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Update 22nd July, 2005;
Trek 97
A group of 13 trekkers headed out to Kokoda for a journey of a life time. The group consisted of 11 men and 2 women. They were looking forward to start their journey, but pretty much calm and relaxed, when we met up with them at the Gateway Hotel the night before their trek and where Gail Thomas(www.kokodatrail.com.au) did a briefing. All trekkers looked fit and ready to hit the trail.
Part of the group at Gateway Hotel
IMG_0950.jpgThe group started off bright and early Wednesday morning around 7:30am, as they made their way down to the air-port to board their flight to Kokoda. They met up with another lot of Kokoda Trekking porters, who had just finished a 6 day trek and were heading back home to Kokoda.
I?m sure the trekkers and porters will strike up a few conversation with the trekkers about the trail on their flight to Kokoda.
Photograph – Dominic Kearney & Craig Grabham:
IMG_0952.jpgThey spent the night at Russell?s family block in Kokoda, that same day and were also welcomed by the Traditional Dancing Group from Kokoda, has they entered the family premises.
The very next day, the group started off their journey.
CIMG0589.JPGTrekkers following their flight into Kokoda looked around the area during the day…went for a swim…and totally relaxed.
They then spent the night at Rusty's Place (his family block) in Kokoda and were up bright an early for a 6am start for their walk up to Isurava yesterday 22nd July.
The groups main worry was planning to walk while there was a Test Cricket match on…..they asked for regular updates!!!
Photograph: Another pic taken on the night at the Gateway Hotel:
IMG_0951.jpgLatest on the trail;
Trek 97
The group spent the night at Isurava village yesterday afternoon. Though it was a tough climb up the test mountain, all trekkers did absolutely great. The test mountain is actually the very first mountain to climb as the journey begins. So yeah it?s a challenge, but that?s how it goes, and that?s what you?ll be facing out there as you go along.All trekkers were ok at the end of the day, there was no report of anyone facing difficulties or problems, they all did great, and weather looked fine too.
Wild Choko Fields at the bottom of 'test mountain'.
CIMG0620.JPGLatest;
Trek 97
On their way to Eora creek, the group made a stop at Isurava Battlefield, where the trekkers took their time to read monument and take pictures of the memorial park. They also rested for awhile and then continued on to Alola, which was about another half an hour or an hour walk down from the Battlefield. There, they took some time out again for a another rest, and then moved on. Along the way, somewhere in the middle of Eora creek and Alola, the group made a stop near a small creek, and had lunch.All trekkers are ok, still going strong and doing terrific. Weather at this time still looking good, so should be a great afternoon. The group will camp tonight at Eora and proceed on to their next destination tomorrow.
Isurava Battlefield
CIMG0642.jpgMessage sent by email from Rob Laurie's wife:
Australia 190 & 384
England 155 & 156 for 5
Wallabies lost to Springboks
I am off to Sydney shortly
Hope all going well and that you are enjoying the experience?Hi everyone, I spoke to Tony our guide this afternoon and all trekkers are doing ok but one porter is sick.
Trekkers are now at Brigade Hill where they are spending the night. Tony asked about the Cricket score and also the result of the Rugby Match against South Africa and the Wallabies.
All sounded in good spirts re the excitement in the background.
Photograph: Trek 93 trekkers at Brigade Hill:
IMG_0519.jpgUpdate 25th July, 2005;
Trek 97
After spending the night at Brigade Hill, the group started off bright and early this morning and headed out to their next destination.The group was up at Menari look-out point, when their guide Tony Evari, gave me a call on the two-way-radio, giving me their report. Said it?s been tough and tiring for some trekkers, climbing up and up and going down and down the hills, but all seem to be going strong and doing terrific, no reports of anyone having problems, so that?s great.
They will make a stop at Brown River, probably have some rest, take a swim in the river, have something to eat and then proceed on to Menari, where they will camp for the night. Weather at their end looks fine, so another good day.
Trekkers and porters heading into Menari Village
CIMG0809.JPGMessage for Rob Laurie:
Hi Grandad
Hope the Cherry Ripes are holding out? I am thinking of you – as are Jam, Gina and Diana – and hope the tent is waterproof and the ground not too hard!
Love,
your grand-daughter Vivi
Latest from the trail: Tony radioed in and said he was having trouble with his radio. He said if he couldnt make contact with us again that they had planned to spend the last night at Ower's Corner and that they would be ready for a pickup at 8am on Thursday.
On the way back into town we will have a stopover at Bomana War Cemetery. All going well they should all be back in their hotel rooms by 1pm.
All trekkers are doing ok. Rob is coming in slightly later than the others so is obviously doing it tougher but they all seemed in good spirits which is great to hear.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Tony's group is expected to come out of Ower's Corner tommorrow morning. No radio contact as yet due to problems with radio. At the moment we are assuming they are probably making their way towards Ower's Corner where they agreed to camp overnight before we pick them up tommorrow.
..till then..
Update 28th July, 2005;
Back again
Trek 97
Yes! This group has finally completed their trail. All trekkers are well, they did great and now they are back in Gateway Hotel, except for one trekker who?s at Hideaway Hotel.They were picked up this morning by two of our buses PNGBD 1 & PNGBD 2 plus our KTL 2 truck, and brought down to Bomana War Cemetery, to have a last look around before heading back into town.
All trekkers are happy and excited about their successful walk and very much looking forward to meeting up with Gail and Russell tonight at the Gateway Hotel, for the presentation of their certificates. I?m sure they will have a lot to talk about their 9 days 8 nights adventure.
Well, Congratulations to you all and Welcome Back?
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