It's my birthday today! The day I'm always so excited for all year long and when its here, well, it feels like any other day I suppose. Settling in for the night at home now, soaking up my last week here in Newy. I've spent the day coming down from such a huge high I've been on the last 2 wks from my journey in Papua New Guinea. A trip that I don't think I'll ever be able to adequately describe b/c only those 9 other mates who hiked along side me will be the ones who fully understand the impact of this experience; Simo, Jase, JT, Coates, Kez, Bindy, Big Lisa, Little Lisa, and Jackie. All friends associated in various ways, mostly through Uni. The group dynamic was priceless.
We flew into the capital city Port Moresby on July 12th to overnight before starting our trek on the 13th. Was nearly a 2 hr drive from our hotel to Owen's Corner where we started the hike. What was supposed to take 9 days we did in 8 to make sure we got into Kokoda in time to catch the plane back to Moresby. And what I mean by plane is a small 15 seater puddle jumper that uses a grass airstrip.
Each day was quite strenuous, a lot of up and a lot of down. And not just any up and down, STEEP and muddy. To top it off, we all carried our packs weighing around 18-20 kilos (about 40 lbs.). Add some rainshowers here and there to make conditions slippery and you have one hell of a hike. With that said, we had a very fit group. There wasn't a single weak link and we all finished everyday strong and still had enough energy to run around camp and get into whatever shenanigans came up. We woke up every morning at 5:30 and started walking around 7 or a little thereafter. Since we had such a fast paced group, Jeffery our leader wasn't too concerned with getting us going quickly in the morning b/c we always beat time at the end of the day. We usually got into camp around 3-4pm to explore the area and relax.
We walked through many villages that still live quite primitively. Was nice to live the simple life for those days in the jungle bathing in the rivers and streams, eating by the campfire and sleeping in the huts. We camped a few nights in our tents but mostly slept on the hut floors. We brought along school supplies and stickers for the kids that we off loaded in various spots along the way that they were thankful for. The natives were really shy but gladly smiled and waved back after being acknowledged by us. Even our porters took awhile to warm up to us, but once they realized we had a genuine interest in getting to know them they gradually let their guards down. For the 10 of us trekkers we had 14 porters. A trek master, lead guide, two spare personal porters in case needed if someone couldn't carry their pack, and the rest were food porters. Each and everyone of them were incredible in their own way and it was a pleasure for us to walk with them. They were always nearby to help us cross a river or give a helping hand on an especially steep section. They got us hyped each morning before we started out on the trail with what became our signature chants.
Day 2 (I think), pretty steep climb. Always rewarding when you reach top though.
Our camp second night, one of my favorites. We had this whole open grass area to run around and play like the young kids we are.
Sleeping in the huts all cozy-like.
Lunch break up in the mtns. The clouds rolled in and out while eating here.
Lunch consisted of crackers, cheese, peanuts, vegemite, some sort of canned fish, one can of beans, one can of spaghetti, peanut butter, and jelly. Some days we would get ramen noodles, loved those days.
One of the ba-zillion river crossings. Our second day we had 22 alone. We just took our boots off and walked in sandals b/c it was too much effort to keep taking them on and off.
Hydration is KEY! Bindy along side me here; one of the greatest people I've met, great girl she is.
After our longest day of 10 hrs hiking, we got into Efogi way up in the clouds. I'd say the largest village we went through. Group of kids playing footy on their dirt field.
Sim's artistic side, I like it :)
Brigade Hill rest stop, breathtaking view.
Camp on 4th (I think) night. Had the place all to ourselves.
Our trek leader Jeffry on the left and the beloved Graydon master stick carver on right.
Our own angels on the track. Great pic Sim
What trip is complete without the jump shot?
The boys, God love 'em!
War Memorial at Isurava. Four massive granite slabs with the words Courage, Mateship, Sacrifice, and Endurance engraved. Kokoda is just down in the valley, one more day to go. The man playing the bagpipes is from another group, we just happened to be there too and were able to listen in.
Last day, we were pretty anxious to finish as shown here trying to pass another group going down. Gorgeous jungle huh?
The airport in Kokoda. We sat on the cement slab and played cards waiting for our plane.
Leavin' on jet plane...
It's too much to recap everyday, but I will say that one of my highlights was meeting the last living fuzzy wuzzy angel who is 102 yrs old. The fuzzy wuzzy angels, named so by the mothers of Australian soldiers, were the natives of PNG who during WW2 helped pull out wounded Australian diggers (aka soldiers) and get them to safety. They put their own lives at risk by playing a crucial role to keep the Japanese advance at bay. After learning so much about Kokoda since I've found about the hike a few months ago, it was a huge honor to have met him. I'm not the most emotional personal, but I do have to admit when I saw his small, hunched over body adored with medals and bravery pins walk slowly up to our group to meet us, I got a a little choked up. There wasn't many words exchanged due to the language barrier but there was an unspoken energy in the air that we all felt and I think will always remember. I know I will and I'm not even Australian!
This is the village we met the fuzzy wuzzy. One of the few pics I can take credit for. I was pretty slack with photos since 9 others were snapping away.
Group shot with the angel and porter Musta on left.
After returning back to Oz late Wednesday, we reunited in Patonga on the central coast Friday night for my birthday and a Kokoda reunion. Was a wonderful way to spend my birthday at Sim's family beach house. We ate heaps of great food, cruised around in the dinghy, did some cliff jumping, and of course put back a few beers.
It was sad leaving Patonga knowing my Kokoda adventure has come to an end. I've taken away, yet again like I have many times before now, priceless memories and more great friends I meet along the way when traveling.
Cheers
