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 The No Roads team has just returned from the Komodo Islands with news of great success. The team, made up of both Australian and Indonesian kayakers, were the first to paddle from Labuan Bajo to Komodo and Rinca Islands. They were met along the way by disbelieving locals who couldn't believe they had paddle so far.
After leaving Flores, the team of 8 paddled across one of the most open parts of the journey, to the magical Kanawa Island. Kanawa has some awesome snorkeling reefs just off the beach, a rickety old jetty and a very tame Timor Deer that will escort you up to one of the small hills that overlooks the Komodo National Park.
From there they paddled to Tatawa and then across to the main island of Komodo. At lunch on the third day, the kayakers lunched on the amazing shores of Pink Beach, considered one of the best beaches in the world.
But this journey is not all about kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, The objective of the expedition was to see the infamous Komodo Dragon, up close.
On the final morning, the kayaking team were awoken by great excitement around camp. Four giant Komodo Dragons had taken a deer down only 60 meters from their hut. Cool!
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ECO-TOILET INSTALLED ON KOKODA TRACK.
 No Roads is proud to announce the installation of the first ever eco-toilet along the Kokoda Track. Along with Big Fish Adventure Racing Team, CEVA Logistics, the KTF and many other sponsors, the Big Fish team installed the first toilet at Kagi village.
The toilet will be considered the best along the Track for many reasons. Not only is it the most environmental, the most comfortable and least smelly, it also has the best view, overlooking Mt Belamy.
The foundation of the toilet was excervated by the Big Fish team and super structure put together by the villagers. The entire project was a real community effort between Australians and PNG Nationals.
Two other eco-toilets have been transported to PNG and it is hoped that another 4 will be installed next year as part of the upcoming No Roads Big Figh Community Expeditions.
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NO ROADS FEATURED ON GETAWAY PROGRAM!
This month, our Luxury Komodo Sailing Expedition was featured on Channel Nine's Getaway program.
The Getaway team spent 5 glorious days aboard our 100ft Phinisi (its like a Pirate ship). The boat is fully equiped with Air Conditioned rooms, private baths, SCUBA facilities as well as awesome sundecks and eating areas.
The Getaway crew SCUBA dived some of the best reefs on the planet. The Komodo National Park is not only famous for the Komodo Dragons but some of the best snorkeling and SCUBA spots imaginable.
If you missed the program just click on the link below to watch it.
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PNG DEFORESTATION WORSE THAN EXPECTED!
 For all of us that have trekked through the jungles of PNG and flown over its vast rainforests, one could rightly imagine that it is untouched by man, a never ending carpet of thick green forest, unaffected by modernity.
Until recently that is what the PNG Government thought too. Satellite photos just released show that the rainforests of PNG are disappearing at an alarming rate. So far nearly 25% has been logged or degraded and by 2021 it is believed that nearly 80% of PNG forests will have be deforested. That's right, 80%.
For a developing nation, selling off of such a precious resource as trees goes against logic. In this emerging age of Carbon Trading, PNG is in an ideal position to continue to benefit from keeping its forests instead of selling off concessions that are often illegally extended, for some quick dollars.
Australia is the largest importer of illegal wood products from PNG and Indonesia. Many of the by products from this logging end up in our hardware stores as decking. Woods such as Merbau are more than likely illegally felled.
If you want to help save these forests, buy only FSC certified or ecotimber wood. Want to know more about what wood is good and how to help click on the link below.
Want to know more about saving our planet's forests? |
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LAND OF THE RISING SUN COMING 2009. 
There really is no where on earth that is either too underdeveloped or too developed for No Roads Expeditions. We can find adventure almost anywhere on the planet. So when you think of Japan, I am sure adventure is furthest from your mind. Sushi, saki and freaky nightclubs come to mind (well maybe not the last one but you know what I mean).
Well, in 2009, No Roads is introducing 3 fantastic expeditions that will take us from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo to remote mountain paths and subtropical seas.
The first 2 expeditions will involve mountain bikes and trekking through the Southern Alps and up Mt Fuji. We will visit Buddhist Monasteries (even get to stay in one), meet real Japanese hikers and immerse ourselves in what Japan was once like, a peasant society.
The third expedition is a sea kayak among the sub tropical islands of Okinawa, the sight of one of the bloodiest WWII battles. But the area has so much more to offer than this. We will immerse ourselves in the local Ryukyu culture and snorkel pristine reefs.
Keep an eye out for the Land of the Rising Sun in 2009. |
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COMPETITION WINNER  Congratulation to Mary Higgens from of all places, Guam who correctly told us that
Komodo Dragons weigh up to 150kg.
Unfortunately the cupboard is bare of goodies to bribe you with this month so we call on your good nature just to look at our website because you love us.
We assure you there will be a competition next month with a prize that borders on being worthwhile to compete for. Until then, happy travels.
Check out our website at www.noroads.com.au. | |
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Guide of the Month
We would like to introduce to you, one of our newest Guides, Hadyn Hewitt. Don't let his full time job as an Accountant fool you. He is an extreme adventurer having been the first person to walk the Kokoda Track in blue okanuis. Oh, he also spent 6 years with 2 Commando Company (Special Forces), parachuted over the South China Sea and some other pretty dull stuff. Hadyn will be taking expeditions across the Kokoda Track in 2008.
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Rinjani Circumnavigation 2009.
 In yet another first, No Roads will be running the first ever circumnavigation of the volcanic rim of Gunung Rinjani. The rim is approximately 50 km around with many unscaled summits. The entire expedition will travel along this rim providing views of not only the spectacular lake and, Rinjani summit (which we will climb) and the new volcano growing from the lake, but it will also give us a chance to see all of Lombok from over 2500m.
The team will be led by 2 experienced rock climbers who will ensure all roping and climbing is done in a safe manner. No experience is required as we will conduct a short ropes training course prior to the expedition.
Coming Soon! |
Kokoda
Charity
Night November 14th.
We are putting the finishing touches on our 2008 Kokoda Charity Night.
What we can tell you is:
When : November 14th (Friday)
Where : Brighton Savoy, Melbourne.
This year we will have several special guests including 10 Porters from Kagi who will sing live for us and the duet Dean and Curruthers, who will entertain us for the rest of the night.
Please keep your diaries free for this fantastic night of fund raising and fun.
We'll keep you posted. | |
