Kokoda Trek - July 2009
Dirranbandi ladies relived the spirit of Kokoda... "it is a truly amazing event in Australian history that we should all be proud of and should never forget"
Kokoda Track Journey
Four Dirranbandi women recently relived the spirit ofKokoda during a nine day trek along the historic track. Follow the news article from the Balonne Beacon covering their journey
Kokoda Trek - June 2009
I enjoyed not having to walk 'nose to tail' like other groups we passed. When you're all one after the other, you wouldn't be inclined to stop and 'smell the roses' as much, take photos etc. because you'd feel you were holding the group up
- "Meticulous planning on the part of Our Spirit and Pauk Charles at PNG Travel. Paul was a wealth of info as he had walked the Track with Our Spirit, a huge plus and selling point for me. He had also stayed and dived at Loloata Island.
- Our Spirit gave me contact details for other ladies who had trekked with them and these ladies were most helpful. First hand recommendation is most important to me (anyone can build a fantastic website) and the key reason I chose your company.
- Good and prompt communication on most occasions
- I enjoyed starting the journey up towards the beachheads, giving us a snapshot of more of the country ( and history) than just the track.
- The legends were all, without exception, friendly, helpful and caring.
- I enjoyed not having to walk ‘nose to tail’ like other groups we passed. When you’re all one after the other you wouldn’t be inclined to stop and ‘smell the roses’ as much, take photos etc because you’d feel you were holding the group up.
- Aidan’s motivational praise to keep us moving.
- I loved making camp each night with just ourselves.
- Carrying the medals and learning the story of an old digger made the trek that much more meaningful.
- Visiting Bomana cemetery at the end of the trek, rather than as you were setting out.
- Staying at a hotel that necessitated a drive through downtown Pt Moresby ( as opposed to airport hotels) – again another snapshot of the city we would not have seen if we’d been staying at say the Airways Hotel.
- The ration packs. Very filling and tasty."
Liz Murray, Trilby Station, NSW
Kokoda Trek - June 2009
What started our from a keen interest in and a strong empathy for all of our diggers who served our country, became an extreme personal journey into my own mental and physical strength and self worth.
"What started our from a keen interest in and a strong empathy for all of our diggers who served our country, became an extreme personal journey into my own mental and physical strength and self worth. I cannot express the emotion and awareness that occurred on the track, only that I have grown from it. The realization that we are all only a very small piece in the jigsaw of life, but that combined together can make a huge difference if we want to try. The compassion and respect shown to the memory of our diggers and the acceptance and companionship given to and returned by our guides withiin our group was truly uplifting. In my case it was a fantastic journey to experience with friends, haven't laughed that much for a long time. The raw emtion and mateship experienced by the brothers and fathers and sons in our group was amazing - you should all be proud, as I am, to be Australian!!! Thanks for a great trip everyone!! Aidan, you are a truly passionate and amazing man and I will never forget your accent when talking about the 33rd battalion!! Also a HUGE thanks for not making us wear name tags!!!!"