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Kokoda Trek Report - June 2019 - Andrew Johnson

​You push yourself and push yourself
You can’t move on. You know you’ve had enough.
But you know, it’s not that much
They sacrificed their lives for the children yet to arrive
And the others just survived.
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And so it was that 10 trekkers hit the road from Popondetta and let the road hit them back, on the way to Kokoda and their very own life changing trek

Tony (excerpts from his poem), and his two lads, David & Robert.  A 73 year old vet who had a few tricks left up his sleeve from that other jungle campaign to show the boys.  And his trusty Maulu, who walked every step of the way within reach and hear ‘OK, I’m OK, It’s OK’ only a thousand times a day!  And he was OK!  I don’t believe he went slips at all (but a dry track helps)

Peter & Emma, siblings from just North of the Murray, with their partners Rhiannon & Chris.  What a team those four are, especially as they guided Peter on his never ending ‘Buggin’ taking photos of every weird and wonderful thing to show the kids.  And when the men found out he grew his own Lamb & Rice on such a massive scale - well they want to go visit there when in Australia next January

Brooke & Kale,  or is it Kyle/Kyall/Kayle/Cale  or just what!  Brooke who impressed so greatly by bringing everything in a 30litre day pack, but did miss the note about toilet paper!  There’s plenty of leaves - just not the nettle though Brooksey!  And Kale, those jail house tatts, something special for the guides to check out, although you reckon it was just a mis-spent youth

And Mick, the bloke with no friends, well apart from me….. who joined me in #29 at short notice when I was thinking he was a recruit for 2020.
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​The eleven Kokoda trekkers bonded together from the start
I felt so proud trekking with my two sons by my side
My wife and family were with me from the start
I held them closely and kept them in my heart
It was never lonely at the back of the track
The eleven Kokoda trekkers made sure of that.
​And away we went!   All the usuals with the following highlights thrown in:
  • Dry track, no rain so great pace and plenty of swims
  • New museum @ Alola and the new Ammo dump find at Ioribaiwa
  • Finding an original 1942 army boot in amazing condition @ Myola
  • Sabbath @ Kagi      Church & kids always a hit :-)
  • Culture talks each night
  • and of course, hot showers and the buffet at the Holiday Inn, along with the recitation of the poem by Tony
​We bowed our heads, we still remember them at the service on the hill
You can, we all can, see a life that was meant to be free
This courageous gift you gave me, your life cut short at twenty-three
Foliage moisture dripping from leaves, falling on us as they fell on the track
So long ago enriching the soil blending those leaves together and forever.
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Yet again, the Track yields up a few of its secrets, adds dramatically to lives, and shows just what Courage, Endurance, Mateship & Sacrifice,  meant and means over the years.

Regards,

Andrew Johnson
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]


Note: Excerpts from Tony’s poem used with permission.
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