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Last night we met up with a group who headed out today on the Kokoda Track. This trek has a very excited Brian Beamish who will celebrate his 70th birthday tomorrow. To walk with Brian is a return trekker Andrew Emerson and friend Lesleigh Bond as well as Ian Everitt and a late person who joined Chris Breitenbach.
In fact on this trek Lesleigh also celebrates her birthday so I told Wallace he had better practice singing Happy Birthday!
Today they were picked up at 8am from their hotel and driven out to Bomana War Cemetery. Mid morning they were dropped off at Owers' Corner to commence their trek.
Below please find photographs taken today:
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IMGP5555__Small_.JPGOther photographs taken at Bomana War Cemetery 26th September, 2008
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IMGP5559__Small_.JPGOn the way out to Owers' Corner trekkers stopped off at Sogeri Monument area.
IMGP5563__Small_.JPGAbout a half hour later they stopped at McDonald's Corner
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IMGP5565__Small_.JPGPhotographs below were taken at Owers' Corner before they commenced their trek:
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IMGP5569__Small_.JPGBrian Beamish meets his personal porter BRENDAN BUKA our Kokoda Challenge Champion. For those of you who do not know, Brendan Buka recently won our race in a new record time of 16 hours 34 minutes. He promises not to make Brian walk at this pace.
When Brian saw that Brendan won, he requested him as his porter. Brendan immediately accepted the challenge of getting Brian safely across the Kokoda track.
Lesleigh meets her personal porter, along with Ian while their guide Wallace Lemeki looks on.
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IMGP5573__Small_.JPGGroup Photograph before they commenced their trek:
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IMGP5574__Small_.JPGBrian led off down the first hill as seen in the pics below with Brendan Buka leading the way. The boys said they were all very excited to be starting on their adventure out on the Kokoda Track.
Wallace Lemeki stayed at the back.
We have not heard from them this afternoon so assume they have stopped at Uberi. Tomorrow we have to drive out to pick up another group coming off the track who would have passed them today so will ask them how they were going.
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IMGP5581__Small_.JPGFor those of you who are observant, you will notice that even the experts do not know what to refer to the archway as the 'Kokoda Track' or the 'Kokoda Trail'.
If you look at the group pic taken before they walk down you will see the archway describes it as the Kokoda Trail.
Whereas the pics of them walking through the archway on the opposite side, state 'Kokoda Track'.
Map of the trail so you can follow their progress:
kokoda2__Small_.jpgJust want to wish Brian a happy birthday. Hope you all have a great trek with good conditions. I will be watching your progress from England.
Happy_Birthday.jpgGood to see them all smiling, enthusiastic and clean.
Wish you all the very best for the days ahead.Lots of love to Ian.
Michelle xxx
Happy birthday, Brian,Dad,Grandad. Please to see you all started well.Love the pics.All well here and hope the trekking is going well.Love from us all. Maureen,Chris and the family.
Hi everyone, I received a sat phone call from Wallace to say that so far today they have sung HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Brian twice and they plan to do so again tonight.
Before the trek I purchased a box of chocolates for Wallace to present to him for his birthday. This apparently went down a treat (remember he is on the Kokoda Trail and treats like this are a luxury)!
All trekkers are doing really well and Wallace is happy with their progress.
Brian said to send a big HI to his family and let you all know that he is having a great time and enjoying himself!
So there you go, you can stop worrying about him as he is doing well.
Earlier today around midday we picked up from Owers' Corner another group who passed this trek yesterday. I over heard one trekker saying to another guy….can you believe it, we met BRENDAN BUKA!!! Yes, when you walk the track, you cannot imagine for a moment how Brendan went from Owers' Corner to Kokoda in 16 hours 24 minutes. I guess when on the track he is a bit of a 'star' but will no doubt have to wait for Brian's return to see how many other trekkers enjoyed meeting up with Brendan.
The group was hoping to move on to Ofi Creek but they have heard that Adventure Kokoda have a large group staying there so have made a decision to stop for the night at Ioribaiwa Village due to possible over crowding that may lie ahead. On another trek our guide made this decision only to find out that Adventure Kokoda changed their mind and overnighted at Nauro.
Will keep you updated as I hear more from the track.
Photographs:
Ioribaiwa and surrounding areas
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