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John Derick Eroro
Age : 41
Number of Treks : 400 + spanning 25 years
Place of Residence : Kokoda, originally from Gona.
EXPERIENCE
Youth Leader; Scouts Leader; Village Court Magistrate; First Aid Level I - St John's Ambulance
BRIEF BACKGROUND
WHAT HE SHARES WITH TREKKERS
ABOUT JOHN
He started walking in 1980 and has been trekking the Kokoda Trail ever since. Initially he was employed by a company called 'New Guinea Adventures' which was owned by the legendary Clive Baker from Sydney in the position of porter. After several trips, he was promoted to be a senior guide. Clive continued to train John eventually promoting him to 'Trek Leader'.
Clive Baker also recommended him to other tour operators in Australia to employ him as a senior guide. Companies such as 'Rope Pack & Paddle; South Pacific Tours from Australia. He was also recommended to 'Edmond College' who hired him as a guide to walk with them. John also looked after the logistics and other things for them before they arrived in PNG. He has also been employed by local tour companies such as 'Koiari Tours and ourselves, Kokoda Trekking Ltd.
He has a certificate as a tour guide attained by training conducted by the Papua New Guinea Tourism Authority. John was also asked to help the PNG Tourism Authority in running a training workshop for guides and porters and worked as an assistant facillator at the workshop.
His history of the Kokoda Trail spans many years walking in both directions. Due to his vast experience, he knows in advance what tourists expect of him and how to treat them whilst out on the Kokoda Trail. With a background of being born to parents from Gona, he has a fair history and knowledge of this area of PNG as well.
John has a good grasp of English, both written and verbal; is friendly and can always be relied upon to help where needed. He is well respected by porters and people living along the Kokoda Trail. During his years of service to the trekking industry, he has often helped village people with medicine when necessary and has their respect.
John is also a great leader and continues to train young porters and guides as to their responsibilities and chores. He ensures they are comfortable, happy and not overloaded.
He is well respected by village elders both in Kokoda and along the track and amongst our past trekkers.
Wallace Lemeki
Age - 30
Number of Treks - 40
Place of Residence: Originally from Milne Bay, but moved to Saga Village in Kokoda.
EXPERIENCE
Worked as a storekeeper for 2 years before joining Kokoda Trekking as a porter; Worked my way up to the position of Guide and now Manager of Orohaven Kokoda Retreat when not walking the Kokoda Trail; I am also in charge of all the logistics of running our treks based in Kokoda.
BRIEF BACKGROUND
WHAT HE SHARE WITH TREKKERS
ABOUT WALLACE
He has good communication skills; is honest; works hard and at all times. Always puts his trekkers and the company before his own needs; a totally loyal and hardworking employee.
Wallace has attended the Lord Somers camp in Melbourne on two occasions. Has been invited to Australia three years in a row to meet with various trekkers. One trekker and his wife last year invited him to travel with them to the Tamworth Music Festival as a way of saying thank you to someone who truly cared about him when he walked the track for his 70th birthday. Against all odds, the trekker made it to Kokoda and accredited the experience and knowledge to Wallace.
All our staff respect Wallace who has a wonderful personality that makes him well liked by anyone who meets him. Many return trekkers ask for Wallace - 'David Currie (3rd year in a row and now booked for a 4th year and has asked me to be the guide AGAIN)'. Married with 1 child and living a happy life.
Tony Ogonemi
Number of Treks - 32
Place of Residence: Ilimo Village, Kokoda
EXPERIENCE
Completed Year 10 at High School. Only been employed with Kokoda Trekking firstly as a porter working his way up to Guide.
BRIEF BACKGROUND
WHAT HE SHARE WITH TREKKERS
Loves showing trekkers about the environment; the quietness it offers and the challenge that awaits them. Tony enjoys meeting trekkers and feels the kind of setting on the Kokoda Trail is just magic. He enjoys interacting with them and showing them a great time. He loves to share stories about his life and he also likes to listen to anything they have to say whilst walking with them. A religious man who always tries to do the right thing.
ABOUT TONY
Excellent communication skills; Tony is an honest guide who always wins the hearts of whoever walks with him. Quietly spoken guy who loves being out on the track with trekkers. Tony's possesses an easy going personality; is well respected by all our staff; makes a good team leader and is someone others go to for advice. Is an honest and loyal employee who always tries his absolute best to ensure you are safe and enjoy your trek with him & his team of dedicated porters.
A personal porter can be hired to carry your pack. This should be arranged before the trek, as it can be difficult to hire a porter once a trek has commenced. Pack weight for a porter is restricted to a maximum of 15kg.
Highly recommended if you do not fit into the 'super' fit category.
Pictured above is Brendan Buka, the fastest man to run the Kokoda Track in a record setting pace of (16 hours 34 minutes - Ower's Corner to Kokoda). Brendan hold's the record for both dirctions. He is available as a personal porter.
The porters will look after you while you are out on the Kokoda track. They will help you lead the way, light up the fire in the morning before everyone else wakes up, boil some water, cook some food and in general be a good companion to your group.
At night upon reaching your daily target, our guides and porters will again help set up camp, light up some fire, and boil water and prepare food for you. Very helpful when you are exhausted after a long day's walk.
When reaching a village, our guides and porters will also arrange for you to stay at the village guest house, and perhaps arrange for some village food should you like to try some kau-kau or choko or even chicken when available.
Meet our guides and porters in our photo gallery.