Just arrived back from a fantastic trek that seemed to have everything. Fiona got together 23 of her friends to take on Kokoda which was finishing in time to attend an Anzac day dawn service at Bomana cemetery followed a day of massages and self-indulgences including a trip to a souvenir shopper’s paradise at the once a month Ella Beach craft market and then 2 days at Loloata Island resort for some snorkeling, kayaking and partying. The 23 were split into 2 groups for logistical reasons. Myself guiding 10 and Barry guiding 13. On arrival we enjoyed a short guided tour of Port Moresby before arriving at our upgraded Hotel, The Grand Papuan. Out for dinner that night to Ella Beach and we were tucked away soon after in preparation for our early morning flight to Popondetta.
Day 1
After a 30 minute flight and a quick stop into downtown Popondetta, we experienced an eye opening 2 hour truck ride on the upgraded road from Popondetta to Kokoda. We met our porters, surveyed the Kokoda plateau and finally after all that training we were walking on the Kokoda Track.
Hoi was our destination and after a wash in the river, a good feed under our belt, all 53 Porters surprised Fiona with a Happy Birthday she will never forget. Songs were sung, candles blown out, it was a night to remember!
Day 2
Isurava was our lunchtime destination. Welcome to Kokoda as the trekking quickly got tougher but nothing anywhere near as tough as our soldiers endured some 72 years ago. COURAGE, ENDURANCE, MATESHIP AND SACRIFICE reminded us of the deeds at Isurava. Rain greeted us as we walked into Alola. A quick cold shower and it was Pizza night. Those trekkers that were suffering had dug deep. Two days down, 7 to go!
Day 3
Porridge and damper put a spring in our step and before we knew it we’d seen mountain gun lookouts, weapon pits, Aussie foxholes, walked across strange bridges and had broken the back of the dreaded 3rd day. A hot shower and pasta was our reward and we were rugged up for our chilliest night of the trek.
Day 4
The Easter bunny had made it to Templeton’s. Barry and myself would do anything for our trekkers including wearing bunny ears and a tail while handing out chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday. We didn’t quite pull a rabbit out of a hat, more like a hair from our bum!
We reached the highest point of the track at Mt Bellamy this morning and then went bush to see the Myola lakes famous for the “biscuit bombers” which were so important for our troops. You can’t walk Kokoda without getting wet and boy did it bucket down on us today. We came into Kagi and were greeted by the locals with a beautiful welcome song. It could have been “Singing in the rain” but nonetheless it was just great.
Baby “Fiona” was there to greet us. We had heard so much about this baby named after Fiona from No Roads after Fiona had organised an emergency Helicopter flight some months before that had saved the lives of both Mother and Child. A meeting with Havala, one of the last surviving original Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels was also a highlight and the day was topped off that night by nearly the whole village singing and dancing for us in front of their church. Big day but what a day!
Day 5
Steamy and hot conditions were met as the sun beared down upon us at Efogi 1 and 2. Even hotter as we dragged ourselves up to Brigade Hill to pay our respects for those that lost their lives in this bloodiest of battles.
Then it was 3 hours of downhill as we slumped into Menari. Early night for all as this notorious walk is starting to take its toll.
Day 6
Very early start as today we tackle “The Swamp”. This is the muddiest the track has been for some time and our 1 ½ hour walk through this slosh didn’t disappoint. A quick refresh in the famous Brown River crossing was just the tonic before we hit the 1st of the dreaded 9 false peaks. Peak 7 saw us pull stumps for the day at New Nauru for what was a well-deserved restful afternoon. Those last 2 peaks can wait for the morning.
Day 7
And wait they did. The Maguli Range didn’t let us down although some respite was had when we got our only phone reception and received a quick much needed boost from our folks at home. Headed down to Ofi creek then the monster of a hill hit us head on. Ioribaiwa Ridge. BANG!. A well-earned rest at the top then slush, slush ,slush all the way down to lunch followed by a pleasant 11 creek crossings which finally cleaned the mud from our boots. Wa Ule Creek was going to be our last night on the track. A magnificent swim in the creek followed by all our trekkers giving their best singing performance of their lives. The Porters loved this. The bar had been set high in the singing stakes and the girls came mighty close. It’s sad that this is coming to a close but the toil is taking its toll.
Day 8
The final day we are met by Imita Ridge. You must earn Kokoda and it isn’t giving up without a fight! The final stand of our Aussie soldiers is acknowledged then down the Golden stairs we go. Mud, mud, mud. Finally the call is made. “We are over this mud”. A quick wash in the Goldie river and the end is in sight. A sight we yearned for for days is suddenly not so sort after. We cross through the arches at Owers Corners and we have done it!. As a group, as a team, as friends, as lifelong friends this journey is seared into our bodies, our minds and our hearts.
Well done girls, you deserved this and you experienced everything Kokoda has to offer and more.
To Maddy, Kate, Rachael, Bridie, Sally, Terri, Danielle, Rachel, Amanda and Leica. It was a privilege trekking with you.
Dean Opie
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
Day 1
After a 30 minute flight and a quick stop into downtown Popondetta, we experienced an eye opening 2 hour truck ride on the upgraded road from Popondetta to Kokoda. We met our porters, surveyed the Kokoda plateau and finally after all that training we were walking on the Kokoda Track.
Hoi was our destination and after a wash in the river, a good feed under our belt, all 53 Porters surprised Fiona with a Happy Birthday she will never forget. Songs were sung, candles blown out, it was a night to remember!
Day 2
Isurava was our lunchtime destination. Welcome to Kokoda as the trekking quickly got tougher but nothing anywhere near as tough as our soldiers endured some 72 years ago. COURAGE, ENDURANCE, MATESHIP AND SACRIFICE reminded us of the deeds at Isurava. Rain greeted us as we walked into Alola. A quick cold shower and it was Pizza night. Those trekkers that were suffering had dug deep. Two days down, 7 to go!
Day 3
Porridge and damper put a spring in our step and before we knew it we’d seen mountain gun lookouts, weapon pits, Aussie foxholes, walked across strange bridges and had broken the back of the dreaded 3rd day. A hot shower and pasta was our reward and we were rugged up for our chilliest night of the trek.
Day 4
The Easter bunny had made it to Templeton’s. Barry and myself would do anything for our trekkers including wearing bunny ears and a tail while handing out chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday. We didn’t quite pull a rabbit out of a hat, more like a hair from our bum!
We reached the highest point of the track at Mt Bellamy this morning and then went bush to see the Myola lakes famous for the “biscuit bombers” which were so important for our troops. You can’t walk Kokoda without getting wet and boy did it bucket down on us today. We came into Kagi and were greeted by the locals with a beautiful welcome song. It could have been “Singing in the rain” but nonetheless it was just great.
Baby “Fiona” was there to greet us. We had heard so much about this baby named after Fiona from No Roads after Fiona had organised an emergency Helicopter flight some months before that had saved the lives of both Mother and Child. A meeting with Havala, one of the last surviving original Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels was also a highlight and the day was topped off that night by nearly the whole village singing and dancing for us in front of their church. Big day but what a day!
Day 5
Steamy and hot conditions were met as the sun beared down upon us at Efogi 1 and 2. Even hotter as we dragged ourselves up to Brigade Hill to pay our respects for those that lost their lives in this bloodiest of battles.
Then it was 3 hours of downhill as we slumped into Menari. Early night for all as this notorious walk is starting to take its toll.
Day 6
Very early start as today we tackle “The Swamp”. This is the muddiest the track has been for some time and our 1 ½ hour walk through this slosh didn’t disappoint. A quick refresh in the famous Brown River crossing was just the tonic before we hit the 1st of the dreaded 9 false peaks. Peak 7 saw us pull stumps for the day at New Nauru for what was a well-deserved restful afternoon. Those last 2 peaks can wait for the morning.
Day 7
And wait they did. The Maguli Range didn’t let us down although some respite was had when we got our only phone reception and received a quick much needed boost from our folks at home. Headed down to Ofi creek then the monster of a hill hit us head on. Ioribaiwa Ridge. BANG!. A well-earned rest at the top then slush, slush ,slush all the way down to lunch followed by a pleasant 11 creek crossings which finally cleaned the mud from our boots. Wa Ule Creek was going to be our last night on the track. A magnificent swim in the creek followed by all our trekkers giving their best singing performance of their lives. The Porters loved this. The bar had been set high in the singing stakes and the girls came mighty close. It’s sad that this is coming to a close but the toil is taking its toll.
Day 8
The final day we are met by Imita Ridge. You must earn Kokoda and it isn’t giving up without a fight! The final stand of our Aussie soldiers is acknowledged then down the Golden stairs we go. Mud, mud, mud. Finally the call is made. “We are over this mud”. A quick wash in the Goldie river and the end is in sight. A sight we yearned for for days is suddenly not so sort after. We cross through the arches at Owers Corners and we have done it!. As a group, as a team, as friends, as lifelong friends this journey is seared into our bodies, our minds and our hearts.
Well done girls, you deserved this and you experienced everything Kokoda has to offer and more.
To Maddy, Kate, Rachael, Bridie, Sally, Terri, Danielle, Rachel, Amanda and Leica. It was a privilege trekking with you.
Dean Opie
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]