A soldier remembers: Jack Manol, 1942
“Oh my god, that walking! The first hour I thought, ‘No, I’ll never do this’. I was exhausted! But I didn’t like to show it, to anyone, particularly to the country blokes, because they were going along all right. At one stage I remember looking at my few mates in the section and they’re yellow skinned and a dirty, scruffy lot and I thought, ‘Christ, there’s no one between us and Moresby, and if the Japanese get through us and get to Moresby, Australia’s gone!'"
My second Fast Kokoda, joined by repeat offender Shane (3rd Kokoda), son-in-law Michael, Dad and daughter combination Brett and Eloise, and Dad and son David and Matthew. A special trip in many ways…….and a huge honour to guide these six remarkable Australians across the Kokoda Track.
After a quick recon to Milne Bay…..stay tuned for an exciting opportunity with No Roads Expeditions in 2020......I met the trekkers at the airport before settling in to the Holiday Inn. A 0800 flight to Kokoda the next day got us on the track by 1030, a great start to a Fast Kokoda. Meeting the PNG team is always a highlight…..the boys were nervous, wondering I’m sure how we would go! Packs on, and away across the flat ground of the tractor track before the first of many hills.
An evacuation at the start of Day 2, always emotional, but with No Roads safety is always our #1 priority. Two full days of rain meant plenty of mud, mud, mud…..testing on the legs, with each day punctuated by some very funny falls. The delivery of school packs into Efogi, and the kids singing, a highlight of day 3. Mist drifting across Brigade Hill during our service was a magical, solemn experience. Swims at the Brown and Goldie wonderful on aching, muddy legs. The emotion of reuniting with our evacuee at Owers, a beautiful moment which will be treasured forever. An amazing group, so passionate about preserving our history, so respectful and generous, fully engaged in the Kokoda experience.
Andrew Flanagan
CAPT Australian Army
Expedition Guide - No Roads Expeditions
andrewf@noroads.com.au
“Oh my god, that walking! The first hour I thought, ‘No, I’ll never do this’. I was exhausted! But I didn’t like to show it, to anyone, particularly to the country blokes, because they were going along all right. At one stage I remember looking at my few mates in the section and they’re yellow skinned and a dirty, scruffy lot and I thought, ‘Christ, there’s no one between us and Moresby, and if the Japanese get through us and get to Moresby, Australia’s gone!'"
My second Fast Kokoda, joined by repeat offender Shane (3rd Kokoda), son-in-law Michael, Dad and daughter combination Brett and Eloise, and Dad and son David and Matthew. A special trip in many ways…….and a huge honour to guide these six remarkable Australians across the Kokoda Track.
After a quick recon to Milne Bay…..stay tuned for an exciting opportunity with No Roads Expeditions in 2020......I met the trekkers at the airport before settling in to the Holiday Inn. A 0800 flight to Kokoda the next day got us on the track by 1030, a great start to a Fast Kokoda. Meeting the PNG team is always a highlight…..the boys were nervous, wondering I’m sure how we would go! Packs on, and away across the flat ground of the tractor track before the first of many hills.
An evacuation at the start of Day 2, always emotional, but with No Roads safety is always our #1 priority. Two full days of rain meant plenty of mud, mud, mud…..testing on the legs, with each day punctuated by some very funny falls. The delivery of school packs into Efogi, and the kids singing, a highlight of day 3. Mist drifting across Brigade Hill during our service was a magical, solemn experience. Swims at the Brown and Goldie wonderful on aching, muddy legs. The emotion of reuniting with our evacuee at Owers, a beautiful moment which will be treasured forever. An amazing group, so passionate about preserving our history, so respectful and generous, fully engaged in the Kokoda experience.
Andrew Flanagan
CAPT Australian Army
Expedition Guide - No Roads Expeditions
andrewf@noroads.com.au
