Trekkers Comments

[aussie]

Hi Gail – all safely back home again. After months of planning it's all over so quickly. On behalf of all of us I wanted again to express our thanks for helping us experience this amazing walk. You must be very proud of your team. The "boys from kokoda" who guided us along the way were truly a wonderful bunch and we could not have been in better or safer hands. This was particularly noticeable at some of the creek crossings where a few of our team were noticeably nervous but were walked across the log bridges hand in hand with a porter which really inspired confidence. We had more food than we could ever eat and the fruit and veges picked up along the way were truly delicious. Every day was an adventure in itself and the country we went through was truly beautiful. All of us would happily recommend KTL to any of our friends and I am sure a few of us will probably come back again in the future to experience it all again at a more leisurely pace.

Some of our KTL porters sitting here with trekkers on the way back into Port Moresby:
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[aussie]

Morning Gail – thanks for a great trip and especially thank to Darby my porter. We all arrived back in Brisbane Friday and were surprised it was so cold! Malcolm and I couldn't resist and joined the club to climb Mt Barney (via Logan's Ridge) Sunday – we must be mad. The other guys had the day off. I think you will be seeing us again to do the track the other way some time in the future.

One of our vehicles that got bogged on the way out to drop off these trekkers:
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[aussie]

Hi Gail, Over the weekend my backpack was stolen. The only thing of any value was my Kokoda T shirt.

I also want to say how much we enjoyed our trekking with your company. The track itself was unbelievable but to experience it with Kokoda Trekking was great. I would like to thank you, Nikki George and of course my wonderful porter Frank. You all did so much more than I expected would be done. It is obviously not just a business to you all!

All trekkers probably say the same thing about their porters but Frank is a truly genuine and kind person and without him my trek (and Max’s) would not have been half as special. I would recommend him highly to anyone.

Photograph: Frank, closest to the camera, 1st left. Frank first came to my attention 18 months ago when an American slipped off the trek. Frank apparently reached down and pulled him up pack and all to safety. The American couldnt believe the strength of this guy. On another time when a trekker was doing it real tough, I heard that Frank continually dug steps for him, not just for a few yards, but everyday, day in day out whenever he could see his trekker struggling….but this is Frank, he will always go the extra yard.
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[aussie]

The KTL boys are wonderful. They treated me like one of their own. It was incredibly touching, and will never forget their spirit and comraderie. I hope to return to PNG someday soon to visit.

I think there is a lot of virtue in what you are doing.

[aussie]

the BOYS loved this photo of John hard at work

kit

Photograph: John Derrick Eroro seen here sleeping on a log. John has walked the Kokoda Track over 400 + times – so I guess feels right at home and can sleep anywhere even on a log:
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[aussie]

Thanks again for an amazing trip. There is one thing that touched me so much was the beautiful people and villages along the way, they were so lovely and gave me a different perspective on life here. I wanted to know if there is anything I could do as far as volunteer work is concerned to help the people in the villages? You mentioned school books, do they still need this (im sure they would) what else could I help with?

Thanks again for everything, I have travelled to many places but none so memorable as this trip.
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[aussie]

Gail, this is a rather tardy thank you for a most enjoyable conclusion to what was a great adventure for us. The trek was great, and it was made more complete by the morning you spent with us before we departed for home. I imagine you cannot be so lavish with your time for every trekking party prior to its return home, but for those who are so lucky, it adds an extra dimension to the whole adventure. Thank you also to John for his time in taking us to the airport.

Thank you again for your hospitality. We will be scanning the website later in the year to keep up to date with the 2006 Race. Good Luck.

Regards to John, and our Trekking team

[aussie]

Gail, I had been looking forward to doing the trek for a number of years and after having done it I don't know why I waited so long. I had experiences that I didn't dream I would and although it was tough the good fun and spirits of the boys made it extra special. They truly are a big part of a special event

I know there was talk about some of the small delays etc but I believe that when you put those minor deviations into perspective it just made the experience of PNG more special. I live by timetables, agendas and meetings etc and it was just so good to see people do things in their time, or how sometimes nature dictated when and how it should be done, not be strictly bound by timetables. I guess it just took some people longer to leave their work lives behind and smell the roses along the way.

I noticed that some of the porters, from other Companies didn't seem to interact as well as the KTL boys and they were great to be about, lots of fun and very very helpful. That makes it like you are all old mates. I cannot believe that they were always so happy, I said to one of the people at work yesterday that it was a bit like being in a kindergarten with 30 year olds, they were that excited and happy although they have very little in the way of possessions.

It was very special to me and I know the others in Troop 129A felt the same.
Thanks again,

A special thanks to Rod Ori:

I just wanted to express my thanks to you and the boys for a great time and I wanted to do something for Rodney who was just great to me when I struggled early on through illness. I am presently putting together some tools to help him out (hammer nails, saws etc) and I will post them to you for him. Should be a good surprise for him. He is such a wonderful person.
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[aussie]

Hi Gail, thanks so much to you, John and Nikki for a great week on the trek. I haven't shut up about it, EVERYBODY wants to know more and I got two definants for next year but I think there will be a heap more. It seems us 40 year olds are all looking for a bit of an adventure, (subject to wifely approval of course).

Thanks again Gail… I think you will be seeing me again next year with a group of my own. Dave…
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[aussie]

Dear Gail, a few lines to say how much we all enjoyed our Kokoda experience with "Kokoda Trekking", the organization and support was first class (and you managed to arrange for good weather too!). The porters and guide were outstanding, their wearing of the company shirts an excellent idea …especially such good colours, made them easy to see and stood out well… useful if help was needed in an emergency.

It was very pleasant having time unwinding on Loloato Island, with hindsight we should stayed longer and departed directly from there to the airport (even with a 640am flight). It would be worth passing this "secret" onto other trekkers …as many in our group said they would have liked to do "something" special afterwards.

Now our friends see we are back "alive" with good stories to tell …. we already have 4 girls planning to come next year. You bet we will be recommending they go with you.

Many thanks for a great trip – Terry, Regie, Paul and Graham
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[aussie]

Dear Gail, as you know we all survived and really enjoyed the experience. We also enjoyed the 'boys' support and companionship. The uniforms are also distinctive and add to the professionalism of the Company and the porters. I think they feel pride in the uniforms also, especially when they come across another trekking party.

The way we did the trek, fly in and out on the day we started and the day we completed the trek worked out very well for us, and I would not hesitate to let others know you can do it that way. It does save on a little bit more accomodation (cost).

The presentation at the end at the motel was also very good and allowed everybody to wind down a bit.

Thomas Hango was my porter and he did his job really well, tested me at Kokoda to see if I was stable on my feet etc, so he then knew what he was in for. It freed him up to help with others in the party but he was always there to get the tent pitched first or to get my mattress out first. He was also on hand to tell me about significant sites etc and led the party off to view sites along the way. He indicated that he would really like to be a trek leader. (That is your business, but from what I saw of him I think he could carry out the role successfully.

I hope he runs well in the race. I will be watching for the results. Good luck to all the KTL boys.

Mentioning KTL boys reminds me I keep trying to remember their songs and tunes and for the life of me all I can remember is 'ol macca donal had a farm' I will never sing it the way I previously did. I just continue to hear Polly sing it. A great memory.

The trek has given me many memories and a real sense of achievement.

Hope all continues to go well for KTL and I will have no hesitation in receommmending the company to anybody I speak to about the trek.

Cheers

David
Trek 145

Hi Gail

Chris would like you to know that Polly was incredibly good to him when he was finding the going quite tough. He was a very good porter, attentive and helpful and always there to lend Chris a hand.

The trek seems to have been a great success and it was great to see the photos.

Thanks once again

Morag Thomas
Trek 145
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