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It was good to meet up with our latest trekkers last night at the Gateway Hotel. They all appeared excited and ready for their trek. It was agreed to pick the first couple up from the Holiday Inn at 7:30am and then the other two from the Gateway Hotel and take them to the airport to book in for their flight to Guria Airport, Popondetta.
All went ahead a planned and they were soon in the boarding lounge. Trekkers in this group include :
- Kerry Duncan
- Kate Lips
- Ben Clark
- Nicholas Dhar
Twenty minutes after they boarded their flight they were in the Oro Province of Papua New Guinea and were met by Russell Eroro, our driver Richard Aire and other staff.
In Popondetta they visited the war memorial before travelling by road to Kokoda arriving there around 1pm where they relaxed at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat and met with their group of porters and guide.
In Popondetta they visited the war memorial before travelling by road to Kokoda arriving there around 1pm where they relaxed at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat and met with their group of porters and guide.
Its now 9pm and I have just got off the phone after talking to the guide for this trek, Tony Ogonemi and he advised me they had eaten pizza for dinner and were already in their huts.
The plan tomorrow is for them to commence walking between 6:30 to 7am so they reach the foot of the mountains before it gets too hot.
This is our first trek for the season who have decided to commence in Kokoda. The trend this year is definitely walking from this end at Owers' Corner and finishing at our retreat in Kokoda.
Main_Pic.jpgUpdate 19th May:Its now 6:30am and I have just got off the phone after speaking to Tony Ogonemi their guide. He said they were all just about ready to move off from Orohaven. Tony informed me there was a group of 12 Kokoda Trekking staff accompanying the trekkers including two guitar players and an historian, Chrisley Boropi.
Picture them as they walk off from Orohaven.
Orohaven_4.jpgPhotograph: Tony Ogonemi
Tony_Ogonemi__640x480_.jpgAssistant Guide and Kerry's personal porter, Tarina Bore
Tarina__640x480_.jpgHad not heard from the track until this afternoon when the group walked into Efogi II where they are going to spend the night. After leaving Orohaven Kokoda Retreat, the next night was spent at Isurava Memorial. Last night was spent at Templeton's Crossing II and now today they have reached the half way point of Efogi.
Tony sounded excited as he assured me they were all bonding really well and having a great time.
Photographs:
Isurava Memorial; Templeton's and Efogi area
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P3310832__640x480_.JPGUpdate 23rd May: Tony called up today and said they are now at Nauro. Last night was spent at Menari. Tomorrow the aim is to reach Ioribaiwa with the last night being at Imita Ridge.
They are all doing fine and everything is going ahead as per plan.
Update 24th May: We heard from the track a couple of times today, once from Maguli Range and again later in the day to say they had reached Ioribaiwa Village where they are spending the night.
They are powering along it seems and tomorrow will push down to Goldie River for their last overnight in the bush on the Kokoda Track. No doubt when collected from Owers' Cnr on Thursday, they will have lots to talk about.
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IMGP0079__640x480_.JPGUpdate 25th May: Heard from Tony at Emita Ridge that they were on target today and would be up at Owers' Corner bright and early tomorrow around 8am.
Today they plan now on reaching Goldie River. Lets hope they enjoy their last day on the track with our hand selected guide and porters.
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IMGP0057__640x480_.JPGUpdate 25th May: This morning as planned we left Port Moresby around 6:30 to go out to 0wers' Corner to collect our trekkers, guide and porters from trek 627. When I arrived at Owers' Corner, our boys were playing guitars and singing while Kerry was recording their music.
It was a perfect ending to what seemed a very special trek. When I got to talk to the trekkers, all of them expressed what a great time they had. They were full of praise for our company and our staff. Kerry said she tried to think of negative but could not think of anything so gave the trek a 100% positive feedback.
She said the food was good; the boys were unbelievable and they all had a fantastic time.
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SDC10802__640x480_.JPGOn the way back into town we stopped off at the Bomana War Cemetery where trekkers walked around for approximately an hour before we headed into the CBD of Port Moresby.
The trekkers invited our boys for lunch at the Gateway Hotel where they all filled up on pizza's.
All trekkers left PNG today and returned home to Australia.
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Gateway_2.jpgGroup Photograph taken at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat' before they commenced their walk on the Kokoda Trail.
SDC10778__640x480_.JPGOn behalf of Kokoda Trekking, we would like to say a big THANK YOU for choosing to walk with us. We look forward to welcoming any friends or relatives who like yourselves would like to tackle the track.
kind regards
Gail & the team at Kokoda Trekking
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