70 replies to this topic

[Boss Meri]

Hi everyone, we have had a busy couple of days and today was no exception as we welcomed and said goodbye to various different groups.

Trek 840 - Kokoda to Owers' Corner:

This group had an early start this morning along with myself and staff but somehow we all managed to meet at the airport in time for the book in time of 5:15am...yes

Trekkers booked in and before long I was bidding my goodbyes and heading off to check on a food drop into Efogi which also happened today.  Trekkers in this group include:  

• Janet Gartner
• Joanne Nobley
• Caitlin Roach
• Marg Richards
• Rebecca Crick
• Kate Duxbury
• Luis Gachon
• Shane Osborne
• David Currie
• Lorraine Smith
• Graeme Smith
• James Smith
• Brad Lahey
• Michael Lobb

Their guide Wallace Lemeki met them at Giria Popondetta airport and accompanied them up to Orohaven Kokoda Retreat where they are relaxing, have a look around the station and the last I heard delivering some donations to the hospital and local primary school  thanks to David Curry.

When we arrived at Sogeri Lodge later in the morning we were asked how some of the girls woke up as it appears they enjoyed sampling the PNG beer and hospitality of the lodge last night.  Perhaps they stayed up late knowing they would be able to rest at Orohaven today before they commence their walk tomorrow.

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[Boss Meri]

After some of our supplies were delivered down to Sunbird Aviation for their flight into Kokoda today and the half way food for Efogi, we were free to wander our way up the mountain to pick up two different treks that headed out from Owers' Corner in the opposite direction to the previous trek of 14.  The first group to get their photographs taken was trek 859.

Trek 859 - led by Wayne Urina Tihimi:

• Kaya Elkins
• Cameron McDiarmed

These guys were ready and raring to go when we caught up with them this morning.

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[Boss Meri]

While I was busy taking photographs, our staff kept themselves occupied by putting the backpacks on top of our roof for the drive out to Owers' Corner:

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[Boss Meri]

At this point it was come on guys, lets hit the road.  Roderick was off capturing the boys on his video camera load the troopy! Another guy Wayne was looking for his paper work so everyone just relaxed and waited and the boys continued to steal the limelight.

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[Boss Meri]

It was soon time for Trek 790 - Guide Shane Thomas to have their photograph take.  Trekkers this group include:

• David Paynter
• Mark Shield
• Wayne Shield
• Stuart Ellis
• Roderick Simpson

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[Boss Meri]

A quick photograph before we hit the road:

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[Boss Meri]

We stopped at McDonald's Corner as can be seen in the photographs below on the way out to the drop off point of Owers' Corner:

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[Boss Meri]

When we arrived at Owers' Corner there was big group about to head out so there was no mucking round and our boys got moving quickly so we could head down the hill in front of this group.

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[Boss Meri]

We decided as trek 859 was a smaller group that they would be the first off the ranks.  So we gathered the team together and took some photographs:

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[Boss Meri]

Seconds after these photographs were taken, Wayne was briefing his trekkers and they took off down their first descent.  Shane called in from another trek later in the day and said they had not caught up with them so assume they were sitting down in Ua'Ule Creek relaxing waiting for the other trek to arrive. Bye bye Trek 859:

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[Boss Meri]

It was soon time to concentrate on our next group of trekkers led by my son Shane Thomas.  In Shane's group are the following trekkers:

• David Paynter
• Mark Shield
• Wayne Shield
• Stuart Ellis
• Roderick Simpson

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[Boss Meri]

On this trek are two brothers Mark and Wayne Shield so I convinced them to have a photograph taken together:

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[Kerry Bailey-Currie]

To David Currie, Luis Gachon and Shane Osborne,
Good luck. I'm sure you'll all do it on the bit!
Kerry Currie

[Boss Meri]

The boys waited whilst Shane did a briefing with the trekkers before moving off from Owers' Corner:

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[Boss Meri]

It was not long and we were gathering everyone together for group photographs:

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