- This topic has 6,421 voices and 12 replies.
- Posts
This morning we said goodbye to Trek 487 when they headed out to Kokoda aboard Tropic Air's Cessna Caravan. All looked excited as they boarded their flight. Trekkers include :
- Pat Byrne
- Denise Byrne
- Siobhan Byrne
- Shannon Byrne
- Tom Hick
- Herman Grmek
- Samantha Baily
- Andrew Sutherland
- Jackson Sutherland
A few drama's for the Sutherland family when (father) Andrew caught the flight from Perth but son Jackson missed his. I heard from Andrew last night that it was Jackson's 18th birthday and the plan was for them to celebrate when they reached Brisbane. Seems it was Andrew on his own and son Jackson trying to play catch up via Melbourne from Perth. All ended well however when they both boarded their flight to PNG on Friday. This morning they informed me that they had a good breakfast as they missed dinner last night celebrating in Port Moresby instead of Brisbane!
Samantha caught up with friends and was there at the airport this morning ready for her flight to Kokoda.
As for the Byrne family and friends, they were paying each other out last night so assumed it carried on at dinner and will do so out on the track no doubt as they appeared to really enjoy each others company.
As for our staff, well they are in for a surprise as most trekkers cannot sing but heading their way is one of the Byrne daughters who has sung in public recently for the opening of a footy game from memory and is booked again for an engagement on her return. In the past they have had to make do with 'Old MacDonald had a Farm' but this time round who knows what will happen as I believe the other daughter and also Pat himself can sing.
The photographs below were taken this morning:
IMGP6174___resized.jpg
IMGP6173___resized.jpgThese photographs were taken shortly before they boarded their flight:
IMGP6175___resized.jpg
IMGP6177___resized.jpg
IMGP6176___resized.jpgTrekkers will spend today relaxing in Kokoda. They will walk up to the Kokoda Station monument area and then later in the day have a swim in a creek and return to our guesthouse area below where they will spend the night.
Photograph – Orohaven Kokoda Retreat:
DSCN0166___resized.jpg
DSCN0162___resized.jpg12th April: Wayne their guide called in this afternoon by two way radio to say they reached Isurava Village around 4pm and that they were all doing ok with no problems.
Trekkers got away around 7am this morning from Orohaven.
Update 13th April: Trekkers are now at Eora Creek where they will spend the night. All trekkers are doing ok according to their guide Wayne Urina (2nd fastest man to ever cross the Kokoda Track in a little over 18 hours in 2008).
15th April: Sorry did not hear from the group yesterday but today were advised that they had reached the half way point of Efogi, well done don't you reckon.
After spending the night in Efogi they will head tomorrow to Agulogo or somewhere in that vicinity.
DSCN1285__Small_.JPG
IMG_1445__Small_.jpg16th April: Trekkers are now on the way home with tonight being somewhere in the Menari/Aglogo area. We have not heard from the track today but hope everyone is enjoying themselves in the company of our KTL boys.
19th April: Did not hear from the track again yesterday but with all the Anzac treks on the go and a couple of medevac's being discussed, it would have been hard to get a message out as when you are down low radio's do not always work. When on higher ground, perhaps Wayne tried but could not get a chance to talk.
However, we do know they are homeward bound and should be off the track tomorrow when we once again go up on a road that needs to be graded badly. So far its been a dry road but believe me its going to be fun in the wet and last night it rained heavily here in Port Moresby but until we head out today for drop off we will not know if it rained up there.
Yesterday however, we ran into a group that came off the track and they said it poured at Ua'Ule Creek area all night so no doubt that area will be muddy so trekkers will have a bit of fun walking the last leg of their trek.
Am off now to pick up trekkers from Owers Corner as we were informed they were to overnight at Goldie River which is a short distance away from the finish line.
DSC_0286__Small_.JPG19th April: We drove out around 8am this morning to pick up from Owers' Corner and found the going quite tough as the road was still wet and slippery. On the return leg it was much better as the sun had come out and helped to dry out the dry.
All trekkers looked happy and relieved to have completed their trek and enjoyed our KTL boys company. Wayne Urina their guide was sick and was later taken to the Pacific International Hospital where he ended up with a needle for Malaria and is now resting but still quite hot.
Photographs below were taken today at Owers' Corner.
IMGP6269.jpg
IMGP6270.jpgThe following photographs were taken tonight at the Gateway Hotel when trekkers invited their porters to share some pizza and soft drinks with them.
On the way home the boys were telling me they loved walking with this group and had a great time and hoped they too enjoyed the walk and the experience of mixing with them.
Pat on behalf of Kokoda Trekking Ltd, thanks for choosing to walk with us and kicking off this trek and inviting your friends to join you all. Also a big thank you for allowing the other trekkers to tag on to your group.
On behalf of all of us, congratulations to each of you as you have done yourselves proud.
take care
Gail and the gang at Kokoda Trekking
Kokoda3_COL___160_size.jpg
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.