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We welcomed back to PNG last night four ex trekkers from May 2005. Today they were up bright and early for what was supposed to be a 6am take off to Kokoda with Tropic Air. Unfortunately the weather was not kind and the flight was delayed. Trekkers posed for a photograph next to my Prado as they waited patiently for their flight to Kokoda:
Trekkers included:
Mark Goodear; Grant Colman; Robert Barnes; Glenn Parker; Mark McGrane and Peter Mundey.
As there were pilots amongst the trekkers, they were giving cheek to the younger tropic air pilots as the waited for the fog to lift. One pilot Grant Colman came from Hong Kong to walk the track and he was all smiles from the minute we met at the Gateway as with the others who were obviously looking forward to their next walk.
As for the two new recruits….well I can just imagine the stories they filled their heads with. In the photograph below the newcomers are on the left, more than likely feeling a little bit nervous as they wondered what lay ahead of them and if all they heard was true or the guys spinning a yarn!
100_2897.jpgThis photograph was taken shortly before they boarded their flight to Kokoda. I heard later on our two way radio that they had landed safely in Kokoda and after a look around the Kokoda Station monument area, they were driven up to Kovelo.
Rod Ori was on standby at the Kokoda airstrip to welcome his trekkers to Kokoda. A short time later they were driven up to Kovelo where Mark Goodear was to hand over to the Kovelo Elementary School a donation he had organised through me which included $500.00 of school supplies such as exercise books, pen, pencils, crayons, colouring pencils, A4 paper, A3 paper, wall clock, chalk, dusters and a whole lot more.
I am sure the teacher at Kovelo Elementary School will be happy as when I heard from Mark I contacted our Guide Rod Ori at Kovelo and asked for their wish list. Everything on the wish list was provided. A stationery company here in Port Moresby gave me wholesale rates so this also helped with the quantity supplied. All supplies went out on our charter earlier this week and were driven up to Kovelo in our truck so were in time for Mark's arrival today.
They were all going to have a look around at the school to see what else was needed when they visited there today.
100_2898.jpgThe first night we heard they spent the night at Isurava Village. Last night they stopped at Templeton's 2. One guy was struggling a little bit but have not heard anything today so assume they are full speed ahead heading to their next destination.
Photograph: Templeton's Crossing 2:
Templeton__s_Crossing_2.jpgUpdate 28/05/07 Trekkers spent the night of the 28th at Efogi Village. All were fine and looking forward to their next days hike even the person who was feeling sick the day before:
Photograph: Efogi Village – which our trekkers commonly refer to as 5 star:
Efogi_2_Guesthouse.jpgUpdate 29th May: Trekkers were going to spend tonight at Nauro. We didnt hear from our guide this afternoon but when he called in earlier this morning that was where they were heading.
Photograph: Nauro Village:
Naoro_Village.jpgTomorrow night they will be at Ua'Ule creek and will come out on Thursday 31st as planned.
Photograph: Ua'Ule Creek Campsite area:
Ua__Ule_Creek_Guesthouse.jpgUpdate 31st May: Trekkers and porters ended up sleeping last night at Goldie River instead of Ua'Ule Creek.
Goldie_River_2.jpgRod Ori's Diary Trek 294:
Day 1: We left Kokoda around 10:00 am for Kovelo to present the Elementary School materials to the teacher. After that we headup to Deniki for our first break of the day which was our morning tea.
After having morning tea, we left for Isurava. Before reaching our destination we experienced a heavy downpour. Everyone of us enjoyed that evening dinner. We had bully beef with noodles, sweet potatoes, choko's and beef teriyaki with noodles.
Photograph: Mark Goodear handing over his donation of school supplies to the Kovelo Elementary Primary School:
100_2901.jpgDay 2: We started off early because the trekkers wanted to see the Japanese plane up on the mountain at Isurava. Joe took the trekkers up to see the aircraft while the rest of us went ahead to the Isurava Battlefield.
After that we headed down to Eora Creek. On our way we stopped to take the trekkers to see the Japanese tunnel and then headed down to Eora Creek to have lunch. After lunch we left for camp which was at Templeton's Crossing 1.
We ended up camping at Templeton's Crossing 2 because Peter was feeling sick.
100_2909.jpgDay 3: We started ealy on our 3rd day due to not being on schedule. We had our morning tea at 1900. After that we walked down to Kagi for lunch. We had sweet potatoes for lunch at Kagi.
At about 2:00pm we left Kagi for Efogi and on our way to Efogi we experienced heavy rain and around 5pm we arrived at Efogi.
After dinner we were all tired and went straight off to bed early.
Some of our Kokoda Trekking (KTL) porters:
100_2904.jpgDay 4: We started at 6:45am for Naoro. We had morning tea at Menari and some ripe bananas, pawpaws and mandarins.
After that we proceeded onto Agulogo for lunce! At Agulogo we bought pork meat for dinner at Naoro. That evening we had a very good dinner and all went off to bed early for our next days walk to Goldie River.
Day 5: We started very early at 6:00am as everyone wanted to end the day close to Port Moresby. We had morning tea at Ofi Creek around 9:30am then proceeded on to Ioribaiwa for a break.
The trekkers bought canned drinks for each of the boys and ripe bananas and then we went down to Ua'Ule Creek for lunch. Following lunch we went onto Goldie River. We arrived at Goldie River at 5:30 pm.
Ua__Ule_Creek_17.jpgDay 6: This morning our 6th day we had breakfast around 7:00am and started walking slowly up to Owers' Corner.
Everyone was so excited to finish their trek. Trekkers commented that they had enjoyed their trek and will never ever forget their experience.
Photograph: Group pic taken in Kokoda before they commenced their trek: – Trek 294 – 4 ex trekkers and 2 newcomers!
100_2899.jpgComments from Trekkers:
Peter Mundey: an absolutely inspirational and unbelievable experience. Words can't describe the joy and happiness I will take away from this trek.
The level of care and concern I got after getting sick on the second day from Rod and the KTL boys, was an eye opener and over the top.
To Joey (my personal porter), I can't speak more highly of his friendship and concern. He was like my shadow and treated me like one of his family.
The boys have catered for us along the track and also at night with their music and laughter and the interaction of us all.
I leave here with a bond of mateship and friendship that I will have forever.
Peter Mundey,
Trek 294Photograph: Peter receiving his certificate of achievement at the Gateway Hotel 31st May, 2007:
IMGP3619.jpgMark McGrane: firstly I would like to thank Rod and his boys for there unending help, attention, kindness and full time entertainment (ie singing and jokes).
When I was in trouble walking, Pius (my porter) was always close by too help. A big THANK YOU, and also to all the other KTL boys who helped me at different times, thank you.
It has been the biggest single experience of my life to see life in another example.
At times when I was suffering it would not have been possible to get through without the help and encouragement of the boys, again thank you and may the future be good to all the boys and your country.
Mark McGrane,
Trek 294PS and thank you for carrying our packs and feeding us 'Very Well'.
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