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!!!!"
Tracey Staines, QPS, Queensland
Kokoda Track - June 2009
Our Spirit gave me contact details for other ladies who had trekked with them and these ladies were most helpful and the key reason I chose to trek with Our Spirit
"Meticulous planning on the part of Our Spirit. 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
ANZAC Kokoda Trek - 2009
Trekking the Kokoda Track with Our Spirit has provided me with self belief, an understanding of what the Diggers of 1942 suffered yet achieved and made me accept
"Hi Aidan,
Thank you for the opportunity to trek the Kokoda Track with Our Spirit. Our Spirit's reputation and level of professionalism is second to none. This was obvious whilst walking the Track and witnessing the respect the locals have for you and Our Spirit.
Thank you again for allowing me to trek with the Police Group. What an amazing bunch of individuals and an outstanding group. It was a privilege to be a part of this group and to share an unforgettable experience with people that started out as strangers and finished as friends. Seeing Our Spirit's passion for the Track and his accounts of the events of 1942 left me lost for words and in tears on more than one occasion.
Everything Our Spirit told me before the trek was true!! I was adamant prior to departure that I would not walk any part of the Track after dark. Sure enough my lack of respect was realised and the Track provided me with one evening of darkness and walking in the rain. He had also told me the Track was 70% mental toughness and 30% physical fitness. I can now understand and appreciate that my mental strength and resilience along with one foot after the other was what got me there in the end.
Again, I cannot thank you enough for such an unforgettable experience. Trekking the Kokoda Track with Our Spirit has provided me with self belief, an understanding of what the Diggers of 1942 suffered yet achieved and made me accept what a difference I make in my job working with current serving ADF personnel.
Regards,
Leisa White"
Leisa White, Snr Rehab Consultant, CRS Australia
ANZAC Kokoda Trek - 2009
It is now one week and a day since we got back but my mind and spirit is till up there in PNG, I would bet I’m not the only one feeling that way.
K. Dodd - QLD Police
Kokoda Trek - March 2009
Owen's genuine enthusiasm in detailing the war events created our own "talking book" with each important campaign
A trekker's opinions and feelings about his experience are detailed in the following letter addressed to our Director, Aidan Grimes
Letter from Stephen Bennett
Kokoda Trek - March 2009
Kokoda Women on the March - miss the everyday simplicity of life we had in PNG, the people of the villages, the legends and all the friendships of everyone
Kokoda Women on the March
I am still feeling so overwhelmed by our journey in PNG. It’s a weird feeling to miss your family so much and then when you get home you miss the everyday simplicity of life we had in PNG, the people of the villages, the legends and all the friendships of everyone. Keep looking at the photos and pinching myself.