KOMPLETE KOKODA TESTIMONIALS
"Thanks Soc for an Adventure of a lifetime, trekking from Kokoda to Owers Corner was an experience I will never forget. The history of the area came alive during your talks as you pointed out the actual locations where battles and other events occurred and how they unfolded. You displayed a detailed knowledge of the track, the local people, and the best places to camp. This knowledge and your approach to the trek assured me that I was travelling with a Professional and an expert in his field of operation.
Your ability to speak the local language added flavour to the trip and the responses you received from the Porters and the Local people showed they held you in high esteem which clearly comes from your honest approach and your understanding of their culture and their current circumstances.
To anyone considering undertaking this adventure, I highly recommend Komplete Kokoda, it is a Professional organisation that specialise in small groups that quickly bond together, so you feel as if you are trekking with your mates after the first day."
John Beacham, Gold Coast, Battle for Isurava Tour, August 2008
"My motivation for doing the Kokoda trek was to learn as much as possible about the campaign. Because of his years of living at Kokoda, and being the son of a Kokoda legend, Soc Kienzle probably knows the area, its people and its history better than any other Australian.
He gave us all the facts and figures, but more importantly, through his passion and intimate knowledge, he gave us a deep and very moving insight into the experience of the average Digger who fought along the Kokoda. For anyone who seriously wants to learn about the campaign and its place in our history, you could not do better than go with Soc Kienzle."
Garry Snowden, Ballarat - Battle for Isurava Tour, August 2008
"..... I have had a great adventure! The Kokoda Village welcome was a colourful spectacle and a great tribute to the admiration and respect with which the Kienzle family is held and of course we saw evidence of this in all the villages all along the Trail. Anzac Day (with Komplete Kokoda) was a most moving experience and I felt most honoured to have played a small part in the Dawn Service.
Having someone impart first hand knowledge and experience of the people, the Trail and its history, as far as I am concerned is of paramount importance - and Soc Kienzle did this so capably"
Ted Holtsbaum, Tamworth - Anzac Tour 2008
"Walking the Kokoda Trail in tribute to the Australian soldiers who fought and died there has become a commonplace challenge - albeit a daunting one. To do so with the son of one of its heroes, and one as knowledgeable as Soc and fluent in the local Motu language, was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Jane Grieve, Warwick
" People refer to the Kokoda legend but with Soc as your historian the reality of the legend becomes the truth. His inate ability to communicate the very essence of that which is Kokoda made it an experience I will remember for a lifetime. The story of the Kokoda legend was handed down in detail to Soc by his dad Bert, one of the true legends of the Kokoda campaign. To have the honor and the privilege of being a recipient of this information, some of which is not even known by many of the authors of books on the matter was a truly humbling experience."
Brian Brady, Brisbane
"I and a group of walkers recently had the good fortune to share time with Soc Kienzle walking the Kokoda Trail. My Expereince was enriched by Soc's detailed portrayal of the places and events surrounding the Kokoda campaign based upon his extensive knowledge of the land and its history. He showed us places and told us things that you don't hear or read about in books
..... things that really brought the Trail to life"
Danny Luna, Bass Coast
What a bonus to have met Soc along the Kokoda Track in August. Our group it seems were just walking across the track when Soc invited us to join his group and our experience changed, from focusing on just our fitness level, to the beginning of an emotional journey, intouch with the history and reality of 65 years ago. Soc described the battles, showed us the sites and gladly answered our questions, which enriched our knowledge. Our trek now seemed to have much more historical and emotional purpose. Soc was adamant that the history of the campaign must never be forgotten - it won't. His knowledge and passion for the preservation of the truth will be remembered and passed on by those who have had the privilege to accompany him on his Kokoda trek. Such a wonderful experience.
Stevie and Jack Guilmartin
Soc is the son of Capt Bert Kienzle who was the planter who coordinated the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, the 1000 native porters who carried the supplies for the Australian forces. Soc lived at Kokoda for 37 years, so knows it and the history better than any European alive. One of the interesting things we learned about the guiding companies that are organising treks, is that few are guided by people capable of imparting much knowledge of the history of the Trail. In fact some groups comprise a large number of trekkers (30+) and an even larger number of porters. Inevitably they comprise of people of different fitness and walking capacity, so they string out over a considerable distance. It would be impossible to be continually pointing out significant historical sites to such a group. We realise how lucky we were to be a small group, all fit and able to stay together, absorbing a huge amount of the history as we went.
Thanks to Soc - a rewarding adventure.
Dick Moody, Perth
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