go hungry.
We check on the boys as well and seems they are on their last day of medication for their bout of Malaria and all was well on that front as well which is good news for us.
IMGP3962__Small_.JPG9th October: Trekkers have reached Goldie River where they will overnight/clean their gear in readiness of walking through the archway at Owers' Corner early tomorrow morning.
10th October: Trekkers arrived off the track as planned early this morning and were already back at their hotel before midday.
Our driver Cyprian went up to Owers' Corner last night and overnighted in readiness of their early arrival through the archway.
We caught up with the group at Bomana War Cemetery approximately 9:30am. All trekkers, Soc and porters were all smiles
Just as I was about to move off, I took the opportunity of a photograph with those who were interested and close by. A couple of our KTL porters, Soc and another trekker are not included in the pic below. Soc was already sitting in my prado and perhaps the other guy was still walking around the cemetery.
I had to rush so could not wait due to a possible medivac which never eventuated as the trekker started feeling better and wanted to continue.
IMGP0981.jpgOnce again Soc, thank you for choosing Kokoda Trekking as your sub contractor here in PNG.
On behalf of Russell and myself, we continue to have respect for the person you are in trying to train up our local guides in the knowledge of the war history.
This afternoon whilst you were no doubt relaxing at the Gateway Hotel some of the guys you have walked with commented on how much it meant to them having you teach them about the history.
On behalf of all of us here at Kokoda Trekking, a big THANK YOU and bye for now until we meet up with you come next April 2010 !
kind regards
Gail & the gang at Kokoda Trekking
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