- This topic has 8,783 voices and 13 replies.
- Posts
This week we welcomed back to PNG a fourth time trekker by the name of Michael Barrand from Colac in Victoria. Along with Michael is his son Oliver, Peter Coceani and Phil Tucak.
All went according to plan and trekkers spent the night at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat and today commenced their walk to Isurava Village. They left the retreat around 6:30-am this morning and were just about to head out when I last spoke to Wallace Lemeki who was requested by Michael to lead this group.
They have quite an experienced team to walk with who include : Trevor Jinga; Frank Taimbari; Lancelot Guria; Bill harike; Cliff Taimbari and MacKenzie Didime and other guys such as Fresser Jari and Mathies Geroia.
All in all, I am sure they are going to have a great trek.
[attachment=9721:P6260111__640x480_.JPG]
[attachment=9722:P6260112__640x480_.JPG]
P6260111__640x480_.JPG
P6260112__640x480_.JPGGreat to see the group on the move. I am sure Wallace will do a terrific job looking after everyone. Tell Michael and Ollie we are all thinking about them this week and look forward to hearing more news as the adventure unfolds. Cheers for now lol
Hi…. this is bumble bee and I am waiting for my partner to set off on the next trek on the 30/6 with his son…. I noticed a name I know well… Oliver Barrand…. formerly of Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre… a fellow worker. Ollie, you rock now, you did then and I hope you have a great time on the Trek… by the way… this is Karen Bee…. PT and Gymmie… Good Luck… Simon and Sam are behind you form 30/6.
Update 1st July: Firstly my apologise for not being able to update until now. My internet connection has been playing up for two weeks now. Finally Daltron came and moved the aerial on my roof as the wireless was clearly not working properly. It has now been repositioned and hopefully my problems are over!
The first night on the track was at Isurava Village as per plan. Followed up by a night at Eora Creek where they shared the area with several other companies, (yes) its a busy trek – school holidays!
Last night they were at 1900/Myola Junction so today will head for the half way point of Efogi.
Everything is going well, lots of fun I believe listening to Wallace, so all is good at this stage of their trek.
IMGP1892__50____640x480___640x480_.JPGThursday afternoon cold and miserable in Colac and wondering how the guys are doing…..this trip our son Ollie is experiencing the amazing journey that is the Kakoda track experience. I told Michael before he left to take good care of him….thats a Mum for you. Gail I read that your son is also trekking! Maybe they will catch up! I am trying to remember Efogi four years ago…….. I will return but on a longer trek maybe 14 days. Have a great trip love to all.
Robyn2nd July: Hi Robyn, tks for your message. Have just got off the phone at 7am from talking with Wallace who has just informed me they spent last night at Efogi and today head off to the Manari area. He is not sure as yet where they will pull up for the night as there are a lot of trekkers on the track at the present time however it will probably be the Agulogo campsite area.
He said all is still going along as planned and that everyone appears to be having a great time with no problems whatsoever!
Hi Gail! Great to hear the group is going well with their trek. Please say hello to Oliver Barrand from me. Thanks, Eileen
Update 3rd July: The team have now reached Ioribaiwa Village where they spent the night. Everyone continues to do well. Spoke to Wallace and he has requested his speciality, mince/spaghetti/onions etc to be taken up to Owers' Corner tonight.
Why? coz tonight they will be camping at Goldie River and a chance to get some meat walked in. So shopping we willl go for some topside mince so Wallace and his guys can prepare a Spaghetti Bolognese dish for them all to share !
One of his porters will walk up to Goldie and be there at 3pm to pick up the food.
What a great way to finish the trek..trust Wallace to come up with an amazing dinner treat..hope Mac was the porter ensured with the most important task of picking up the goods..well done guys and thanks to Wallace and his team for bring everyone home safely. Enjoy your celebrations on Monday night..well deserved. We look forward to catching up on all the news when Michael and Ollie return to Colac. Thanks Gail for keeping us in the loop..cheers Mike and Trina
Hi all
wondering how you are all going!! How are the feet? Give my love to Big John, Mackenzie and the fabulous KTL boys. Cant believe it was 2 years ago that I was part of Michael's last trek. Looking forward to a catch up when you get back to Colac. lots of love Karen alias – 'nuts and bolts'
Update 6th July: A bit of drama with the food but all worked out well. I received a phone call from Wallace at 6pm saying where is the food??? as the driver had not turned up….
Panic, Panic – as he left Port Moresby around 2:30pm. Wild thoughts entered my mind…where could he be? has he run off the road? has he been held up? why has he not turned up at Owers' Corner.
I soon rounded up someone to accompany me and took off towards Owers' with another lot of food (boring back country) as a quick grab and was soon on the road. When I had reached the top of the hill before you drive to the bottom of Owers' Corner I received a phone call from Wallace to say the driver had turned up and the food was being cooked…whew! so I turned back and headed for Port Moresby so all ended well.
The plan was for the driver to spend the night with the group and that we would meet the next morning at Sogeri Monument area. This all worked out quite well and I caught up with them around 9:30am and drove the group back into town.
Last night we again caught up with the group at the Gateway Hotel where they shared a meal with myself and the boys on their trek. This time round Michael had organised a chicken meal for everyone along with some chocolate cake as desert.
Today as I type this, they are no doubt preparing to fly back to Australia and inform you all about their latest adventure. The photographs below were taken yesterday at the Gateway Hotel.
P7040032__640x480_.JPG
P7040033__640x480_.JPG
P7040034__640x480_.JPG6th July: On behalf of Kokoda Trekking, Mike, thanks once again for coming back to trek with us and for bringing along another group of friends to share the experience with you. We have now met your son and your wife, will look forward to the day we meet your daughter if you can ever convince her to walk the track.
take care everyone, perhaps we will meet again.
kind regards
Gail on behalf of our Kokoda Trekking team. Thanks for the meal last night, it was much appreciated by all.
If you wish to view the photographs taken on the track, please click on the following link:
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.