Friday March 12 , 2010

Testimonials

Graham, Michael, Robert and Scott Rosengreen.

grahamWe haven't stopped talking about the Kokoda trek since we arrived home.  We can't thank you enough David for the wonderful experience you gave us.  Your knowledge of the track, the people, and in particular our wonderful military history on the Kokoda track and other battles in PNG is outstanding. 
I couldn't imagine doing the trek and not knowing of the lost battlefields that you filled in for us so professionally.  Our main reason for going to Kokoda was to walk in the footsteps, pay homage and acknowledge the extreme sacrifice of so many young men who willingly gave their lives for us. 
We couldn't have done it without your expertise, and the friendliness and support of the Legends.  Thank you so much,  Graham, Michael, Robert and Scott Rosengreen.









 

Shane Aubrey

shaneI want to thank you (David) for a fantastic trip, your entertainment and knowledge of the battle sites was of the highest professional standard I have encountered for many a year. The trek was without question the hardest and most exciting, thrilling trip I have ever been on and I have been on many deployment etc.

Without a doubt we all have a much higher respect for the diggers who served on the track. What those guys endured we will never fully comprehend. To have a taste of what life must have been like, puts our normal dull life back into perspective and something that will always remain with us.

I am so charged after the trip, I feel that I need to go on another adventure ASAP. David, thank you and your troops, they are all excellent ambassadors for your company and it shows that you have a well trained crew of professionals.

Shane Aubrey, July 2009 
Business Development Manager

   

Sean Teasdale, Australian Air Force

I would firstly like to thank the whole team at Kokoda Historical for making my trip one of the best things that I have done in my life to date. The professionalism shown by the team along the track was amazing and the knowledge of all members is to be commended. Gary was a wealth of knowledge and seemed to just love every minute of the track and the history that went along with that. But easily one of the best things about the track was Gary's relationship with the legends which led in turn to all of us being able to bond with the legends, which by the looks of things many other tour groups missed out on. I would definitely recommend Kokoda Historical to any friends and family that were looking to trek the Kokoda Track.
   

Anthony Fuster

Just wanted to thank and to congratulate Kokoda Historical on the fanastic trip that I had! The organisation was exceptional and our tour guide Gary was superb! His knowledge and passion for the history of track meant that I didn't just leave having walked the track, but left with huge appreciation and awe of those who trekked before in such harsh and treacherous conditions. You know you have a good tour guide on your hand when other tour groups stop to listen in on the background and significance of certain parts of the track!
 
Our group was also fantasic. Being a part of such a small and cohesive unit meant that we were able to bond more closely then we would have been able to had the group been larger. Although Michael was the only one not from ADFA who was in our group, the humour and common appreciation that we shared meant that we gelled quickly!
 
Finally I'd like to thank the Legends! Those young men are fantastic and are a testament to those who walked the track before them. The passion they showed for their job made it that much more enjoyable.

   

Gavin Wright RAAF

What a wonderful trip, the best and hardest thing I have under taken in all of my 40 years. Dave is a wealth of knowledge on the Kokoda war history as well as local history and current Papua issues. His great sense of humour and attitude kept everyone’s spirits high and helped you forget how hard the day’s walk really was. The legends that walked with us were just that “LEGENDS”. ANZAC day was one of the most moving I have ever attended; Isurava Memorial is very spiritual and picturesque at dawn and the perfect location with all of its history to hold a dawn service. ANZAC day is also a very special and memorable to the Papuans. I will be doing the track again and taking two of my sons next time. Thank you very much for the journey Kokoda Historical.

 

Read about Gavin's Kokoda tattoo here!

   

Ken Reid (Vietnam Veteran) & Alyson Parkin - Father / Daughter

"If you want 8 days and nights of the most challenging terrain imaginable, which will test your physical and mental capabilities to the extremes, and if you want a man who will give you his meticulous  military history knowledge, his thorough duty of care and attention to detail (and his quirky sense of humour!!) then David Howell of Kokoda Historical is the tour you need to experience. The added bonus is the magnificent band of LEGENDS led by Kila who will make this the most memorable 8 days of your life"

   

Cpl Jason Powell

"Professional, informative and safe. Crossing the track with Kokoda Historical was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."

   

Cpl John Hill 2/17 RNSWR

"Wow what a ride, the guides were awesome and I am glad we had a chance to see the plane wrecks and Japanese tunnels. The laughter was good for the morale and kept my spirits up when things got tough. Good Work Kokoda Historical."

   

Testimonials

Graham, Michael, Robert and Scott Rosengreen.
We haven't stopped talking about the Kokoda trek since we arrived home.  We can't thank you enough David for the wonderful experience you gave us.  Your knowledge of the track, the people, and in particular our wonderful military history on the Kokoda track and other battles in PNG is outstanding. 
I couldn't imagine doing the trek and not knowing of the lost battlefields that you filled in for us so professionally.  Our main reason for going to Kokoda was to walk in the footsteps, pay homage and acknowledge the extreme sacrifice of so many young men who willingly gave their lives for us. 
We couldn't have done it without your expertise, and the friendliness and support of the Legends.  Thank you so much,  Graham, Michael, Robert and Scott Rosengreen.










 
Shane Aubrey

I want to thank you (David) for a fantastic trip, your entertainment and knowledge of the battle sites was of the highest professional standard I have encountered for many a year. The trek was without question the hardest and most exciting, thrilling trip I have ever been on and I have been on many deployment etc.

Without a doubt we all have a much higher respect for the diggers who served on the track. What those guys endured we will never fully comprehend. To have a taste of what life must have been like, puts our normal dull life back into perspective and something that will always remain with us.

I am so charged after the trip, I feel that I need to go on another adventure ASAP. David, thank you and your troops, they are all excellent ambassadors for your company and it shows that you have a well trained crew of professionals.

Shane Aubrey, July 2009 
Business Development Manager


 
Sean Teasdale, Australian Air Force
I would firstly like to thank the whole team at Kokoda Historical for making my trip one of the best things that I have done in my life to date. The professionalism shown by the team along the track was amazing and the knowledge of all members is to be commended. Gary was a wealth of knowledge and seemed to just love every minute of the track and the history that went along with that. But easily one of the best things about the track was Gary's relationship with the legends which led in turn to all of us being able to bond with the legends, which by the looks of things many other tour groups missed out on. I would definitely recommend Kokoda Historical to any friends and family that were looking to trek the Kokoda Track.

 
Anthony Fuster

Just wanted to thank and to congratulate Kokoda Historical on the fanastic trip that I had! The organisation was exceptional and our tour guide Gary was superb! His knowledge and passion for the history of track meant that I didn't just leave having walked the track, but left with huge appreciation and awe of those who trekked before in such harsh and treacherous conditions. You know you have a good tour guide on your hand when other tour groups stop to listen in on the background and significance of certain parts of the track!
 
Our group was also fantasic. Being a part of such a small and cohesive unit meant that we were able to bond more closely then we would have been able to had the group been larger. Although Michael was the only one not from ADFA who was in our group, the humour and common appreciation that we shared meant that we gelled quickly!
 
Finally I'd like to thank the Legends! Those young men are fantastic and are a testament to those who walked the track before them. The passion they showed for their job made it that much more enjoyable.


 
Gavin Wright RAAF

What a wonderful trip, the best and hardest thing I have under taken in all of my 40 years. Dave is a wealth of knowledge on the Kokoda war history as well as local history and current Papua issues. His great sense of humour and attitude kept everyone’s spirits high and helped you forget how hard the day’s walk really was. The legends that walked with us were just that “LEGENDS”. ANZAC day was one of the most moving I have ever attended; Isurava Memorial is very spiritual and picturesque at dawn and the perfect location with all of its history to hold a dawn service. ANZAC day is also a very special and memorable to the Papuans. I will be doing the track again and taking two of my sons next time. Thank you very much for the journey Kokoda Historical.

 

Read about Gavin's Kokoda tattoo here!


 

Trek Dates


15 April – 27 April 2010:
Ower’s Corner to Kokoda

20 April – 4 May 2010:
Beachheads to Ower’s Corner

26 June – 7 July 2010:
Ower's Corner to Kokoda

27 June - 10 July 2010:
Ower’s Corner to the Beachheads

30 July – 10 August 2010:
Kokoda to Ower's Corner

27 July – 10 August 2010: Beachheads to Ower's Corner

25 August –  5  September 2010: 
Kokoda to Ower's Corner

22 August  – 5 September 2010: Beachheads to Ower's Corner

20 September – 1 October 2010:
Ower’s Corner to Kokoda

20 September – 4 October 2010:
Ower’s Corner to the Beachheads

23 October – 3 November 2010:
Ower’s Corner to Kokoda

23 October – 6 November 2010:
Ower’s Corner to the Beachheads


Newsletter Subscription


Polls

What is the meaning of the name "Kokoda"?