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The year is fast winding down and it was with delight that we met up with some of our last trekkers for 2009 last night. We arranged to pick them up from the Gateway Hotel at 6:30am this morning to drive them out to Bomana War Cemetery and then on to Owers' Corner.
We also welcome back as a guide Justus Evari. A few years back he left us to commence his own trekking company but it did not work out and he asked for work again to help support his family. As Justus is part of the family being the brother-in-law of the Eroro family, we agreed to let him walk for us again.
During the past month or so he has walked as a porter and is now back to his old position of guide. Last night he informed trekkers that this will be his 138th time on the track so they definitely should not GET LOST…haha
In this group of trekkers we have a group of three friends walking together (all carrying) one of which is a midwife. Another woman who is a nursing sister and a guy from London. They all appeared to be of a similar age group so I think they will hit it off and enjoy their trek, well lets hope so!
Trekkers are:
Bernadette Lack; Travis McCleary; Gavin Wells; Kylee Williams and Mark Lardner
The photographs below were taken at Bomana War Cemetery.
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IMGP1082.jpgA short time later we stopped off at Sogeri Lookout and another photo opportunity presented itself.
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IMGP1086.jpgWe were soon in the car again this time heading to Sogeri Monument area.
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IMGP1089.jpgAfter arriving at Owers' Corner, trekkers and porters can be seen here in preparation for their walk.
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IMGP1097.jpgTrekkers met with their personal porters:
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IMGP1108.jpgPhotographs were taken under the archway as follows:
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IMGP1102.jpgJust before heading off our KTL boys joined them for a photograph:
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IMGP1104.jpgA few moments later and trekkers were off on their first descent heading down to Goldie River:
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IMGP1106.jpgBye bye trek 540. This photograph was taken around 9:10am. We were aiming for a 9am start so were not too far off the mark.
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IMGP1110.jpgAt 3:30pm trekkers reached Ua'Ule Creek campsite where they will spend the night. Apparently all trekkers are doing ok with no problems what so ever at this stage.
Ua__Ule_Creek__1__Small_.jpg14th November: Sorry still having problems with our internet provider so only today able to log on.
The second night trekkers stayed at Naoro Village and yesterday pushed all the way to Efogi where they caught up with our other group that commenced a day earlier then them.
Last night was spent together with this group at Efogi Village where they bumped into the Kokoda Spirt group and Kurt Fearnley. For those of you who are not familiar with Kurt, this guy is an inspiration to us all. Kurt, a two-time Paralympic champion finishes the year unbeaten in marathons, having won in Seoul, Paris, London, Sydney, Chicago and New York.
Kurt Fearnley is 28 and comes from Newcastle who more recently just won a record fourth successive New York marathon, triumphing in a desperate photo finish from South African veteran Krige Schabort. He is now crawling the Kokoda Trail and has reached the half way point of Efogi.
According to our KTL boys, he is doing well but has a blister on his thumb. He is finding the downhills hard but is coping with conditions and is on target to complete his trek. He has lots of loyal friends and family around him supporting him all the way.
As for our group they are powering along and doing really really well it seems.
This morning I received a sat phone call from Naduri Village where they were passing through on their way to Templeton's one where they plan on spending the night. They were at that stage approximately an hour ahead of our other group. However, its not a race, with both groups planning to arrive in Kokoda on the 17th November where they will overnight at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat.
Photograph:
Track picture of the area they will be walking in today.
D4_MOVING_ALONG__Small_.JPG15th November: Trekkers are spending the night at Isurava Memorial area. Tomorrow they will have a short day and plan to reach Hoi Village before walking off the track on Tuesday. All trekkers continue to do well.
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IMGP0191__Small_.jpg16th November: Trekkers have now reached Hoi Village and sent down for some food from Orohaven Kokoda Retreat – sounds like they want a 'party' in celebration of walking off the track tomorrow. I heard they asked for sausages but will know more when they come in off the track. Some food porters walked down and back it seems to Kokoda…I keep telling you, these boys will do anything and everything for their trekkers.
From Hoi they can almost smell the finish line and will be excited tomorrow no doubt to walk off the track.
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Hoi_Village.jpg17th November: Congratulations are in order for Trek 540 who walked off the track today.
The last I heard they were sitting around having pizza and enjoying mixing with other trekkers at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat.
Guesthouse_2.jpg18th November: Everyone looked happy and contented as per the photograph below when they arrived in from Kokoda.
Three trekkers headed to the best hotel in Port Moresby, the Crowne Plaza whilst the other two remained at the Gateway Hotel.
Whilst on the steps they met up with Mike Munro (Channel 7) who was in town to interview Kurt who successfully completed his crawl across the Kokoda Track.
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