Hi Aussie

Thanks so much for all those answers you put up before – i am still keen to give take my bike over the trail on my way to australia (i have now got to hong kong, where i am waiting til 1st september for a yacht ride to the philippines – then island hopping to png via sulawesi – hope to get to popondetta/kokoda around early november)

can i follow up your very helpful answers with a couple more questions please:

1. I would be very grateful if you were able to help me get the permit at the kokoda end (through Russel Eroro)… could you please let me know how much this would cost and how we would organise this (do i need to specify dates for when i will be doing the trail?)

2. it sounds like in many villages it is possible to stay with locals… if that is the case i am very tempted to ditch my tent to cut down on weight… what do you think?

3. It does sound like a guide is a good idea… is it posible to just get locals in each village to take you to the next village (thereby avoiding the need to fly them all the way back at the other end… i am a bit concerned about the trail emptying my budget! – but sounds like it is worth it). Advice/your opinion would be appreciated

4. in return for me giving you PR on my website and in slideshows / media stuff in nz /oz (and as this is self financed expedition raising money for street kids), would you be interested in giving me special rates!!! (hope it is not too cheeky of me to ask!)

many, many thanks Aussie

best wishes

Rob
http://www.cyclinghomefromsiberia.com