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Update 21st May
Have not heard from the track today but Tony informed me last night that they were heading to Isurava for the night. Below is a group photograph taken yesterday. Trekkers in this group are: Craig Francis; Sally Fuller; Ian Parker; Richard Jones and Peter Shine
If you are following this trek you can see where it is in real time via our Tracking system.
Tracking System URL : http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/trakka.html?tripid=KTR02-15-012&poi=a5300a5e-b77a-4c74-8c49-f6dbb20db39e
Screen Shot 2015-05-22 at 1.43.43 pm.pngIvan phoned early this morning to say the group had reached Ioribaiwa last night & are heading to Goldie Rover today and should reach Goldie at around 3:00pm! Everyone is good & excited to be finishing their trek.
Ioribaiwa.jpgJust a quick update regarding the Form. Have spoken to The PNG Consulate. If trekkers already have the visa you will not need to re-apply for the Visa from what they have said.
For trekkers who are yet to apply for the Tourist Visa you will need to fill the form in to accompany your Visa Application.
If trekkers have any concerns regarding this please phone the Consulates listed below:
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Brisbane
Consulate-General of Papua New Guinea
Level 3, 344 Queens Street
GPO Box 220
Brisbane 4001
Tel: (07) 3221 7915
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Sydney
Consulate-General of Papua New Guinea
Level 2, Clarence Street
Sydeny NSW 2000
PO Box A2273
Sydney South, NSW 1235
Tel: (02) 9283 9020
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Kind Regards,
Kokoda Trekking
Congratulations to Trek 948 who have now finished walking the Kokoda Track.
Trekkers are now resting up at our "Orohaven Kokoda Retreat".
Trekkers have just completed one of our most popular treks – that has allowed them to take in the most beautiful scenery along the way. They have climbed and descended more than 10,000 meters.
Trek Highlights :
Bomana War Cemetery Visit
Sogeri Monument
Isurava Monument
Kokoda War Museum
Historical Memorials
Fantastic Scenery
Kokoda History
Cultural Experience
Oro Haven Kokoda Retreat
Well done & a big thank you from our Kokoda Trekking Team – you are now part of an elite group of individuals to have experienced the Kokoda Track.
A link to our Trek Tracking Satellite System for Trek 948 : http://www.kokodatra…pid=KTR02-14-02
Archway Kokoda.jpg
KT-Map.jpg
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Aerial View.jpg
Orohaven – Entrance.jpgTrek 924: Trekkers reached Goldie River around 4pm where they will spend the night.
Tomorrow morning they will begin their climb up to Owers' Corner having successfully completed their
walk across the Kokoda Track.
The plan is to pick them up around 7am. They will make their way back to Port Moresby and will be driven into Bomana War Cemetery to pay their respects.
Bomana 8.JPGWe have a story written by Cathy who walked with Kokoda Trekking back in April 2005. "I’m not “Just a Mum”.
"KOKODA, Day 1 April 2005
We were four hours in, the sun was relentless and the humidity was sucking the life out of me. I was soaked in sweat, we were half way up Test Mountain, so called because it was the first real hurdle the Trail threw at you, trekkers were known to have turned around at this point and not carry on.
I looked up, the others were already out of sight. I had fallen behind. I was left with two porters who were trying to take my pack from me. I had insisted on carrying my own, all but two of the other trekkers had paid the extra $400 to have the porter’s carry their load and they were both men.
It wasn’t the money, I wanted to do this on my own I wanted to make it as difficult as possible… maybe punishment for my perceived failing at life. This was my penance and now I was failing miserably again."
To connect with and read more of Cathy's Story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
So many great stories are starting to emerge from our Kokoda Trekkers!
We have a new story written by Chris who walked the track with Kokoda Trekking as part of Trek # 667. Mates!
"Kokoda – it means different things to different people. To me it conjured up thoughts of my Digger grandfather and his mates, fighting a seemingly impossible battle, all in the name of Australia.
My brother-in-law, my best friend, his brother-in-law and his nephew and myself trained for 12 months leading up to the walk. We rode, we ran, we walked with our packs up Castle Hill, Mount Stuart at Townsville and any track and trail we could find for ourselves – knowing all too well that nothing could prepare us for The Kokoda Track."
To read more of Chris's Story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
We have another great & uplifting story written Kylie who walked the track with Kokoda Trekking back in May 2010. Spiritual – "Meeting God"!
I really enjoyed reading this story as it brings out and shows everyone the type porters and guides we have within Kokoda Trekking and what they will do to help trekkers feel safe and sound whilst walking the track.
"Ultimately what inspired me to finish the track was a chance meeting with God – and I am not a religious person…
We thought we knew what to expect. My Sister and I we had done our research so we were pretty sure we were prepared and had what it took to get through one of the most difficult treks on planet earth. As our group numbers dwindled due to casualty, we resolutely put our heads down and concentrated on each step forward.
Our epiphany came mid trek. By this stage our personal wonder at the terrain and circumstances that bought us to be walking the track had been replaced by an internal desperation to make it out in one piece. Tired and tested, we had started to walk mindlessly through the dense jungle simply following our porters. The rain hit us like stones, mud ran down the mountain sides and overhead, the jungle foliage closed in blocking almost all the sunlight. It is hard to imagine how dank it can become – it begins to feel suffocating and deadly."
To read more about Kylie's Story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
Our next story is written by Rebecca who walked the track as part of Trek # 840. Life Altering!
"Easter 2011 my dad passed away, he was depressed and took his own life.
I decided I need to do something to mark his 1 year anniversary but to also get the word out there about depression.
I approached a great friend of mine, Kate Duxbury and suggested doing the Kokoda Track on his anniversary, and without hesitation she said yes.
We started an Everyday Hero’s page to raise money for The Black Dog Institute which helps people with depression. Our aim was $5000 but with the fantastic support of our local CFA, family and friends we were able to raise $7000.
April 2012 we left for Kokoda, a life changing trip.
The trekking company we went with were amazing, and along with fellow trekkers we have made friends for life."
To connect and read more about Rebecca's Story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
http://www.dokokoda.com/life-altering/
Bec & Kate at Isurava Memorial.jpgWe have a fantastic Kokoda story written by Pete who first walked the track with Kokoda Trekking back in April 2005. Life Changing!
"I first did Kokoda back in April 2005. My knowledge of the campaign was very limited. I had 6 weeks training due to my appendix being removed in Jan 2005.
I went over there, my self esteem was low due to a marriage break up. I struggled for 8 days, we walked for 11 – 12 hours but when we got to Isurava and we had half a day at that location.
We all found time to be by ourselves. I recall openly weeping standing at the Bruce Kingsbury monument. We had atrocious weather. We had a days walk to get to the start at Owers Corner as it was that wet and we did 105 kilometres. It changed my life.
To read more about Pete's Story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
Another great father and son story written by Jason who walked the track with his son Joshua as part of Trek #892. Emotional!
"Last Sept my son (15yo) and I walked the Kokoda Trek.
It was the most amazing and difficult thing we had ever done. We were on the trek when we heard about the attack on the black cat trail. After spending the night at Isurava, we awoke early for the dawn service.
To read more about Jason's Story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
The next story we have is by one of our past trekkers Brian who completed the track as part of Trek # 435. Mateship!
Many of you may have seen a few posts made by Brian over the years on our forums and socail media pages. He is a great friend and mate of Kokoda Trekking.
"Testimonial from a young 70 year old!
I had returned home having spent my 70th birthday whilst on the Kokoda trail proving to those many supporters that their faith in me was certainly not unfounded and to those few “knockers” that I and others of my age certainly can.
Questions that have been regularly asked to me since my return are:-
Did you find it hard?
Hard is an understatement I personally found it extremely hard and very difficult at times I rate Kokoda as the hardest walk that I have undertaken in my life.
Would you recommend that others undertake such an adventure?
Yes I would if health is on your side and with a positive attitude. I certainly believe age is not and should not be a barrier, trekkers from as young as 5 years to 81 years old have completed the trail.
Would you use the same operator?
I most certainly would use KTL! Would not even consider any one else as far as I am concerned the KTL team are the best."
To read more about Brian's Story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
Another fantastic story written by our past Trekker Earl who walk the track with Kokoda Trekking back in 2010 as part of Trek #576. A story about reconnecting!
"My name is Earl Snijders, I lived my early childhood in Port Moresby in the late sixties, early seventies. My mother was or is a PNG national born in Samrai. As an adult I have always felt the need to visit PNG, because of my connection. I had been working 100+ hours a week in my restaurant for six years, with just 3days off at Christmas and Easter. I had finally cracked in 2009 and planned a holiday in 2010.
That holiday was to trek the Kokoda track and to see if my mother was still alive. Obviously people thought I was crazy, but for me it was like I was going home."
To connect with and read Earl's Story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
Hi Everyone,
We have a few new stories to share with everyone.
We often have many fathers who walk the track to bond with their children.
We had the pleasure of welcoming Paul and his son Hayden back in 2010 as part of Trek #599. A rewarding experience!
"Thanks so much for such a rewarding experience! It’s funny how much comes back to you when retelling the stories back home in Australia.
One thing that I am sure to do is to spread the word of how wonderful your porters are. Ramsey in particular was an intuitive guide who took care of us on the track by picking the path that would be most suitable, adjusting the pace to how we were travelling and being there to offer words of support and encouragement all the way along."
To continue reading Paul's story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
http://www.dokokoda.com/rewarding-2/
Paul & Hayden Heading_to_Goldie_3.jpgHi Everyone,
We have another great Kokoda story written by Pete who walked with Kokoda Trekking as part of Trek # 855 in 2013. Challenging physically and emotionally!
"Kokoda was an incredible experience. One that every Australian should do. I completed my trek with Kokoda Trekking after extensive research into the trek. The experience was amazing and the relationship between the porters and the trekkers took us back to the Fuzzy Wuzzy support during the war. The walk itself was challenging physically and emotionally."
To continue reading Pete's story please visit the attached link.
Have you shared your Kokoda story?
http://www.dokokoda.com/moving/
