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Hi Folks now 2012 health wise I have been through a lot since my last post a couple of longer hospital stays and now on dialysis but pleased to say I am out, whilst short and slow, walking again and soon will be leading once again some of the shorter and easy Queensland National Parks Association walks.
As much as I would dearly love to go Kokoda again even flying in and out is not possible I feel blessed that I trekked kokoda when I did, ever grateful to both Wallace and Brendan for their effort and encouragement. Whilst I have also driven and camped around this wonderful country disappointingly my health has beat me and I never did get to do the New Zealand treks that were on my bucket list.
What I am trying to say is do not put off doing things today as you never know what is heading your tomorrow.
Hi Gail
I now think that I may have the wrong mobile number for Wallace, used to be able to chat to him when his phone was on, been trying for a few weeks now all in vain. Please when he comes in do let him know.
ThanksBy the way I think you may have one possibly two starters, in a year or two though, after my recent talk
Hi Folks
A Foot Note:-
Just an update, do not put off what you can do today you never know what is around the corner, there is no way today that my health would allow me to even consider trekking Kokoda again.
Last year at 72 we went for a 6 month around Australia camping trip I arrived home to be admitted within 24 hours into the emergency ward of the hospital where I spent the next month. Today I am walking again but 10kms easy walk tires me out.
If you are considering trekking Kokoda do it now do not put it off as I said above you do not know what lies around the corner.
Trekking Kokoda was one of the highlights of my life I will always be greatful to KTL, their guide my good mate Wallace Lemeki and porter Brenden Buka who both went well beyond the call of duty and care to make it all possible for me.
Incidently in the near future I will be on Dialysis we do not intend for this to stop us caravaning, camping and doing shorter easier walks. We were put here to enjoy life and I for one intend to do so just as long as I can.
Trek Kokoda now do not put it off you most certainly will not regret doing so and like me you will never forget it.
Enjoy Life.
Not worth the time of the day sending Mr Gibson an email he is just jealous that he has not trekked Kokoda himself if he is as good as he thinks he is I challenge him to stroll up along the Kokoda Track if he were to do so he will get as emotional as many if not most of us have done when he experiences just a small taste of what our troops had to suffer.
I trekked when I was 70 and experienced 7 days of rain on our 9 day trek it sure was not picnic but if my health would allow I most certainly would do it again.
I have also walked in Lamigton National Park it also is tough in places but nothing compared with Kokoda and after a night perhaps two one was able to return home for a hot shower, change of clothes, cold beer and a good home cooked meal one cannot do that on Kokoda.
If he gets to read this I challenge Mr Gibbson to trek Kokoda and after doing so write another article for the Courier Mail.
I truely think that those porters are still "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels" they sure looked after me and now mates for life.
Luke I do not know you personally but from one who really did it tough I congratulate you for making the effort and then returning to meet up with your mates at the memorial.
Good on you mate
Brian
Photograph: Luke (pictured) sitting in our dining room the night he arrived from Popondetta.
IMGP2096__640x480_.JPGCONGRATULATIONS TO EVERY ONE OF YOU
Wish that I was there to shake each one of you by the hand to congratulate you personally and of course enjoy a beer or two with you, Wallace, Brendan and all the boysCurrently in Kalbarri WA will certainly be having an Emu, local beer, for you later in the afternoon.
Please say Good Day to both Wallace and Brendan for me.
Cannot wait to see your photos and to discuss your expereinces with you.
Brian
Hi Kev and Team
By the time this message gets to you you will be in Kokoda at KTL's Orohaven enjoying a well deserved beer or two with Wallace and the rest of the boys.
Congratulations to each and every one of you.
How was that experience of walking into Kokoda past the hospital knowing that you have made it and completed the challenge?
That moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.
I look forward to hearing of your experiences and seeing your photos on our return to Brisbane in October.
Congrats again
Brian
Not sure who is fiinding it tough but tell them to hang in there and to ask the boys for help they are there waiting I know for the request.
Gail what weather are they having dry I hope?
June I guess you will read this looks like Kev is going well I bet that he is having a real Ball.
We are heading off to Denham tomorrow doubt if we will have Internet access for 3-4 days will be looking forward to some good news when I do.
Gail please pass on my best wishes and good luck to them all next time you are talking to Wallace
Brian
I am sure having walked with them that the girls will give the fellas a run for thier money you never know one may get in first.
As long as they all arrive safely and enjoy the experience that is what really countsHi Kevin and Team
On your way at last I know that with all the dedicated training you have put in that it will now pay off as you are all in for what was for me a life changing expereince.
Do enjoy every minute of it, make new freinds with the boys and take many photos.
Do say good day to my mates Brendan and Wallace who I owe a lot, true angels as far as far I am concerned for without thier help and dedication to the job I well may not have made it.
I am sending this message via the mobile network, 2 months into our current adventure travelling around Australia now in Carnarvon WA where just at this moment it is lightly raining and cold. Do hope that you have a dry trek.
Will check out on you daily as long as we have a connection to the internet.
Enjoy the expereince
Brian
Hi Graham
Prior to Trekking Kokoda we camped at the Caravan Park and I walked Mt Warning to the very top 5 times on five days in a row each time with a 10kgs pack. Whilst walking there is perhaps easier than Kokoda especially on good to reasonable tracks. Providing you do not miss out on the top tough hard 100 meter or so climb it is a good training walk for Kokoda.
I took Wallace Lemeki a KTL Guide up there with me on another occasion. It was quite hot and humid that day we even had some rain and he felt it was in some respects like Kokoda, however, there is nothing on the Kokoda trek equal to that stiff climb at the top.
Go for it as it is good training.
Gail I do not know Wayne personally we like yourself have children now with grandchildren and know just how sad and hurting we would feel if this was to happen to our family.
Please pass on our condolences to Wayne and his family please do let him know that he and the family are in our prayers.
I am sure that I speak for all Kokoda Trekkers past, present and future in this regard.Brian and Maureen Beamish
I am sure that KTL will look after you working with you on the payment give Nathan a phone call at thier Gold Coast Office.
As far as I am aware there are no trekkers going without a guide even PNG nationals who do not live in this area and have come from another all arrange to have a guide often a family member of friend living in the Kokoda area to guide them.
It would in my opinion be utter stupidity to go unguided.
You will have to carry your food all the way from Port Morseby if walking Owers Corner to Kokoda if going the other way, Kokoda to Owers Corner, you will have to take your food with you to Kokoda as you will not buy suitable food for walking there.
Whilst there is no guarantee you may be able to buy some fruit and perhaps vegetables at villages but do not rely on doing so.
I would suggest that you take trekking type food with you from Australia as I know for sure that you will have difficulty finding suitable trekking type food in Moresby.
By the way do NOT go shopping any where in Morseby alone as it is not safe, I am not kidding, personally I would only go with a local preferably two who know their way around there.
KTL I know obtain thier trekking food from a supplier in Australia.
Firstly Don't! Take Food with you for the full trek. Water is available take purification tablets
Permits essential available from the authority.Be prepared to pay for some camping spots as every bit of land along the way is owned by someone.
What happens and it does if you have accident as you may be several hours trek from the nearest village where only very limited if any help exists.
There are no very detailed maps and it would be easy to take the wrong track at some locations.
Do you speak Pigeon? as many you meet along the way may not speak English as you know it.If the rivers are up how are you going to cross them, the boys are experts at this knowing where to and always there to help.
I spoke on the phone, yes they now have mobiles in Kokoda, to my friend there only yesterday afternoon he tells me the Air Strip there is currently closed, may open again soon, so you will need to get to Pomedetta to get a flight out. Trekking companies have this prearranged if you can not get transport you have a very long walk there.
I trekked with KTL making some very good friends amongst the boys looking after us this friendship I treasure so much so that we have had one of those friends stay with us for a couple of weeks since the trek I felt having the boys (porters) was one of the highlights, for me, of the trek.
