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Last night we met up with three of our trekkers in trek 401 at the Gateway Hotel, father and son combination, Peter and Richard Gray along with Sam Steadman.
Turns out Sam whilst staying at Loloata Dive Resort on the outskirts of Port Moresby decided to join family members based at Loloata in the yearly FUN RUN held to raise money for the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Foundation run by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Turns out he was the 2nd overseas person home and 8th overall out of over 2500 so not a bad effort on his part.
Peter looked full of confidence but Richard seemed to be having his doubts if his face told the correct story. Seeing as its the last trek of the year and I am feeling generous, I have allocated a free porter to Richard to help him and Peter. I asked how old and the reply was 19 and a student.
As for Thomas, he arrived in around 8:15 am this morning after doubting he would even get on the flight out of Lae to Port Moresby where he has been staying for a few days leading up to the trek. We met him at the Air Niugini arrival area and introduced him to the other members of his trek and they all seemed to bond straight away which is great.
While waiting for Thomas, I took Peter, Richard and Sam for a spin around Port Moresby and up to where I live in a compound and they commented on the fencing which seemed to surprise them somewhat.
Later today they caught the Airlines of PNG's RPT service to Kokoda and the last I heard was mid afternoon when they all were sitting in the creek cooling off taking a dip.
Tonight they are all guests of the Eroro Family in Kokoda and first thing tomorrow morning they will commence their walk. They have four guides as part of their group so will definitely not get lost! They also have Freddy Yauga as the musician come porter so will be entertained as well!
So our last trek of the year it is hoped will be a fantastic trek for all four of our trekkers. On their arrival back in Port Moresby we will be there to meet them and to hear all about their adventure.
Photograph: Group pic taken at the Air Niugini departure area around 11am this morning:
DSCN1170__Small_.JPGUpdate 1st December: I finally received a radio call today from Kagi saying they were all ok and that they would be spending the night there.
Thomas has a tummy upset. Sam is ok and powering along. Peter and Richard are feeling a little tired but are ok and doing well.
Tomorrow they will do a short walk down to Efogi where they will spend the night.
Photograph: Kagi Village:
003Kagi0001__Medium_.JPGUpdate 3rd December: We heard from the track that our trekkers have reached Efogi village where they spent last night. Today they will head off to Nauro Village. Tom is still experiencing tummy problems but it pushing on.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Efogi Village
Pic 2: Nauro Village
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Naoro_Village__Medium_.jpgUpdate Wednesday 5th December: On the 4th, trekkers pushed on from Nauro and spent the night at Camp 66. This morning they were up bright and early and pushed out to Owers' Corner so our KTL boys could catch their flight back to Kokoda.
We tried to get bookings next week but the flights are fully booked so if they did not get out today they would be stuck here for some time or at least until our own plane is in the air.
At the present time our pilot is trying to work through all the Civil Aviation paper work such as getting his PNG licence; doing his full medical etc.
This morning Russell and I took off in separate vehicles to Owers' Corner to pick up our last lot of trekkers for 2007. When we met up with them they were exhausted but all very happy.
Sam looked like it was a walk in the park for him as he appears 'super' fit. Thomas struggled from half way; Peter & Richard looked like they had just finished a marathon but it was smiling faces all round.
When I first drove down the hill Sailas chased the car with an axe and the boys yelled the usual ORO ORO ORO, which equates to WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME.
A few photographs were taken before we headed off to Bomana War Cemetery.
Around midday the boys booked in for their flight back to Kokoda and should be touching down about the same time as I am typing this.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Owers' Corner Archway 5th December
Pic 2: Group Photograph at Owers' CornerThe road was dry today so we made good time unlike some other times when we are slipping and sliding along.
Shortly after we arrived at Bomana Russell took off with the boys heading back home so they could get organised and book in for their flight while I stayed behind to wait for the trekkers to have a look around.
The two KTL boys Rod Ori and Freddy Yauga stayed back with me as they were not returning on today's flight.
Photographs: taken at Bomana War Cemetery 5th December.
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IMGP4834__Small_.JPGPhotographs: Bomana and Gateway Hotel:
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