The second No Roads/Bendigo Senior Secondary College trip was an absolute cracker, with nine students and two teachers completing the 8 day trek with a two day stay in wonderful Kagi village.
The students set off in the dark early hours of a winter Victorian morning from BSSC, onto the warmth of Port Moresby. The town was buzzing with the Pan Pacific games opening looming. The a students enjoyed visiting the local secondary school in Port Moresby and could not believe the reception they got from the locals. After some of the first songs of many being sung we headed to the compound where the students had the opportunity to meet one of the last Fuzzy Wussy Angels –a truly humbling experience that they would come to remember for a long time.
The students set off in the dark early hours of a winter Victorian morning from BSSC, onto the warmth of Port Moresby. The town was buzzing with the Pan Pacific games opening looming. The a students enjoyed visiting the local secondary school in Port Moresby and could not believe the reception they got from the locals. After some of the first songs of many being sung we headed to the compound where the students had the opportunity to meet one of the last Fuzzy Wussy Angels –a truly humbling experience that they would come to remember for a long time.
The following morning we set off from Port Moresby and after a short flight and ride on the truck with a stopover for coconuts on the way we arrived in Kokoda. A place they had all heard so much about – our students were all nervous of what lay ahead but intrigued by the stories of the fighting that took place.
The track was dry at the beginning and except for 30 minutes of rain heading up to Owers' Corner, it stayed that way. Day two we started some games to get the students and locals knowing each other’s names – including standing in a circle and having to write the name of each group member with your backside. A very funny sight for all indeed!
We arrived to Kagi all in need of a good rest and looking forward to spending some time learning about village life. The hardest part of this was having to say goodbye to all the friends that the students had developed. The two days were spent making pig fences, digging for local foods, visiting the schools and of course playing many many games with all of the locals. We were all amazed at how the local people of Kagi accepted us into their lives and shared so much. Our students were able to gain so much in just two days and have continued to reflect on how special this time was.
The track was dry at the beginning and except for 30 minutes of rain heading up to Owers' Corner, it stayed that way. Day two we started some games to get the students and locals knowing each other’s names – including standing in a circle and having to write the name of each group member with your backside. A very funny sight for all indeed!
We arrived to Kagi all in need of a good rest and looking forward to spending some time learning about village life. The hardest part of this was having to say goodbye to all the friends that the students had developed. The two days were spent making pig fences, digging for local foods, visiting the schools and of course playing many many games with all of the locals. We were all amazed at how the local people of Kagi accepted us into their lives and shared so much. Our students were able to gain so much in just two days and have continued to reflect on how special this time was.
The following four days the students concentrated on completing the trip safely and had a lot of fun along the way. By this stage the name games had worked and the whole group were enjoying a nightly card game of spoons before bed – I am not sure who enjoyed this more the students or porters.
The students rose to the challenge and completed the track with not a word of complaint as they demonstrated that the youth of today can and do show the commitment to a challenge like the diggers that fought on the track before them.
Dan Hurrell
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
The students rose to the challenge and completed the track with not a word of complaint as they demonstrated that the youth of today can and do show the commitment to a challenge like the diggers that fought on the track before them.
Dan Hurrell
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]