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If you are in Port Moresby city right now you may have the chance of spotting the new and 'colourful' Mitsubishi Canter. Surely you wouldn't miss it as it is one of the colourful and beautifully painted running machines around.
Rusty's KTL1 – (Kilo Tango Lima 1) is what is written on its front.
On both sides of the cabin doors is the logo of Kokoda Trekking Limited company. It is the new Mitsubishi Canter – which is soon to offer PMV services from Kokoda, to Bona, Sananada, Gona, Mt Lamington, Mt Victoria, Popendetta and back.
Gava Lakau the man behind the steering wheel, drove the newly painted truck away from its satisfied decorators… into the compound where it got admiring glances from our neighbours and those around – Certainly looks fabulous – just look at the beautiful artwork.
Picture_024.jpgWith its artistically painted rear and sides the canter looks a reflection of its owner – Kokoda Trekking Ltd Managing Director, Mr. Russell Eroro.
Russell was all smiles and although he could not show it – proud of his new addition to his trekking business in Kokoda.
MILES OF SMILES – Yes it is all smiles from the humble proud Owner Russell (Rusty) Eroro standing beside his new truck, with Gava Lakau in the cabin and Jessie Garap (our radio operator and girl friday – back of truck on the left) together with Kenny (hausboi) on top right hand side:
Picture_027.jpgThe PMV truck was purchased by Gail Thomas, trek organiser and associate of Kokoda Trekking Limited, for Russell and the boys in Kokoda as a means of earning an income during the off trekking season of November, December, January and February.
It was Gail's initiative to ensure the people in Kokoda had transport services available as a means of generating income during the times that trekking activities along Kokoda Trail cease.
It will be the first time ever the people of Kokoda will have their own transport service as no-one in the area has ever owned a PMV truck before. Russell cannot wait to venture into his PMV business during his break from trekking.
The soon to be offered PMV service for trekkers and passengers alike from Popondetta and other places will help Russell pay back what he owes to Gail for helping him start this venture as a community service to the people of Kokoda.
It is also a timely break as Russell has trekked twice per month since March and now his staff are saying, put your feet up Russell and spend more time on Management and setting up other business interests. At the time of writing, we presently have five treks on the go and another group heading out this coming Sunday.
The truck has been fitted out with a VHF radio so our trekkers can be in contact with our driver. It also has FM and AM frequencies and a cassette player deck. One of its distinguishing features is its musical air horn – giving it a loud an distinct sound… one that it can be easily identified like none other in the area:.
Picture_029.jpgHere take a look at the back….and…
Picture_033.jpgOn one side – it says Kokoda Trekking Limited with a line below which read "TREK WITH YOUR VERY OWN FUZZY WUZZY ANGEL"….on this side is Extreme Kokoda Trekking Adventure Tours with the names of places in Oro accessible by road.
Picture_035.jpg……another attachment
Picture_038.jpgEditors Note: thank you Alison for the write up on our new PMV – KTL 1. At the time of writing the vehicle is presently in the Auto Clinic workshop having padded seats installed together with a cage for back packs, tinted windows, bull bar & protectors for the windows to stop breakages. Tarpaulins will also be purchased for the sides and will be signwrited before being attached to the vehicle. All going well it should be operational between Kokoda and Popondetta by the end of August, 2004.
The vehicle has been purchased for the following reasons:
- To extend our trekking services to include, Buna-Sananada/Gona region.
- To enable us to offer a SLOW CRAWL to allow anyone, male/female/child/elderly to travel down to Popondetta and travel up to Kokoda….take a days walk up to Isurava if fit enough and walk back to Kokoda. Spend the night in Kokoda and fly back to Port Moresby with Airlines of PNG or drive back down to Popondetta and fly back in to Port Moresby with Air Niugini.
- To allow Russell Eroro (Kokoda Trekking Ltd) to earn an income for him and his staff during the off trekking season from November through to March.
- To stop Russell from having difficulties to travel back into Port Moresby from Kokoda when he has to attend meetings or attend to trekkers needs. On several occasions this year, Russell has been stranded in Kokoda when PMV's have been full and he could not get a ride to Popondetta. THIS WILL NOW NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!!!
- To carry cargo for his tradestore located in his family block in Kokoda.
- To transport our own trekkers/backpacks/cargo etc from the airport on the day they arrive in Kokoda to view the Kokoda Museum/monument area and then onto Russell's block where they will spend the night.
- To provide a PMV service to the people of Kokoda as its been a long time since anyone in Kokoda has owned a truck and up until now they have had to rely totally on services provided by PMV owners operating out of Popondetta.
- To give back to the community of Kokoda for their continued support with staff and help with our trekkers by providing sing sing groups/hospitality shown to our trekkers and much much more!
- To hire out to other trekking companies should they require our services
- To leave a legacy for the people of Kokoda who I have came to know since I started helping Russell commence his trekking company. If this venture is successful, many more will follow.
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