On Sunday 17 August Jack Laing (local Bungendore friend and vet) and I left for Port Morseby to begin our trip to Papua New Guinea to walk the Kokoda Trail. We went with Kokoda Spirit, which included guide Sean and twenty-five porters. Many of our group of fourteen walkers had a porter assigned to them to help carry their gear and assit on the trail. Jack and I carried all our own gear which was around 14kg without water. At times we carried up to four litres of water. I can't remember carrying this much water on Austrailian walks but we needed every bit of it here.
The beginning of the Kododa Trail at Owers' Corner. We arrived here by bus after negotiating muddy roads from Port Morseby. Several times we had to get out of the bus as it raced to get up the boggy hills. We did not start walking until 3:00pm which put our schedule way behind.
The beginning of the Kododa Trail at Owers' Corner. We arrived here by bus after negotiating muddy roads from Port Morseby. Several times we had to get out of the bus as it raced to get up the boggy hills. We did not start walking until 3:00pm which put our schedule way behind.
A downpour started as soon as we started walking - so heavy it was horizontal. The rain was torrential. I have never seen rain like it before. It just came down in huge drops - just like a swimming pool through a colander. Within twenty minutes the track was an ankle deep creek. There was water everywhere. The flooded Goldie Creek prevented us from crossing as it rose over two metres and what is usually a thigh deep crossing became a major obstacle. We were literally able to stand on the side of the river and watch large boulders become submerged as the river rose.
River crossings were always fun. This is crossing the Goldie River on the second day a few hundred metres downstream from the normal crossing. The level had dropped overnight but was still too high. The boys literally built a log bridge over the river. In this photo is Ian, the oldest member of the group at 71 years. He had a great attitude and finished the entire trip in good form.
There were many wet river crossings and here is Jack negotiating one. Wet feet became the order of the trip. I think I was the only whitey who wore the same socks, jocks, shirt and shorts for nine days straight.
Jack and I on the trail - I am the tall handsome one on the left.
This is Nauro village. All the villages were very clean and tidy. Because we were behind on our schedule, this turned into a nine hour day of walking with plenty of climbing. The next day was a ten hour day and it certainly was good to get the packs off and the tents up.
World WWII rifle mounted on a post. The end of the third day. Most of the relics looked like this. For us amateurs it was very difficult to determine whether it was an Australian 303 or a Japanese rifle. The helmets were easier to distinguish.
Never leave home without an umbrella - especially in PNG. Only Sean and I had umbrellas and were often envied. Walking in the rain is still hot and humid so an umbrella is a much better option than a rain jacket. Even in the heaviest rain it keeps you quite dry whilst walking in a rain jacket is vile. The umbrella sits over the top of the pack and the chest strap keeps the handle in place leaving both hands free. The track was wide enough that the umbrella never caught on the foliage. It also gives great shade in the sun.
The memorial on Brigade Hill. This had been a long hot day and the camp was still one and a half hours walk from here.
Many villages had museums dedicated to WWII armaments but in very poor condition. All the ammunition was still live which made it an interesting practice to pick up old, corroded grenades with the pin still attached.
This is the village of Efoggi and these children are in the school choir who sang for us. They have lovely melodic voices and sing mainly hymms.
One of many, many children we saw in the villages. Not much happens in the villages so white trekkers are always good to watch.
Another river crossing.
Mud, mud and more mud.
Log bridges were just thrown up in no time by the boys. They were very adept in using local materials to create a stable, useable structure.
WWII shells and casings from the Mountain Gun overlooking Eora Creek. They are all still live and just rusting away. These are 90mm shells. They had two parts, the explosive tip and the charge that propelled them from the gun. These cases had five explosive tips and the long thin tubes you can see are the fuses. Carrying the ammunition for these guns must have been appallingly difficult over the terrain. The Japanese outgunned the Australians during the campaign. From the start the Japanese had two types of mountain guns that could be dismantled for carrying as well as heavy machine guns. The heaviest weapon the Australians carried was the Bren gun. Although the Australians did have access to 25lb Howitzers, they were too cumbersome to move on the track and could not be dismantled. They did drag one up as far as Imita Ridge with great difficulty but the Japanese were in retreat by this time. In expertise of jungle warfare, the Japanese had it all over the Australians.
In one of the Japanese dug-outs.
Sweet potato was a staple on the trip. The food was good - little meat but everything fresh and well cooked. When available our guide would buy food from the villages we pased through to support the local economy.
Papuan mother and daughter. The local people were very generous. You never felt pressured to purchase their products. They were also genuinely happy to have their photos taken.
The whole group at the finish - Kokoda Village - Sean our guide, 25 porters and 14 walkers. A great group. Without exception the trekkers and porters were a great group of people. We were: Jack and I from Bungendore, Ken and Steve from Adelaide, Nikky, Darren, Matt, Graeme, John and Bruce from Melbourne, Sandra from Townsville, Kelly and Karen from Sydney and Ian from the NSW Central Coast. Our guide Sean is from Darwin. The boys came from various villages, many of which were on the track itself. A better group of walkers you could not find - never a complaint, only laughter, smiles, encouragement and friendship. Jack and I could not believe that we were so lucky to walk the Kokoda Trail with such a wonderful group of people.
10 May - two Bungendore teams on the field - the Dragons and the Burnouts.
17 May - against the Evils.
Our first stop was Port Macquarie where we went whale watching and saw quite a number of Humpback whales. It was absolutely magic.
We stayed with Meg, Peter and Matthew who own and run an organic macadamia property outside Alstonville in the far north of NSW. They produce chocolate macadamias to die for but also salted and unsalted non-chocolate macadamias as well as soap and other goodies made from macadamia oil. Their products (Organic Healthy Nut) are found all over Australia.
We then had six days on the Gold Coast and stayed at the Treasure Island Resort which has recently been rated the NRMA's top camping ground in Australia. It was fantastic and the pool was to die for with a wonderful slide for both big and little kids. Allan, Jack and Meg spent hours in the pool. There was also a jumping pillow which Jack was a regular on.
Jack lost his first front tooth.
Jack and Meg in the camper trailer.
You can't visit the Gold Coast without going to the Theme Parks (at least if you have anyone under 15 you can't!!). First stop was Movie World which was a blast. Jack had his first roller-coaster ride and just keep joining the queue and going again .... and again .... and again .... and again.
but you can't go past the Wild West Falls ride on a hot day. This was taken at the top of the drop and you spash down into the water at the bottom of the hill. Great for cooling off and an absolutely blast. Jack and I are enjoying the ride this time (last seat).
Meg with Ayesha giving her a hand.
We went to Australia Zoo which was THE BEST ZOO and had a wonderful time. We saw Terri Irwin feeding crocodiles ....
Meg thought the crocodiles fascinating but only wanted to get near this one. Her nickname now is Croc Bait after a book Jack owns of the same name!
The kangaroos held a lot of attraction and both Meg and Jack patted and fed them. They were in a huge area and had a special section where people were kept out and they could retreat when they had had enough food and pats!
Boonah was our last stay for a couple of days before heading home. We stayed with Di, Simon, Bec and Jessie which was great fun. It was hot and the Equine Influenza epedemic had hit home hard with Boonah being very close to Warwick where it all started. We enjoyed the pool to cool off before storms arrived each afternoon and early evening. Jessie had the right idea in the pool ....