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Wallace Lemeki
Age - 30
Number of Treks - 40
Place of Residence: Originally from Milne Bay, but moved to Saga Village in Kokoda.
EXPERIENCE
Worked as a storekeeper for 2 years before joining Kokoda Trekking as a porter; Worked my way up to the position of Guide and now Manager of Orohaven Kokoda Retreat when not walking the Kokoda Trail; I am also in charge of all the logistics of running our treks based in Kokoda.
BRIEF BACKGROUND
WHAT HE SHARES WITH TREKKERS
ABOUT WALLACE
He has good communication skills; is honest; works hard and at all times. Always puts his trekkers and the company before his own needs; a totally loyal and hardworking employee.
Wallace has attended the Lord Somers camp in Melbourne on two occasions. Has been invited to Australia three years in a row to meet with various trekkers. One trekker and his wife last year invited him to travel with them to the Tamworth Music Festival as a way of saying thank you to someone who truly cared about him when he walked the track for his 70th birthday. Against all odds, the trekker made it to Kokoda and accredited the experience and knowledge to Wallace.
All our staff respect Wallace who has a wonderful personality that makes him well liked by anyone who meets him. Many return trekkers ask for Wallace - 'David Currie (3rd year in a row and now booked for a 4th year and has asked me to be the guide AGAIN)'. Married with 1 child and living a happy life.
Tony Ogonemi
Number of Treks - 32
Place of Residence: Ilimo Village, Kokoda
EXPERIENCE
Completed Year 10 at High School. Only been employed with Kokoda Trekking firstly as a porter working his way up to Guide.
BRIEF BACKGROUND
WHAT HE SHARES WITH TREKKERS
Loves showing trekkers about the environment; the quietness it offers and the challenge that awaits them. Tony enjoys meeting trekkers and feels the kind of setting on the Kokoda Trail is just magic. He enjoys interacting with them and showing them a great time. He loves to share stories about his life and he also likes to listen to anything they have to say whilst walking with them. A religious man who always tries to do the right thing.
ABOUT TONY
Excellent communication skills; Tony is an honest guide who always wins the hearts of whoever walks with him. Quietly spoken guy who loves being out on the track with trekkers. Tony's possesses an easy going personality; is well respected by all our staff; makes a good team leader and is someone others go to for advice. Is an honest and loyal employee who always tries his absolute best to ensure you are safe and enjoy your trek with him & his team of dedicated porters.
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EXPERIENCE
Shane has walked the Kokoda Trail 38 times, and has over 20 years experience as a local to PNG having been raised and educated in PNG before moving to Australia for a tertiary education. He also has a current first aid certificate.
BRIEF BACKGROUND
WHAT HE SHARES WITH TREKKERS
A personal porter can be hired to carry your pack. This should be arranged before the trek, as it can be difficult to hire a porter once a trek has commenced. Pack weight for a porter is restricted to a maximum of 15kg.
Highly recommended if you do not fit into the 'super' fit category.
Pictured above is Brendan Buka, the fastest man to run the Kokoda Track in a record setting pace of (16 hours 34 minutes - Ower's Corner to Kokoda). Brendan hold's the record for both dirctions. He is available as a personal porter.
The porters will look after you while you are out on the Kokoda track. They will help you lead the way, light up the fire in the morning before everyone else wakes up, boil some water, cook some food and in general be a good companion to your group.
At night upon reaching your daily target, our guides and porters will again help set up camp, light up some fire, and boil water and prepare food for you. Very helpful when you are exhausted after a long day's walk.
When reaching a village, our guides and porters will also arrange for you to stay at the village guest house, and perhaps arrange for some village food should you like to try some kau-kau or choko or even chicken when available.
Meet our guides and porters in our photo gallery.
