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Today saw we say goodbye to three trekkers who headed off to Kokoda this morning around 8:30am. The trek included Bruce Richards and his daughter Emma, along with John Neal.
All three looked excited and full of beans as they headed out to board their flight to Kokoda – just take a look at the photograph below.
Their guide is Paul Esiko.
A short time later after boarding their flight they are seen below arriving at Orohaven and being met by my son Shane and Wallace who Manages all our treks that leave from the Kokoda end.
The last few words I heard Emma say, was that she had never been on a small aircraft before!
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P5260065.jpgTonight they are our special guests at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat and tomorrow they will commence their walk to Isurava Village.
All three were looking forward to a relaxing day in Kokoda. Emma said she was about to start a nursing course so a stopover at the Kokoda Memorial Hospital was on the schedule for today.
I do not know what they are having for dinner tonight but after hearing Richard is a chef, well with two chefs in Orohaven, who knows what would be on the menu.
As for today the trekkers who came in off the plane were so excited with their breakfast that they took a photograph of it. Bacon, egg & pancakes with maple syrup.
P5260054_resized.jpgTomorow morning they will be up bright and early and will walk up past the Kokoda Memorial Hospital and will head out on the Kokoda Track. Before they walk off perhaps they will stop to have their photograph taken like this guy Grant.
Some time ago I organised the carving of various traditional signs in Kokoda to try and give either the start or finish a bit of atmosphere. Since then I have seen hundreds of such photographs so feel I achieved what I set out to do.
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P5260034.jpgUpdate 28th May: Have heard from the track that trekkers got away on time this morning and are now at Isurava Village where they will spend the night.
All are ok.
Tomorrow they will continue their walk and will arrive at the Isurava Memorial area before heading on to Alola and down to Eora Creek.
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D2_ISURAVA_MEMORIAL__Small_.JPG30th May: We heard from the track today as they were walking up Mt Bellamy the highest point on the Kokoda Track. Paul Esiko said everyone was ok and doing well.
After leaving Isurava Village they pushed on down to Eora Creek where they spent the night. Tonight they will be at 1900 Myola Junction and tomorrow they will commence their walk into Efogi the half way point.
The way Paul spoke depending on time and how they were feeling, they may push on through Efogi and head to another place to sleep the night.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Eora Creek
Pic 2: 1900 Myola Junction Campsite AreaEora_Creek_2__Small_.jpg
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D3_COLD_AT_MYOLA__Small_.JPG1st June: Trekkers left Efogi this morning and tonight are spending the night at Naoro Village. All trekkers continue to do well.
We are not too sure where they intend to reach tomorrow but assume at this stage Ua'Ule Creek as they are down to walk off the track on Wednesday.
Photographs:
Naoro Village
3rd June: Sorry, could not up date yesterday as our internet was down. As I write this we are preparing to head out to Owers' Corner to collect trekkers and porters from trek 552. Yesterday they called in from Ioribaiwa to inform us they were on target to come out today off the track.
IMGP3962__Small_.JPG3rd June: Turned out the group overnighted at Ioribaiwa Village last night and walked off the track today around 1pm.
Hence, CONGRATULATIONS to trek 552 for successfully completing their trek. All three trekkers looked really please with themselves.
Today was not without hiccups however, as our Toyota Prado developed some kind of problem on the way back from Owers' Corner the pick up point and they called for backup.
Back at the office, I packed up and headed off towards Sogeri Monument area to help bring out the group so met up with them first hand and on the way back down heard about their experiences which was great.
Tonight we met up with them again before returning to base to watch the State of Origin. Well done to Queensland! As we are supporters of QLD, it helped make the day when they won.
Below are some photographs taken today of Emma and her father arriving up at Owers' Corner along with her personal porter (a female) and other porters:
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IMGP0095.jpgJohn Neal arriving up at Owers' Corner with the remainder of our porters and guide Paul Esiko.
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IMGP0099.jpgGroup Photograph taken at Owers' Corner shortly before they were driven to Bomana War Cemetery and then back to the Gateway Hotel.
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