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Inside this issue:
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Newsletter June 2011
The trekking season is well underway and the Kokoda Spirit team has been busy leading many enthusiastic groups across the Kokoda Track.
It is great to see our trekkers discovering this ruggedly, beautiful country and for them to be personally experiencing the challenges and rewards of tackling the Track. If you have been thinking about walking Kokoda, talk to us now and start planning the trek of a lifetime.
In addition to our Kokoda Track treks we have a unique, exciting challenge on offer for those who want to combine a trek with a bike ride. Yes, you can ride a bike from Sanananda on the North Coast to Kokoda, then on foot across the Track, finishing with a bike ride from Ower's Corner to Port Moresby. Check out the details in this newsletter for our exclusive Coast-to-Coast Challenge.
Wayne Wetherall will also be leading a group in December to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Wayne would love you to join him and guarantees you will never forget this majestic mountain trek . You can also add on the option of an exciting African safari.
Read on for all the news.
Regards
The Kokoda Spirit Team
www.kokodaspirit.com
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coast to coast challenge
bike ride - trek - bike ride
290 KM - 9 DAYS - ACROSS PNG
13 - 22 October, 2011
Cover the entire Kokoda Track on this exclusive, private and challenging adventure.
We cross PNG from Coast to Coast by bike and foot as we complete the entire length of the Kokoda Track from Sanananda to Port Moresby.
The scenery is breathtaking, the people and the culture unforgettable. Kokoda Spirit's Coast to Coast Challenge will be one the greatest adventures and challenges of your life, come and join us! This is an exclusive event.
There are limited places and a high fitness and endurance level is required.
Our Annual Coast to Coast Challenge is the ultimate adventure challenge.
$3,895.00 per person
BOOKING CODE C2C
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blind courage trekkers
You think walking the Kokoda Track is tough, then imagine, if you can, doing it without sight. We are proud of everyone who tackles Kokoda yet we are in awe, time and time again, when people with a disablity take on this challenge.
We are so proud to congratulate the team of 13 Blind Courage trekkers, including Blind/Vision impaired trekkers Jason Bake and Steve Widders who recentely arrived triumphant into Kokoda.
Refusing to let their lack of vision hinder them, the group took up the colossal challenge for a cause that is close to their hearts - Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
These guys are a shining example in not letting a disability prevent them from living a productive life and fulfilling their goals.
The trek was led by Kokoda Spirit Guide Dion "Spida" Taylor, who said, "It was an awesome adventure, these guys were sensational, they are living the dream."
What a magnificent team effort, we salute each of you.
If you want to help these guys with their fundraising check out www.blindcourage.net
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anzac 2012
Interest is high to be a part of ANZAC treks for 2012 with many bookings already being secured. You can attend a Dawn Service along the track at Isurava Memorial or the Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery.
All our Kokoda itineraries and trek dates are designed to cover the major Kokoda battles, our battlesite and daily briefings are insightful and extensive and will take your trek to another dimension. Kokoda will come alive and touch you deeply.
Kokoda is an incredible story of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice.
The only way to try and understand Kokoda and the Kokoda Spirit is to walk Kokoda in the footsteps of heroes.
When you stand at the Isurava or Brigade Hill battlesites, or visit the Bomana War Cemetery, it is an emotional, raw and powerful experience. You can really feel the spirit of these courageous men that fought for our freedom.
Be part of an ANZAC trek during the 70th Anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign.
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Friendship forged on Track
We hear many heart warming comments along the track and from our trekkers when they return home about our fantastic porters and guides. One trekker, Kim Bottle, recently showed her appreciation for her porter, Henry Ubeve, by bringing him to Australia for a holiday. Kim's kindness and the bond she and Henry have formed are shared in this article, courtesy of the Newcastle Herald.
A bond forged on the backbreaking Kokoda track almost a year ago has brought friends Kim Bottle and Henry Ubeve together again.
Mr Ubeve, 39, was Mrs Bottle’s porter when she tackled the track last year and she has never forgotten the gentle and caring nature of the man she soon befriended. “He was just so important when it came to finishing the track,” she said.
“We have kept in touch through letters and SMS but I thought it was a good chance to give Henry an experience he might not otherwise have.”
Mrs Bottle and her husband Greg gave the Port Moresby resident a holiday to the Hunter and he has been enthralled by the region’s beaches and city life but not a fan of the weather.
Mr Ubeve enjoyed his first ride in a car from the airport and his first film at a cinema. The father of two travelled to Sydney last week to scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which he had seen in magazines and newspapers only.
Mr Ubeve met wheelchair athlete Kurt Fearnley in Darby Street Sydney yesterday chatting over coffee.
Henry returned to Papua New Guinea this week to continue his work as a porter and guide. He will no doubt have many exciting experiences to share with his family, friends and other porters and guides.
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Mount Kilimanjaro - December 2011
Mount Kilimanjaro stands 330 kilometres south of the equator, on the northern boundary of Tanzania and is the highest mountain on the African continent. Its location, on an open plain close to the Indian Ocean, and its great size and height strongly influence the climbing conditions.
The Machame Route is a fantastic opportunity to combine mountain skills and experience. It maximises the time and options available for climbing and allows for a more leisurely pace.
The nights are spent camping, and we provide top mountain guides, porters and safari chefs to look after you.
Wayne will be taking a group on this fabulous trek, why not join him between 11th - 17th December for the climb of a lifetime. You can add on the option of a Safari adventure where you will see African animals in their natural environment.
Price is $2,395.00 per person trek only
www.kilimanjarospirit.com.au
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Sandakan death march
The story of the Sandakan Death Marches and the Sandakan POW camp is a tragedy of massive proportions. This is not a pleasant story, but a story of unwavering Australian Spirit and stoic courage and mateship beyond all conceivable human limits.
The POW’s at Sandakan and along the Sandakan Death Marches, experienced continual privation, hard labour, brutality, appalling living conditions and death at the hands of the Japanese. POW’s were bashed by the guards, suffered from starvation and resultant killer diseases and sometimes murder.
Despite appalling conditions at Sandakan and along the Sandakan Death March route, the prisoners never gave up. Their heroism, their determination and their indomitable spirit are testimony to the strength of the human spirit and an inspiration to all.
Of the 2434 prisoners incarcerated at Sandakan, 1787 were Australian. The remaining 641 were British. The six Australians who escaped from the Sandakan Death March were the sole survivors.
After sixty six years, you too can now walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of the Sandakan Death March heroes. Our treks across the Sandakan Death March route faithfully as close as possible follow the original route.
We use a variety of accommodation on our treks including camping next to Rainforest Rivers and staying in traditional Dusun Villages along the way, this gives you a great chance to embrace the traditional culture and mix with the locals and hear firsthand the stories of their forefathers.
www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au
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special treks - local led - Kokoda Trail Motel
We have recently negotiated very special rates for Kokoda Spirit trekkers at the Kokoda Trail Motel. The Kokoda Trail Motel is where the legend begins and the start of your Kokoda Track adventure.
The Kokoda Trail Motel is located in cool natural highlands environment and is only 34 km from Port Moresby along the scenic Sogeri/Rouna Road.
The Motel has a safe and relaxed environment, is situated on the banks of a relaxing stream with grass roofed “haus winds” perfect for relaxing with a cold drink for your 'after' trek celebration.
The rooms are clean comfortable and the Motel has an excellent bar, restaurant, patio and BBQ area.
This is the ideal location for those that wish to avoid the hustle and bustle of Port Moresby and avoid the high cost of accommodation in Port Moresby.
These specially priced treks still have all the inclusions and extras of our other Kokoda Spirit treks, without the high cost of the pre and post accommodation in Port Moresby.
These 8 nights, 9 day PNG Local Led treks follow the track from Owers Corner to Kokoda and are priced at only
*$2295.00 per person.
*Must stay pre and post trek at the Kokoda Trail Motel at Sogeri and is PNG Local Led.
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School leadership challenge programs
Kokoda Spirit is proud to offer a comprehensive range of tailor made School and Youth Adventurous Leadership programs, specialising in Duke of ED and humanitarian and immersion programs.
We have led many school groups across the track . It is a privilege to witness the way the school students learn about what they are capable of and how to work together as a team.
The history and hardship of the Kokoda Campaign becomes a reality for the students as the face the challenge of trekking each day.
A highlight is to also see the enjoyment the students get from interacting with the local communities and it is a lesson in life on how you can survive on very little.
Give Wayne a call or email him to find out more.
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Photo Competion winner - april 2011
Our April photo competition winner is Jeremy Marsden. Below is comment from our judge;
"Jeremy, this is a fantastic photo that will evoke memories for every trekker who has set out in the early morning shrouded in mist. The magic that follows, as trekkers know, is when the mist lifts and reveals the stunning beauty of the jungle and the track."
Thank you Jeremy, you will receive the monthly prize of $100 and be in the running for the yearly prize.
The May and June competition winners will be announced in the July newsletter. For details on how to enter and be in the running for the monthly $100 prize check out our website.
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PO Box 7293 Sippy Downs Qld 4556 Australia
Ph: (617) 5445 2758 Fax: (617) 5456 1649
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