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A little bit further on, and the traditional sing sing group along with Russell's parents, family and friends all waiting to welcome Trek for Tom trekkers to their family block. Russell's mum and dad raised 17 children.
9 of their own children, the others adopted. This included four of her sisters children when she passed away and asked Peggy to raise her kids for her.
IMGP3693__Medium_.JPGWith the warriors running towards them in mock battle, they reached for their cameras:
IMGP3695__Medium_.JPGRussell's mother Peggy waits on the left with flowers on her hair to echo the words ORO ORO ORO, which means, WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME….. His father is in the middle of this photograph
IMGP3698__Medium_.JPGSome trekkers sit while others stand during the sing sing performance welcome for them. The houses in the background are traditional win haus's. Each of the adult children who live on the block each have a win haus.
Their main house is only for sleeping. Once awake, you move outside and get on with your day. The win haus is where you relax….eat…mix with family members…and of course, cater for guests and now tourists.
When some of our boys came to visit in Australia they asked where all the people were and why there was not many outside on the streets. I answered its because we do everything in our homes. Cook, eat, relax, watch TV, whatever. They found this very strange as on average the only time they are in their houses is to sleep as the majority do not have TV's, kitchens etc in their homes. They also do not have bathrooms as to this day they wash in creeks.
Russell's block is an exception as there is a stand alone bathroom if anyone wishes to wash there instead of the creek They also have a kitchen with a fridge and gas stove. The majority of people in Kokoda to this day, cook over a log fire outside in the open.
IMGP3706__Medium_.JPGSing Sing over, its time to meet Russell & John's family and to say hi to other family members and sing sing dancers:
IMGP3709__Medium_.JPGUpdate 10th June: We received a radio message from their guide John saying they had reached Isurava Village when a decision was made to push onto the Isurava Monument area another couple of hours further on. They were all doing really well, no worries whatsoever.
As we have our tractor needing a part from Australia, Phil was more worried if I had received the information relating to the part number etc informing me if it could be ordered in time, Lisa his wife could bring it up with her this coming Friday….well here's hoping!
John promised to radio in from Alola tomorrow as they pass by so stay tuned for further updates.
In the meantime do not forget to check out the photographs I posted today.
CLICK HERE to be taken to that area of our website:
Photograph: a group of our KTL boys seen at the Isurava Monument area during an Anzac trek this year in April:
Picture_115.jpgUpdate 11th June: John Derick contacted me by sat phone saying they had reached Templeton's 2 where they were spending the night.
All trekkers were doing just fine, some were a little slow (do not ask me who)…haha this is not a race just so long as everyone makes it from A-B its all that counts.
This is probably based on John's time! Remember he is in training for the KOKODA CHALLENGE RACE on the Gold Coast come 14-15th July.
I can remember on one trek I asked trekkers what some of the highlights were….one guy replied, walking up Emita Ridge and doing it really tough, when John walks past singing at the top of his voice! He said that would stay with him forever the fitness of these guys.
ok, a message for Lisa from Phil which I passed on this morning by email:
Phil wants 24 'Trem for Tom' t/shirts' to come to PNG with her (I can only imagine one each for every boy on their trek).
So thats the drum, all are ok, doing just fine and Phil is worrying about t/shirts.
Photograph: Templeton's 2 campsite area where they would have spent last night as I am just updating this at 6:30am on the morning of the 12th:
Templeton__s_Crossing_2.jpgHey, these guys are FAST….they are presently ahead of the 6 day trekkers! They have reached 1900 and now want to proceed to Efogi where they will spend the night:
Photograph: Efogi Village where they will spend the night – considered by trekkers as 5 ***** stars:
any hey….he maybe on the track but seems Phil is still giving orders….he now wants 24 'hats' – I have passed on this request already to Lisa.
IMGP3045__Medium_.JPGJust in case you are wondering where they are….by the time they reach Efogi they will have made it to the HALF WAY POINT:
Copy__2__of_Kokoda_Map__Medium_.jpgMap 2 so you can all follow their progress:
Owen_Stanley_Map__Medium_.jpg
Hi Jim we are all thinking of you and check the site a million times a day to view your progress. Hope you are all doing well and sleeping well each night. Love you lots and miss you heaps Love Kathy, James and Brigitte (and the boys)Update 6:35pm Tuesday 12th June: Have just spoken to WARREN and he wants Lisa to organise…wait for it……$200.00 to be spent on a chisel set for a porter and to bring it up with her!
He then added….your boys are FANTASTIC….today they gave us their 1000 % effort and we have learnt so much from them.
I then read out your message Kathy and asked if there was a reply……he was lost for words so I am still here waiting…..haha I guess he didnt expect a message on the track!
They have reached Efogi and sound ever so grateful for the help our porters have given to them.
But hey, they are not the first, EVERY TREKKER says the same, no matter which boys, no matter which trek, everyone comments about our KTL boys.
They say a company is only as good as their staff, and we have we feel the best on the track.
Photograph: Check out the inside of this traditional hut they will sleep in tonight….and you thought they were doing it tough….just look at those mattresses….and pillows…..they will sleep like babies tonight!
Copy__2__of_10136_Efogi_2_Hilton.jpgHi Daddy…I miss you ! come home…love from Tom
Hi Dad, I had a good time at camp, we went canoeing, absailing which scared the hell out of me , I also went rock climbing and on the giant swing I miss you – see you in PNG love Jack
Hi Harry
well you all seem to be doing ok, according to Gail's updates and thanks for all the orders
I have nothing better to do than sit here and wait for your directions !
and thanks Wazza for getting on the ban-wagon…any of my other little trekkers want to give me a job to do, or more friggin stuff to bring up !
see you all VERY soon Love Lisa
…….Happy Birthday Stu-art-fart-bumhole-face !
hey, Huib, do you want me to tell Mary how to find you ? and Hertzen we sold everything out of the back of your van on the weekend, cause none of you rang Mary before you left on Saturday !Hi Herb
Yep its little old me letting you no that you cant hide from me no matter where you go cause I will always find you. So Boo to you. Been watching you all week. Ha Ha. We all love ya heaps and miss ya. Danny and Bubba gives a big hello and kiss to Will missing him heaps. Hertzen yes we miss you to the booze fridge is near on empty come home soon thats why we had to sell everything in the van. Anyhow you all take care and I will see you when I get up there. Bye x
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