KOKODA SPIRIT NEWS
www.kokodaspirit.com
“In the
footsteps of heroes – In the footsteps of our brothers”
September 5, 2006
Welcome to the latest newsletter from Kokoda Spirit.
Our
21st trek for the year has just returned from a very
successful trek across the Kokoda Track.
It has
been a great trekking season with our trekkers coming
from a great cross section of society including School
groups, Corporate, Sporting, Hiking, Common interest
groups, Family, Father and Son and Individuals.
All our trekkers have different reasons and different
experiences on the trail. We find some do it for the
physical challenge, some for the emotional, spiritual
and cultural experience and some for the war history.
All our trekkers have a powerful experience and most
have had positive life changing experiences. The Kokoda
Track or Trail is an awesome experience “to walk in the
footsteps of heroes”, “to walk in the footsteps of our
brothers” is for some, a once in a lifetime experience.
For others it is just the beginning of many more
adventures across the track. Our group sizes are small
with lots of individuals joining our groups. We find our
trekkers start as individuals but finish as firm friends
with the other trekkers. To walk the Kokoda Track is a
major achievement; and one that you share with a small
selection of fellow adventurers.
It is
hard to describe to your family and friends what the
trail was like, when you finish you are on a massive
high, conquering the Kokoda Track empowers you, nothing
is impossible after your success on the trail, you have
overcome, not only the physical and emotional challenges
but felt the spirit of the diggers who fought and
struggled along the track.
The
consistent and overwhelming feedback we get from our
trekkers is on what an awesome job the Trek Master, Trek
leader and Porters perform. Many of our testimonials
state that our teams were outstanding and could not do
enough for the trekkers. This is not just a job this is
a way of life for our team, they truly care about the
welfare of our trekkers. Michelle and I are justifiably
proud of the boys. We know what a great job our team
does as other trekking companies continue to praise us
on the professionalism of our team. Nothing gives us
greater pleasure to hear our boys say that they work for
the best trekking company; they work for “The Spirit”.
This is what the porters call us along the trail. It is
also very gratifying to hear our trekkers comment on
other trekking companies that they pass along the trail,
I am glad we are with Kokoda Spirit and not them!
The Kokoda Spirit team takes great pride in
providing a professional, safe, organised,
knowledgeable and enjoyable trip. The boys are proud
of their culture and love to share their knowledge
and stories of their life, culture, village and
history of the track.
Channel 7 Program Today Tonight to
Trek with Kokoda Spirit
The Channel 7 program Today Tonight is joining
Kokoda Spirit on the up coming Coca Cola Community
awards Trek in November. This trek will be led by
me, Gideon, Adrian and Frank. The Channel Seven team
will be led by their senior reporter David
Richardson. This trek is a private trek with only my
son Blake, award winner Robyn Sanewski and
Australian Paralympian Skier Michael Milton. Michael
is Australia’s fastest down hill skier, clocking an
amazing speed of 213km down hill, all on one ski!
Michael will be crossing the track on his one leg
and using crutches. I believe this is the first time
this will ever be achieved. For those that have
crossed the track you will realise what a massive
achievement this will be when we finish.
Our 2007 program has been published and the bookings
and interest for next year has been fantastic.
If
you are thinking about the Anzac Treks then I
recommend that you register your interest as soon as
possible as this is the most popular time of year to
trek.
The
Kokoda Track continues to grow in popularity as
Australians realise the immense and heroic actions
our Diggers performed on the Kokoda Track. We
at Kokoda Spirit have taken on a program to educate
Australians and particular the youth of Australia as
to the significant of the Kokoda Track to Australia.
We have a number of School groups trekking with us
next year. I will accompany these groups to assist
in educating them on the history of the track. We
also do pre trek talks to schools and groups which
cover the history of the track and what to expect on
the track when trekking.
We
are also assisting underprivileged kids and troubled
teams to experience the Kokoda Track. We believe the
experience, life skills and education these kids get
from the track will be the foundations for getting
their lives back on track.
We
have recently updated our trekker information
folders to include more information regarding the
track and PNG in general. These folders are sent to
you on confirmation of your booking.
We
have also launched our newest treks to Borneo and
Vietnam. Our Borneo trek covers the Sandakan-Ranau
Death March in Sabah Borneo plus a range of other
tourist activities in this beautiful and fascinating
land. This trek is a little different to Kokoda as
we stay in 5 star resorts and very nice guest houses
on the track. We are also offering a trip to Vietnam
to follow Australia’s war history in Vietnam; this
includes shopping in Saigon, visits to Australia’s
former army base at Nui Dat and the battle site of
Long Tan. There is a wealth of tourist activities
included and we stay in great Hotels. Our treks are
fully catered and accompanied by a local guide and
an Australian guide.
phone/fax 07 5445 2758 or mobile 0437473900
Best
Regards
Wayne and Michelle Wetherall
