- This topic has 2,027 voices and 8 replies.
- Posts
On Saturday we met up with four friends when they landed at Jackson's airport from Cairns. All trekkers flew with Airlines of PNG and it all worked like clockwork.
Stephen Callister, Lyall Richardson, Amy Cook and Allison Schabel were met at the airport by myself, Russell Eroro and other porters and their guide.
After packing all their backpacks onto our Landcruiser, the next stop was a supermarket so they could fill up on water before heading out to Ower's Corner.
On the way, we called into Bomana War Cemetery so they could pay their respects and we were soon off on the road to Sogeri.
Trekkers seen here at Bomana War Cemetery with their guide Tarina:
Copy_of_IMGP1246.jpgStephen grew up in Missima and seemed really happy to be back on PNG soil and couldnt wait to hit the Kokoda Track.
Driving out to Sogeri I could sense his excitement and that of the others in their team.
Russell also gave a chance to Tarina one of our assistant guides to lead his first trek. When I introduced him to our trekkers he could not contain the smile across his face for the faith Russell has in him.
On the night before, Russell gave him advice that saw him walk the track for over 12 years of his life. Tarina listened intently as he really is proud Russell has given him the chance to lead his own trek.
Our KTL porters and guide seen here at Bomana War Cemetery. All these guys walked in with our Anzac trek and stayed on in Port Moresby to walk home with our trekkers:
Copy_of_IMGP1249.jpgYesterday he phoned me by sat phone and gave me an update of their progress. He said two trekkers were doing it tough but were doing ok. They had made it to Nauro but had fallen behind schedule. This was discussed before they headed out and arrangements made so they could fly in at another date from Popondetta should this end up being the case.
I transferred him to Russell and further advice was given over the phone. It seemed they had reached Naoro and just wanted to lie down and rest. He asked how hard he should push them and Russell told him to wait for half and hour and then take them down to a new guesthouse near Naoro River and spend the night.
Photograph: on the way out to Sogeri we stopped at a lookout and trekkers walked around and took photographs:
IMGP1254.jpgJust after driving off from this point, there was a huge bang which myself and the trekkers inside the troopcarrier did not hear but Russell and the porters/guide in the bus behind us did……..
They came racing up behind us yelling and screaming with their horn blaring. Before we heard all of this we came across a electricity wire that was strung across the road much like a road block. We stopped about 20 metres from the live wire and reversed all the way back up to the lockout.
Another few minutes later a guy driving a car down from Sogeri came past and we wondered how he managed it with the wire across the road. The driver said they came around the corner and did not see the wire and went straight through it and felt an electric shock – one would assume the rubber tyres saved them.
Photograph: A vehicle parked on the hill not being able to move because of the live wire across the road:
Copy_of_IMGP1251.jpgSo here we were back at the lookout and on either side an electricity wire crossing the road in two directions hence trapping us at the lookout. We saw another car come down from the Sogeri side and he must have been going slower as they noticed the wire and went back and reported it. Some 30 minutes later vehicles arrive and removed the wire and we were able to proceed to Sogeri.
Photograph: Elcom workers to the rescue, our thanks to them for their fast service as we had no idea how long we would have been stuck at the lookout:
IMGP1255.jpgPhotograph: Russell Eroro veteran of 270+ treks and my business partner seen here with our driver Kei. They were all smiles when we got the ok to move off as we knew how important it was to our trekkers to try and start walking as early as possible.
Copy_of_IMGP1248.jpgHi everyone, I spoke to Tarina by sat phone today and he said everything is going to plan. Trekkers have caught up and are on schedule to reach Kokoda as planned around 2pm on the 4th May.
They were planning to spend the night at Templeton's 1 and move out first thing in the morning. Tomorrow night they will overnight at Isurava and then walk out the following day.
When they reach Kokoda they will be the invited guests of Russell Eroro (my business partner's) family in Kokoda.
The following morning they will be driven to the airport in Popondetta to catch their flight back into Port Moresby. We have asked our guide to contact us again tomorrow afternoon for an update.
Hi again, the latest from the trail in the past 10 minutes is that Lyall has sprained his ankle so is finding it tough. They have reached Isurava Battlesite Area where they will spend the night. Its all downhill from here on in but still quite steep and tough….worst case scenario, they carry him out as the boys can smell HOME SWEET HOME!!! Tarina sounded very excited that he would soon reach Kokoda and that his trekkers were still on schedule.
Hi everyone, all trekkers are now back in Port Moresby where I met up with them tonight whilst they were tucking into some nice food in the Gateway Restaurant.
They had a few stories to tell:
1. Stephen couldnt believe his eyes today when he saw a plane land and out walked his mother. They were in transit on a flight from Alotau to Ukarumpa and stopped to refuel at Guria/Popondetta airport.
2. Lyall is ok but did it really tough and his feet are not real pretty at the moment although he did not show me. Apparently he has had blisters, a sore big toe and a sprained ankle. He was all SMILES however when I caught up with them tonight and was really happy.
3. The girls looked on top of the world with smiles you could not erase even if one wanted too. They obviously had a great time and I am sure you will all hear about it once they arrive back home
4. When they arrived the Eroro Family home in Kokoda yesterday they were blown away by the feast the women on the family block had prepared for them.
5. They left Kokoda bright and early to make the 6:30 flight back to Port Moresby. However, Air Niugini did not send in a plane and kept coming up with all kinds of excuses. As for us here in Port Moresby were getting the same run around trying to find out what time to go to the airport to collect them. Finally they arrived back in Port Moresby around 4pm after being up since 3am this morning.
Photograph: Inside the Gateway Hotel Restaurant 6th May, 2006:
IMGP1286___600_size.jpg
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.