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On Saturday night I finally met up with Coralie Hunter & Geoff Rodgers who I have emailed back and forth quite often. Mostly made up of nurses from Sydney, it includes Raymond and Robert who have been here waiting for a couple of days + three army guys.
This trek got away around 10ish and were invited to look around the township of Kokoda and overnight at my sub-contractors residential area -ie his family block.
They would have been welcomed with a sing sing (traditional dancing) in Kokoda and no doubt ended up in the creek for a swim.
Trekkers included: Coralie Hunter; Sarah Guyder; Robert Gower; Juliet Clarke; Tracy Blowfield; Pauline Swan; Amanda Howe; Raymond Thompson; Robert Tiggemann; Andrew Zeitzen; Geoff Rodgers & Andrew Gehrig.
DSC05126.jpgUpdate 5th September: We have just heard around 5pm today that the group have made it safely up to Isurava where they will spend the night. All trekkers are doing just great:
As there was fog in Kokoda yesterday the first flight was delayed so I decided to take this group of trekkers for a spin around the sites of Port Moresby…..all aboard says Coralie:
DSC05127.jpgSmiles all round:
DSC05129.jpgView from the back of KTL 2:
DSC05128.jpgThe gang from Sydney shortly before they boarded their flight to Kokoda which takes around 25 minutes and 8 days for them to walk back:
DSC05124.jpgUpdate 6th September, 2005;
Trek 101
The group left Isurava village early hours this morning, which now see them up at the Battlefield. All trekkers are ok and doing fine, they are all very much looking forward to the walk and can?t wait to reach their next campsite.At this time, trekkers are taking time reading all the history stuff that are on the monuments and taking pictures of the memorial site.
Although, they had a few showers during the night, this morning the sky was clear and the sun was up and looking radiant. Definitely shows they will have a good day.
Messages from trekkers;
Sarah
Hi all, all is well and loving it.Tracy
Easy, easy, easy???..Coralie
We climbed 3 hills already, but still can?t find a beer.Robert Tiggemann
Hi all, really tough especially going up the hills, but Ray and I are managing to stay alive hahahaha?.Keeping up in front of the group so I?m happy with that.Juliet
Hi mom and dad, still alive going well and having an amazing time.Amanda
Hi mom & dad and the rest of the gang. I?m going well, it?s amazing and having a great time.Raymond Thompson
Hi everyone, having a great time, it?s very tough and difficult, but I?m going ok and doing fine.Pauline
Hi everyone, first day's been very tough, but second day's been really good, only it rained but it's ok.The Isurava Battlefield
Picture_053.jpgLatest Update on this trek:
As of 3:40 am (PNG Time) (almost 20 minutes ago) – the group guide radioed base here in Port Moresby and reported that they have finally reached Eora Creek – where they will set up their tents and camp for the night.
And speaking of which the guys probably have their tents up already. It is pretty cold up here – I remember from my last trip I couldn't even get a wash at the creek as the water seemed like ice once i put my feet in it.
Anyway all seems well as our guide reported: "All trekkers orait, weather orait, track orait, all porters too orait and everything else is all right."
The group is walking towards Ower's Corner and tomorrow should see them heading passed Templeston Crossing and up towards Bellamy and finally the Myola campsite.
They are also likely to come across Trek 85 members who will be making their way towards Eora Creek.
Message from Deb to Robert:
QUOTERobert, all is well here, had huge garage sale, so much room now in your workshop, ha ha
Ray, have you had to use the spade yet? By the way your car has changed shape, not too much damage its just difficult to open the driver door, only joking.
Hope you are having a good time. Love DebUpdate 7th September, 2005;
Trek 101
The group was at the top of Mt Bellamy when their guide Johnsford called us here on the base-radio in Port Moresby to give the latest report of their progress.He said, although it was a long hard walk from Eora Creek, despite the mud and slippery hills, from the heavy rain they had last night, all trekkers handled it well and are now making their way up to the top of Mt Bellamy. Some trekkers have already reached the top, and now relaxing and enjoying the beautiful view. Others are yet to come, still making their way up….step by, step by, step and they will make it.
?We are all ok; I?m very pleased to see the trekkers coping well with the track and hills. It rained heavily last night, but today the weather looked pleasing,? he said.
Tonight the group will camp at Myola Junction, one of the only few camp spots where not so much of the sunlight can be seen or penetrated through the unique little area that is hidden beneath the high mountains and trees. Not only that, due to their location, we will not be able to get a radio call from them, but I?m sure everything and everyone?s going to be fine. Johnsford will give us a call first thing tomorrow morning, when they get out to Naduri.
Till then, it's over and out from KTL Base
This is a reply message to Deb;
Robert Tiggemann
"Deb I'm going ok, we're at the top of Mt Bellamy 2pm. From here, we're going to go down hill."A little hut, right in the middle of Myola Junction.
IMG_0497.jpgThe guys are up at Naduli lookout – enjoying the panaromic view and resting their tired legs.
From here it's all downhill and a pause at the bottom where the cool creek is to cool off or have a refreshing bath and then walk from here towards Efogi the next stop-over.
The guys asked if they have any messages (probably dying to hear some messages right now now) but we'll call them up and ask if they want to send messages at this stage.
However, all is well and having a taste of what it's like to trek along one of Papua New Guinea's renowned WWII track.
QUOTE(Alison Anis @ 8 Sep 2005, 11:23 AM)The guys are up at Naduli lookout – enjoying the panaromic view and resting their tired legs.From here it's all downhill and a pause at the bottom where the cool creek is to cool off or have a refreshing bath and then walk from here towards Efogi the next stop-over.
The guys asked if they have any messages (probably dying to hear some messages right now now) but we'll call them up and ask if they want to send messages at this stage.
However, all is well and having a taste of what it's like to trek along one of Papua New Guinea's renowned WWII track.
Hi Girls and Rob,
Boy would I like to see some photos now? You looked great and full of eneregy starting the trekk. Hope all is well with you. each one of you at least in one piece. Keep smiling, love from Sydney. Nothing new since you left, will check in next week to see how things are.
KidestCheers to all – I guess a beer would not go amiss right now!! It was super to see your smiling faces, do you continue to smile when you survey the blisters, chafing etc??
I had a really lovely shower this morning – Very warm water, almost too hot and then three towels. Dream about it!
Janet and Len
Hi Robert,
Hope all is well, have you had a coke yet? Be afraid very afraid – Stefanie has her P plates, but not to worry shes taking Rays car tonight.
Trigger is missing you, especially your night time jaunts.
We are trying to behave ourselves without you here but its very hard.
All the girls at work crowd around the computer in the morning to follow your progress , Beris thinks you look sexy in your shorts!!!! especially with your socks and lace up shoes.
Love from your lovely wife and beautiful children.Hi Dad (Ray Thompson),
I hope that you are having a wonderful time. Belinda and i are both doing fine, but we miss you lots, and look forward to seeing you on tuesday. We will both be there at the airport to pick you up. Hope that you have taken lots of photos to show us.
Love you lots. See you soon.
Love Kylie. xoxoHi everyone, I spoke to Johnsford their guide today and all trekkers were doing just great and at that point were at Emita Ridge. The plan was to push on down to Goldie River and spend the afternoon relaxing & swimming.
He was then thinking he would take his trekkers up to Ower's Corner and camp there for the night.
They are down for a pickup tomorrow morning around 8am. On the way back into town they will be taken to Bomana War Cemetery where most trekkers spend an hour looking around at the beautiful grounds and many gravesites.
On average they should be back in their hotel by 1pm
Photograph: just one of the many resting places of our diggers. This one was taken as a special request for a woman aged in her eighties who through a relative asked if we could find the grave and take a photo for her. Turned out it was her brother and she was very happy when she received this photograph.
pic_close_up_2.jpg
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