Ktl 2 - Our Toyota Dyna, Announcing the arrival at our Kokoda base Orohaven Kokoda Retreat Options

[Boss Meri]

Some of our ex trekkers will be familiar with our people carrier Toyota Dyna commonly referred to by us as KTL2 its radio call sign.

We wish to advise that our truck left Port Moresby last Sunday on a ship destined for Oro Bay. The truck arrived safely along with all its cargo, and yesterday 10th December made its maiden drive up Kokoda to its new home.

Gill Enjeka who looks after our motor vehicles and generators at Orohaven is the driver and the trek champion Brendan Buka has been employed as the crew boy.

Since commencing the construction of Orohaven Kokoda Retreat, a vehicle has been the main problem as our other truck KTL1 has quite a few problems which will cost a lot of money to fix so has been put out to pasture. If we manage to get parts for KTL1, a Mitsubishi Canter it will be used for running around Kokoda only.

Today KTL 2 drove back down to Popondetta to pick up some diesel fuel needed for the generator at Orohaven and along the way picked up local people looking for ways to head down to Popondetta.

If the bridges hold out, the vehicle will be used to ferry our trekkers back and forth from Kokoda to Popondetta allowing us to fly them on a Dash 8 as well as providing a service for Orohaven and residents of Kokoda to Popondetta looking for a seat. As the majority of our treks overnight in Kokoda, it should be quite an adventure enjoying the scenery on the way from Popondetta and seeing how the people in the Oro Province live.

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[Boss Meri]

Orohaven Kokoda Retreat staff were there to welcome KTL 2 yesterday as it drove for the first time into the block. Russell informed me they cooked up some traditional food and enjoyed a meal together to celebrate its safe arrival at Orohaven.

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[Boss Meri]

It will also help to carry stock feed from Popondetta to Kokoda for the chicken project we started at Orohaven to provide protein in the diets of the people who live there.

Photograph: Andrew, his son and the many chickens him and his family attend to every day of the week. Andrew has six children and him and his wife are ever so thankful to have a job. If you could see this guy work, its an inspiration to watch as he truly is a workaholic and is just so proud of the job he does. The family also look after our wallabies; rabbits; layer hens and ducks.

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[Boss Meri]

Having a truck in Kokoda will also enable us to take the chickens to the people as transport is always a problem in the Oro Province with some having to walk hours just to purchase a chicken for their family.

We will have set days where we will drive down as far as Kumusi River to sell thus adding another additional service to the people of Kokoda and surrounding areas.

Another good reason to trek with Kokoda Trekking as we continue to give back to the people we employ along with their families and community. We also own and operate our own fleet of vehicles both ends of the track so you the trekkers needs are met as well.

[Fluppy]

If the bridges hold out, the vehicle will be used to ferry our trekkers back and forth from Kokoda to Popondetta

See, now this is when the use of a 'proper' bridge would be useful and beneficial - although not a 'footbridge' as such, I am sure many people would use their feet upon the bridge

Oh, congratulations on the truck leaving safely with all the cargo (also safely) on board

fluppy

[Boss Meri]

KTL 2 did its first official run to Popondetta from Kokoda today to pick up some diesel fuel and bags of sawdust for the chicken shed.

On arriving back at Orohaven, it was loaded with chickens to head off to Cargil Palm Oil market as its PAY DAY and workers will be looking to purchase some protein.

In the past its always been hard to find and book transport to do this but with KTL2 our problems have been solved, that is unless they prang the truck! What am I saying, think positive Gail !!!

[peterh13]

I remember seeing the other old klunker you had parked up around the chook shed,I thought at the time, "surely not', but the boys assured me it still ran.

[Mrs Moo]

So what's the transport now for trekkers reaching Owers Corner to get back to PM?

Editors Note: This year the truck was hardly used as in the beginning the road to Owers' Corner was so bad that we only used our 4WD's. After it was finally graded, it was the time of year when trekker numbers only warranted smaller vehicles. As a result the majority of work was carried out by our 4WD fleet of vehicles - a Prado; Troopcarrier and Nissan Ute. In 2010 the Kokoda Track Authority have informed us they will commence upgrading the road to Owers' Corner. The majority of other companies hire buses commonly referred to as PMV's to pick and drop off trekkers and porters. Next year we will consider our options based on the number of trekkers who book with us. In the meantime rather than gather dust it is better served by being based at Orohaven.

[Brian]

I would imagine that unless you want to travel to Popondetta to fly back to Moresby the mode of transport from Kokoda itself has not changed.

[peterh13]

There getting saddles made for those rabbits, and you ride them back.It will take a while , but will be an unforgettable experience.

[Lorna]

Rabbits??? - the ONLY animals I saw for my entire trek were chooks and dogs in the villages, cows after Owers Corner... and one tree kangaroo... that shinnied up to my shoulders, drawing blood!! I heard a couple of pigs and of course birds, but didn't actually see them.

It actually surprised me, the lack of wildlife in the jungle. My porter said the local villagers had eaten everything.

Editors Note: Yes, pretty much anything that moves in PNG that resembles protein is killed to be eaten. When you live in the bush you are taught hunting skills very early in life. Thats another reason even small children carry bush knives as its part of their daily living.

[Mrs Moo]

My porter said the local villagers had eaten everything

Glad they aren't cannibals then ...

[peterh13]

I said to our guide Dudley when we stopped for a breather,,,,,,, "Hey Dudley,,when do we get to see the herds of zebra's and elephants, and what about monkeys, I want to see some monkeys." he just stared at me lost for words

All the porters just stopped and looked at me as if I was some kind of idiot,, after about 2 minutes I couldnt keep a straight face anymore and just fell about laughing. The guides all cracked up, it was a very funny moment.

For the rest of the trip a couple of the porters made monkey noises every now and then.

Editors Note: Seeing as the boys from Kokoda still survive to this day on hunting, if you were a smart or even dumb animal, would you come anywhere near these guys? The Koiari's are SDA's (Seventh Day Adventist) and only hunt for wild pig (which they are not supposed to eat) to sell to trekkers and porters. Same with birds, a lot of guides and porters carry with them the old fashioned weapon for shooting them, a fork of a stick with a piece of tyre tube tied to it. I can remember the name but can't recall how to spell it. Peter you may have used one yourself as I know on the farm my brother used to carry one around all the time when we were teenagers. On one trek I was informed by trekkers that a wallaby was seen close by. The boys dropped their packs and were off. They the trekkers were absolutely buggered and the boys ran around until they caught it...tied it to a log...mounted their packs and carried it for another couple of hours till they reached camp to cook it. To the people of PNG, this is protein and sure beats eating a tin of bully beef. In fact around the outskirts of Port Moresby, you see dead wallabies for sale as the locals love to eat them.

[Lorna]

It's a shangai Gail... illegal in NSW, though the little buggers in Bourke etc carry them.... mainly for hurling missiles at cars and trucks!! Not their intended use at all.

Our porters were constantly trying to fool us with animal sounds too, and yes, even young children carried machettes on the track. My boys at that age carried Tonka toys, though they are certainly into hunting now.

[Fluppy]

It's a shangai Gail... Our porters were constantly trying to fool us with animal sounds too, and yes, even young children carried machettes on the track. My boys at that age carried Tonka toys, though they are certainly into hunting now.

Also known as 'real' slingshots. We have them here too and use them with ball bearings when we are out at the rifle range for target practice.

Must be a huge joke among the porters with wildlife as I could've sworn I heard a goat or a sheep on one particular day and spun around to the nearest porter and said, 'Did you hear that? A sheep!' The porter looked at me blankly and I shook my head thinking I must need some more water as I was beginning to hear things. But then I heard it again. And again. It took me a bit before I cottoned on (pardon the pun) that it was the porters making the bleating sounds. I felt quite embarrassed that I fell for it not just once, but three times!!