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Photographs:
Pic 1: the walk down to Kovelo
Pic 2: Kovelo here we COME – out of the bush and the sense of accomplishmentPhotographs:
Pic 1: Kovelo school where students do not have any desks and where they have to sit on a dirt floor to attend lessons. This year a trekker donated school supplies which was the first time they had ever received anything even from the Dept of Education here in PNG. How the teacher teaches is anyone's guess.
Pic 2: Small store in Kovelo
Pic 3: Kovelo VillageKovello_School__Medium_.jpg
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Kovelo_Village__Medium_.jpgCongratulations to Trek 350 who completed their trek today and who are now relaxing at Russell Eroro's family block in Kokoda.
Our KTL 1 truck based in Kokoda was at Kovelo waiting for our trekkers and I spoke to Barbara during the time they were driving down to the Kokoda Station. She sounded so relieved that she had finished as today was obviously a BIG DAY for her. She said it was so great to see the truck as she sounded like she didn't feel she could make it any further.
Just now I spoke to her again and she sounded so different back to her old self again as she said its just beautiful at Russell's block and she is so happy. She asked if there was any more messages for her….so COME ON EVERYONE, START POSTING so I can read some out to her tonight!
I haven't spoken to the guys as yet so assume they must have done it easier than Barb but no doubt when they arrive back in here tomorrow I WILL HEAR ALL ABOUT THEIR walk!
I informed Barb earlier today that if she did not feel up to another wash in a creek that there is a shower at Russell's place…..she OPTED FOR THE SHOWER!!! its cold but I assume she did not want to take another walk to the creek!
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Creek_2__Medium_.jpgEarly tomorrow morning around 3am they will travel down to Popondetta from Kokoda in our truck KTL 1 in time to catch the 7:25am Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby.
All going well and the aircraft being on time, they should be back in the hotel here in Port Moresby around 8:30am. Telephone: 0011 675 327 8100
Photograph: KTL 1
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Trek_292_098__Small_.jpgDear Patrick, Bill and Barbara
CONGRATULATIONS! Am I allowed to say "I'm proud of you" yet? Well… I am. I was very confident that you'd done the preparation and provided nothing went astray (healthwise), I knew that you'd make it. It's been a bit surreal for me to be able to keep track of your progress – just think, I've seen more photos of you over there than you have! The regular updates on where you had got to each day were great, so I could track it on the map. Hope the leeches stayed away from you and that your feet held up ok.
I can't wait to see you on Sunday. Don't forget to look for me in the arrival gate lounge in Sydney. Congratulations again on a fantastic achievement. I'm looking forward to hearing all of your stories. Enjoy the first dozen beers or so. Try to have a hot shower at some stage (though I'm sure you'll have your priorities in order).
Love Amanda xx
Dear bill and Patrick, I knew youd make it – and what a great achievement!! Makes you wonder how they did it in the war with no help. Anyway you two are warriors – walking machines and I am in awe of your achievement as there is no way I could have done it. Wish you were coming home tomorrow but enjoy the Time Out in the hotel and live it up a bit!! I may well weep on Sunday – dont worry will not say Im proud Bill but may have a sign at the airport. Love you both lots great effort Annie Bananie AKA St George Cabs!!!
DADDY!!!!!!!!!!! PATRICK!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU'RE DONE!! DO YOU FEEL GREAT???? aww great work im so proud of you both!! I knew you would both make it – you trained so hard. I can't wait to see you both – bet you have some classic stories and funny memories!! Miss you lots and can't wait until you get back. You should be so proud of yourselves!!
xx CAITLIN xx
p.s. melbourne won in case you didnt know!!Hi Dad, Hey Patrick. Congrats. I'm so proud of you guys..well done. Love you lots, See you soon. x GRACIEE
Heyy daddy and patrickk! Congratulations! you're finished! what a great achievement!! Love you both, xxxx annalise
Hi Barbara. Nearly done? Enjoy the comfort of the hotel, shower etc. Hope to see you next week but only if you have time. Will call you. Love Gail (and the rest of us)
Barbara Should have read the messages before I wrote the first one. I hope you are proud of yourself cos we are proud of you. Kelsie Andy Bradie Darren Geogie all send best wishes and think you are pretty good to do this as none of them could.
see you soon love Gail and KevinBarb, sorry i havn't kept in touch. Tried on tues and couldn't find the site,hopefully now ok ..Congratulations on making it , I new you would.Will try to ring you at the hotel after I get home from work. Can't wait to see you home. Love Ian.
Update 6th October: As I write this, our three trekkers are being driven around town. First off the ranks was a visit to a jewellery store then the craft market and now I think a supermarket before heading back to their separate hotels. Barbara is staying at the Gateway Hotel and the two guys are at the Ela Beach Hotel – both hotels owned by the same company, Coral Sea Hotels Group.
Following please find some photographs taken last night when we met. We picked up the Patrick and Bill and then headed off to the Gateway Hotel to meet up with Barb and caught up with all their stories whilst sitting around the swimming pool. I will share with you now the pics:
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DSCN0798__Small_.JPGFrom all of us here at Kokoda Trekking, we would like to THANK you for CHOOSING to trek with us as your preferred Kokoda Track Operator. We know you think our mountains are relentless but hey you all ACHIEVED your dream of walking the Kokoda Trail, well done!
From Gail, Russell and the KTL gang at Kokoda Trekking.
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Logo_Stickers.jpgFootnote: the reason we chose the logo of the trekker with his hand stretched out to his porter is due to the fact that the staff we have working for us are truly wonderful and are always looking out for you.
Each group has their own ukulele (small 4 string guitar) and the boys are always singing (it's amazing how the pain seems to disappear, when someone is singing as you are climbing a hill, hurting like there is no tomorrow). They always ensure that the entire group is OK and that everyone is safely in camp before dark – very important with the conditions up here.
The only time you will ever walk at night is if you are taking much longer than is anticipated to get you into camp. When I first teamed up with Russell I asked him to write down all the things he loved during his 12 + years of walking and all the things he did not like or did not think safe to do.
As he was no longer the employee and now the boss, the first thing on his wish list 'NOT TO DO' was to walk at night. He felt it was dangerous for trekkers and porters alike but added, us Papua New Guineans we want to keep trekkers safe and if they fall in the night it worries us especially at river crossings!
Russell and his brother John a veteran of 400 + treks trains and give guidance to all our KTL boys. They are now the future of tomorrow and with so many young men joining us, its my job to find the trekkers for them to walk with. They will be your mentors on the track and also your best friend. I am sure Barb, Bill and Patrick will agree, you start out as strangers but end very much as friends!
Photograph: Russell Eroro at Nauro River Crossing with his beloved bush knife!
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