Preparing For Kokoda – The Average Joe

[dan]

[39thdecendant]

[dan]

Good point Nettie.
We've trained Conwel Barai in basic First Aid (which of course does not include the administering of any medicines). I agree and I advocate that only the most basic of medicines be left there. Eg. pain killers, baby panadol etc, dressing, tape, iodine etc. If not with boxed instructions, then I always write instructions for them – which he follows faithfully.

I feel this mitigates the risk to an acceptable level – to at least a level lower than them not having anything at all – which is the norm for these people.
Thanks for contributing your expertise.

[Brian]

Hi

I agree fully just to not hand any prescribed medications that could be used incorrectly just to anyone at the end of our trek we did have some prescribed Medications that we unsure about giving away I collected them together and gave them to the sister in charge at the Kokoda Hospital.

We could not find Conwell so gave our basic medications to our guide to pass on.

Do not just bring them home or throw them out as they can certainly put to good use in Kokoda.

Brian

[Tegs]

Hi Dan,

I have been keeping up to date with this post for some time now and you should be congratulated for your efforts in preparing no doubt a huge number of people for this trek. I know I have taken lots of notes.

I would also like to thank you for making me aware of the great work that Gail and her team do for the PNG people although I'm not completely surprised, she seems very passionate. I will do what I can when I'm there next year.

I would love a copy of your DVD, hopefully you haven't been swamped but I will email you.

I was just wondering, do you have an opinion on getting visa's for PNG before travelling or just waiting until you get there?

Cheers,
Tegs

[Boss Meri]

Dan, once again thanks for your suggestions to future trekkers whether they be ours or people walking with another company (hopefully ours if they are on this forum).

Tegs, with regards to a visa, the majority of trekkers just obtain a tourist visa on arrival in PNG but it means you either have to join a long line…then change dollars into kina currency and back to the line….or

You obtain your visa in Australia or make sure you bring with you some PNG Kina. Perhaps someone can answer for Tegs the cost as I have a work permit and do not have to pay to come and go but will try and find out unless an ex trekker can beat me to the answer. It used to be around the K120 mark but it could have gone up or down as the Tourism Promotion Authority were trying to get the fee reduced at one stage or other.

There is an Australian lady leaving here next week to settle in Brisbane who is going to commence a business in doing this kind of work for tourists and business people coming to work in PNG and to holiday. She is very experienced and has been working here in PNG in the same line of work. I will dig out her details and will post later so stay tuned for further updates. Emily plans on doing the leg work in taking the passports into the PNG Consulate, picking them up and returning them to clients.

Yes, congratulations Dan, keep up the good work as trekkers are obviously appreciating it. BTW Conwel was in here last week and is still smiling away as always! Hasn't put on any weight though…haha – wish I knew his secret! – must be walking that track perhaps ?

Gail (Boss Meri)

[Brian]

Hi

I was advised to and did get my visa here in Brisbane before I left I was pleased that I did so as there were two long slow queues at Port Moresby when I arrived one for Visas the other to get through customs.

By having my visa ready I saved one of those slow queues I recommend that you obtain it here before leaving.

If I recall correctly it cost me $40 you will need your passport, flight information and PNG address when you apply for it.

Enjoy your trek hopefully with KTL.

Brian

PS: I used the hotel address when applying.

[Tegs]

Thanks Gail and Brian,

I am trekking with KTL and very excited about it. Thanks for the info, I will organise to get the visa's here before we go, sounds like the better way to go.

Thanks again
Tegan

[Boss Meri]

Have just heard from Emily as follows after I sent her an email and showed her this link. Emily leaves PNG to live in Brisbane this week so no doubt she will pass on to me more formal information after she settles into life in OZ, but for the moment, refer below for details. Emily has been working here in PNG for Manpower Management and we went through them for our work permits and passports for staff after we got frustrated trying to obtain on our own. Good news on that front also as some passports are now coming good, thanks to Emily's effort. So give her a go, she can be trusted to take care of your needs.

Hi Gail

Fantastic – my email is pngpathway@gmail.com or they can reach me on my Aussie mobile after Friday – 040 878 0025. I have all the forms etc so they can just email me for more info.

Thanks
Emily

[kishi2009]

[Fluppy]

QUOTE(dan @ 25 Oct 2008, 05:30 PM) [snapback]8711[/snapback]

Pronouncing Village Names and handy words/phrases:

• Poroman – My friend (male)
• Poromeri – My friend (female)
• Long long – Crazy!
• Lik Lik Mangi – Young boy
• Pek Pek – A No. 2.
• Apinum – Good afternoon
• Tenku – Thank you
• Tenku tru – Thank you very much
• Poro – Short neuter form meaning "friend"

How do you pronounce these ones? Also, what is Goodbye/Take care or is that the same? And um…what is 'I need to pee?'

Editors Note:

The above words are a mixture of 'Motu' and 'Pidgin English'.

• Man = man
• Meri = woman
• Lik Lik = anything small
• mangi – per above – young man. As porters are more often young men, they are often referred to as youngpela mangi's.
• Often the word 'pela' is tagged on to a lot of words. Onepela, Twopela, Threepela and so on which simply means, 1, 2, 3
• Poroman or Poromeri are motu words and are pronounced, POUR O MAN and/or MERI.
• Pek Pek is a normal No. 2 per above but Pek Pek Wari = diarrhea. With pidgin english a lot of words make sense and with diarrhea they think its like water hence the pigdin word Wari = water.
• Hospital is a 'Haus Sik' = house sick.
• Apinun is pronounced, API NOON
• pee is PISS PISS
• Goodbye = lookim you

Note from fluppy: Thank you

[mikmac1959]

QUOTE(mikmac1959 @ 27 May 2008, 08:34 PM) [snapback]6806[/snapback]

G'Day All

Recieved a copy of Dan's DVD . It is EXCELLENT and highly recommended to any one wishing to take this awesome trek. It shows how much he enjoyed it and what a wonderful job the KTL team do!!! I will definately be walking with them next time. Also contains a moving tribute at the Isurava Memorial. Well done Dan!!

I have sent a copy of my DVD to Dan for review, interested to see what he thinks!!

Would also like to send a copy to you Gail if you are interested to see if you think it is a good learning tool for prospective trekkers

cheers mike

Editor's Note: Mike would love to see it.

Kokoda Trekking
PO Box 7541
BOROKO. NCD
Papua New Guinea

Hi Gail
will post off acopy of my DVD and CD tomorrow. would be interested to see what you think of it. cheers mike

Editors Note:

tks Mike DVD received, many thanks. Notice you come from Grafton. I was born in Kyogle and married in Casino and lived there for quite a few years so you are almost my wantok as they say here in PNG! Enjoyed the DVD but you need some KTL music for the background to make it even better. Some village names are pronounced incorrectly but for the average Australian they probably would not know the difference. For example, Kovello is prounounced as follows – KO VELL 'O'. All in all gets the thumbs up from me. If you choose to trek with us next time, will give you a discount due to your contribution to our website. What year are you planning on walking again?

[Efrat Nakash]

Thank you all for your terrific tips. They are really helpful in preparing my upcoming trek.

I would suggest reconsidering the idea of bringing balloons for kids. They explode quickly, leaving litters which degrade very slowly (if at all). I would suggest small notebooks and crayons.

Cheers,

Efrat
Efrat Nakash Outdoor Photography

[Boss Meri]

Just noticed a posting from Moreton on another page about tents and thought I would copy paste part of it here as it makes a whole lot of sense:

Just remember the SEVEN P's folks. Prior Preparation & Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

[peterh13]

QUOTE(Efrat Nakash @ 21 Jul 2009, 06:25 AM) [snapback]9804[/snapback]

Thank you all for your terrific tips. They are really helpful in preparing my upcoming trek.

I would suggest reconsidering the idea of bringing balloons for kids. They explode quickly, leaving litters which degrade very slowly (if at all). I would suggest small notebooks and crayons.

Cheers,

Efrat
Efrat Nakash Outdoor Photography

I would suggest razor sharp knives,,check out this little guy with his implement of death. Happiest little bloke I ever met.

My wife Rhonda and sister in law, Anne were horrified when they saw this little guy with his big knife.
He smiled and said 'ello.

Editor's Note: This always shocks trekkers when they see small children walking around with knives but for the children of Kokoda and the track its like we teach our children to use computers, its how they learn the art of survival. They are also taught how to light fires at an early age and can often be seen with matches. Sling Shots are also quite common…sorry for bird lovers…but to them its protein and they are taught to hunt.
Peter_4.jpg

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