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Today saw us welcome to Papua New Guinea Malcolm and Cheryl Henriques all the way from Mudgee in NSW. They appeared relaxed and in good spirits despite having a few mishaps concerning Cheryl's passport which saw them miss their Friday flight from Brisbane to Port Moresby. They ended up in Cairns at midnight and an early flight to PNG from Cairns but all ended well as they arrived here in PNG to walk the Kokoda Track.
Due to the lateness of their arrival their flight to Popondetta we were forced to change the direction of their trek at the last minute and they now commenced from Owers' Corner. On the plus side, they got a chance to have a look around Port Moresby and had a nice meal at a chinese restaurant before being driven out to the drop off point.
We had a few anxious moments as well with regards to the staff required for this trek as they had to be flown at the last minute into Port Moresby to join this trek. Two were lucky enough to arrive in yesterday with just the clothes on their backs while two others played catch up when they caught our truck to Popondetta from Kokoda to fly to Port Moresby having to leave Kokoda around 1am hoping to catch the Air Niugini 7am flight. Luck was not on our side as Air Niugini had cancelled several flights yesterday and it was decided to delay the flight today until 1pm this afternoon.
So another change had to be made for them to board the earlier flight out of Popondetta with Airlines of PNG having them arrive in Port Moresby approximately two hours after Cheryl and Malcolm touched down. Whilst waiting for the staff to arrive, they were driven out to Bomana War Cemetery.
Once we all gathered together and the boys had their lunch we took to the road that was to lead us to the drop off point. On the way we decided to stop off at the Wilderness Wild Life Sanctuary on the outskirts of Port Moresby.
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P1060104__640x480_.JPGThe guide for this trek is Harold Hauro seen here at the Wildlife Sanctuary. Assisting Harold is his good friend Arnold Jinga and two young boys by the name of Malum and Kingsley Eroro.
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P1060109__640x480_.JPGTrekkers seen here in the back area of our Toyota Troopcarrier with the boys who will accompany them for the next 7 days.
IMGP2600__640x480_.JPGOn the way out to the drop off point we stopped at Rouna Falls lookout.
IMGP2601__640x480_.JPGAfter we arrived at Owers' Corner trekkers started getting ready to move off down to Goldie River where the plan was to spend the night. So today they will have a short day and tomorrow a long day.
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IMGP2604__640x480_.JPGOther photographs taken at Owers' Corner.
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IMGP2607__640x480_.JPGWe were soon saying goodbye to trek 681 and we saw the last glimpses of them heading off down the hill. bye bye – see you when you fly back in from Kokoda.
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IMGP2609__640x480_.JPGWe heard from the track today at Ioribaiwa to say they were on the move and that the boys seemed to think their trekkers were quite fast. As a result they were going to try and reach Ofi Creek today.
DSC02657__Small___2_.jpgHi Chez & Mal,
We hope your first day of trekking went well. We are glad you arrived safely & are now on your way. Mum says to say hello…Dad has been googling this website keeping up to date as well. We will keep in touch ..take care and look after yourselves.
Love Leonie, David & the kids XXX
Update 27th September: Harold called in to say they spent last night at Japs Ladder and today were heading for Agulogo campsite area. He said they were all doing ok.
Hi Chez & Mal,
Had news that you are doing well. Hope you are not too sore yet! Some of the mountains in the photos look a little steeper than three poles!!! Hope all the training has paid off! Love the Emmott Family XX
Hey! Guys!!.. Photos look good.. having a great trek I hope. Weather good? Thinking of you, Richard, Chloe & Rachel say hello! . & Malcolm, all is well at the pharmacy .. look forward to hearing all your fabulous stories when you get back.. have a great holiday after the trek & enjoy the rest of the adventure.. xox Rozanna
Congratulations are in order for Cheryl and Malcolm as they walked off the track today and are now relaxing at Orohaven Kokoda Retreat. I have just spoken to Cheryl and she said they were both ok. Apparently Malcolm has stuffed his boots and at the time was organising some pizza for them all.
As other locals from Kokoda are in the bar area they are presently relaxing and sharing some drinks in our recreation hut. We will catch up with them tomorrow.
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Recreation_Area__640x480_.jpgToday I got to meet up with Cheryl and Malcolm following their successful trek across the Kokoda Track. Both of them were pumped up as they told me about their walk and some of their experiences.
No doubt they are now focusing on the next stage of their holidays when they fly to Brisbane and then on to Vanuata.
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