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Hi everyone, today I flew over to Kokoda on a chartered aircraft and the pilot was kind enough to allow me some time to look around before flying back to Port Moresby. It was the first time I had been to Kokoda for over twelve months and I made the most of it as I clicked away with my camera.
You may wonder why it has taken me so long, well the answer is you our trekkers. Whilst trekkers are on the track its imperative I remain in Port Moresby to attend to medivacs; operations; administration duties; meeting and greeting trekkers and so on.
At the end of each trekking season I have headed off to spend some time with my family in Australia returning this year in mid April.
So today I was pleasantly surprised to see that what was bare dirt is now covered in grass and that the buildings have survived and other changes have been made according to my wishes. However, here in PNG nothing moves very quickly and Kokoda is no exception. If I were to spend some weeks there I am sure I could make several changes in a very short time but finding the time is always my problem.
Below are some photographs I took today to help promote Orohaven Kokoda Retreat. As time goes by, this block will be developed even further, but one has to crawl before one can run, so patience is the key at the moment. Today I thought of many things that could be done to improve the facility and will try and work on them one by one until my ideas have been realised.
On my arrival our Manager of operations in Kokoda, Wallace Lemeki was pleasantly surprised to see me inside the aircraft as he had no idea I was coming over.
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Tropic_Air.jpgI found the area had been mowed and the guesthouses were clean and tidy along with the kitchen and other areas upon my unexpected arrival.
Last night the CEO of the Kokoda Track Authority, Rod Hillman had spent the night at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat and the staff informed me he had enjoyed his stay. To them he was like a VIP guest and they welcomed his presence.
I will now post some photographs I took today to share with you.
Editors Note: Email received from Rod Hillman as follows:
Gail, A quick note to compliment both Wallace and Maryanne at Oro Haven. I stayed there last week for a night (my daughter woke that morning with Measles!) by myself. Both provided excellent service and were a pleasure to talk to. Well done.
Cheers
Rod Hillman
Chief Executive
Kokoda Track Authority
PO Box 545, Boroko NCD 111
PAPUA NEW GUINEAEmail: rhillman@online.net.pg
Tel; + (675) 323 6178 (Direct)
Tel; + (675) 323 6165 (Switch)
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Orohaven_4.jpgMore photographs following. You will also note the flushing toilet in the background which I think is a huge plus as pit toilets have their place but are really not for me. Sorry but I must be spoilt as to have a clean sit on toilet to use was a real bonus!
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Orohaven_Guesthouse_Toilet.jpgInside a couple of guesthouses. I had a laugh today however, when I noticed a mirror I had sent over was actually mounted as a bedhead. When I asked why, they answered they thought that was where I must have wanted it to be put…oh well, they were soon informed to take it down and to place it on a separate wall. What were they thinking?
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Orohaven_Guesthouse_Change_Room.jpgThe chicken shed has been completed and now houses over 1200 chickens from baby day old chicks to those ready for sale. In the beginning we started sending over chickens to use as protein for our trekkers but soon found out that the people of Kokoda wanted to purchase them.
So our 150 every three weeks has now turned into 200 per week, every week heading off to Kokoda. No doubt as Xmas approaches this number will be increased.
I found that various pens had been established to cater for the different ages of the chickens and this project appears to be working quite well.
Our thanks to the Sanananda boys for cutting and sewing up all the sago leaves to be used for the roof. Also for the new leaves they have put on to the existing guesthouses as many hours of labour has gone into doing this.
For three weeks the people looking after Orohaven have been feeding 58 boys whilst this work was in progress. As Kokoda is in a remote area and the bridge across the Kumusi River was washed away, the supply of sago leaves has been really hard to come by.
First they had to cut it in Sanananda. We then had to hire a big truck to cart it to the Kumusi River. Then hire someone to swim it across the river. Another truck had to be hired from the other side of the Kumusi Bridge to Kokoda. In the process of crossing the river, 15 bundles of sago leaves got washed away…all this before these guys could begin sewing it up at Orohaven!
The bonus for these 58 boys was to obtain jobs instead of our Kokoda staff and walk the track. This week when our next trek heads out on the 4th August will see the final group of boys take to the trek. Some boys have walked for their very first time so a bit of a WOW factor for them.
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Chicken_Shed_2.jpgI was surprised to see the layer chickens almost fully grown and hopefully they should start laying eggs towards mid to end of September, yeah takes a long time!
As for the ducks, our little ducklings are now big fat DUCKS!!! I could not believe how fat some of them are. I asked why a few were out of the pen and some locked inside and got the remark that some fly over off a morning and fly back in of an afternoon. I have heard of hens going home to roost but ducks, well have never heard that saying before.
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Ducks_2.jpgI asked for some corn to be grown to feed to the layer chickens and on my arrival I saw that they had carried out my instructions and that yes, CORN IS GROWING at Orohaven!
Corn.jpgMy visit went all too quickly and before long I was on the aircraft and flying back to Port Moresby. On the way I asked which village we were passing over to which I got the reply Haila Village. I quickly turned on my camera and took a photograph as this is where one of our short treks will walk through. The second village is Ubuari which is also shown below:
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Ubuari.jpgAfter my visit today I found out they were in desperate need of a larger freezer and their wish list was a 'real' stove with an oven to cook bread. Up until now they have been cooking this in our Pizza oven at Orohaven but I guess its hard work compared to just putting something in the oven and turning it on.
If you have read this far, thanks again for following the progress of Orohaven Kokoda Retreat.
Update 30th July: Today I purchased the following to make life easier for our staff in Kokoda:
- 700 ltr freezer
- Microwave
- Gas Stove
- Self Raising Flour; Vanilla Essence etc to make cakes. When I spoke to staff the other day they informed me one trekker from Kokoda Spirit had them bake a birthday cake, but how can they do this without ingredients? Help is on its way….including a real OVEN to cook it in. The problem with the Pizza oven is keeping the heat constant long enough to cook a cake.
I also got lucky with how I was to get it all to Kokoda as when I popped into Tropic Air I was advised that Frank Taylor had three charters going over empty from here. A quick phone call ended up in us sharing three charters as he was picking up from the other side. With a trek off the track today and some 20+ porters to return home to Kokoda along with the cargo and chicken feed, it was a good ending to a long day! If you are ever reading this, thanks Frank.
What can I say but WOW! WOW! and WOW again! This was a great read and I thouroughly enjoyed the update. Thanks for taking the time to post not only the update, but the photos as well.
fluppy
Good on you Gail and also your team of boys for another great job undertaken.
Looking foward to experiencing Orohaven again next year on my hopeful return there together with this time my 8 year old grandson to do a short trek.
Keep up the great work do say Good day to Wallace and Brendan for me
BrianGail, your efforts have been fantastic, only better things can come from your work for all concerned congrats. regards moreton
Our group of 8 stayed at Orohaven over night and found it to be just great.
Its a great way to get into the swing of things before heading off into the bush.
Good work Gail.
Peter.Sorry, no new photographs as with Kingsley Eroro's death in the plane crash, it was not the time and place to have my camera out clicking away.
However, my visit this week showed me areas where we needed to improve which was well worth the trip and the few days I spent there.
One of the things that was put to me by our staff was the hardship attached to purchasing clothes in Kokoda. It was suggested we sell second hand clothes as it was badly needed by the Kokoda people to avoid them having to travel to Popondetta or Port Moresby at more expense.
So today another venture has commenced when I went and purchased 45kg bags of second hand A grade clothes. Originally from Australia, it is hoped when opened that they provide good quality affordable clothes to satisfy the local people of Kokoda. One bag contained army clothes (always on our boys WISH LIST); one bag of mixed family items; one bag of jeans and another bag of workwear as this is what a lot of boys love to wear.
Do not ask me yet where I am going to get them to set it all up but I am sure we will think of something!
Ducks: I did a stupid thing and collected the duck eggs being so excited to see they had started to lay. When I was talking to my father last night (a retired dairy farmer) he told me I did the wrong thing and that I should have left them there so the duck could sit on them. Oh well, you live and learn as they say.
Layer Chickens: My father also informed me with so many layer chickens that we should end up with heaps of eggs (well that was the plan) so what to do with these impending eggs due to be laid come the mid-end of September. Today I decided to purchase two incubators and instead of selling hard boiled eggs that we would hatch the eggs and sell as day old chicks to locals.
It seems lots of people have shown interest that they too would like some layer hens. To purchase the original chics some months back cost around K20 per chic. To sell the boiled eggs would earn K1.00 each so I thought why not breed and sell them as day old chics. So a win win situation for everyone!
Up until now they have only been able to purchase meat chickens so this too will be a first for Kokoda.
Buildings: Dickson our plumber/come carpenter is now back in Kokoda and has today commenced bulding the tradestore area and the new facilities similar to what was previously built at the airport terminal building. In time we hope to provide even better rest houses and make it look really tropical and pretty as this time round its on our land and we can do what we like with the final outcome look really nice and welcoming and hopefully a wonderful atmosphere for trekkers and locals alike.
Some of the people approached me to sell KT26's; trekking boots; head torches and basically anything to do with the bush and trekking in general. As they say Rome was not built in a day so one step at a time but in the long run we will get there. In time we hope the people of Kokoda will benefit along with you the trekkers.
Someone posted on the website tonight asking if other trekkers from other companies are welcome at Orohaven. YES, 100% as this is the very reason we picked a generic name to encourage this. The more trekkers who pay a visit; spend money; stay the night; the more people we can hire = the more employment for Kokoda – especially it is hoped the women so they too can earn from the trekking industry. At the present time we have two women and 7 men working at Orohaven. Some look after the chickens; the women clean the guesthouses and run the kitchen; Wallace looks after the trekking and two are security – one for the night and one for the day! Brendan Buka the trek champion has just commenced as the gardener.
So if you pop into Orohaven while passing through, please say hi to Brendan and get a photograph with him to make his day!
Think you have hit on a winner with the 2nd hand clothes, we had a big business with that in Goroka, they used to call it Pat's Boutique and not only the natives shopped there.. suit coats were the big hit with the old boys, what a sight, nothing on but arse grass, bone through the nose, bilas on the head and a 'Boss' stripped suitcoat. Wool to work their bilums and the small beads for their bilas were good too.
Will try and find a photo to send you. Your story about rabbit's at Orohaven reminded me of a story in Lae. One of the bigwigs of New Guinea Company imported some frozen rabbits from Australia for a dinner party he was having, he instructed the haus boi how to cook 'pusscat bilong bush' for kai that night, and when they got home from the Lae club, 3 parts shot, the rabbit and all the trimmings were laid out on the table. After kai, he went out to congratulate the haus cook on a great meal and get a beer out of the fridge, the rabbit was still in there.. but the cat was missing. That story has been doing the rounds up there forever, but i know it's true because Mum & Dad were the dinner party.. and Mum has never eaten rabbit since.
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