Wow, Kokoda with No Roads Expeditions - always an adventure to one of the most amazing and unique destinations worldwide!!
Our group of 6 formed a tight bond from the start being like-minded, fun-loving, history-seeking, adventurers who wanted to learn more about this incredible place. The group’s members were:
Brother Simon from Hobart and sister Sophie from Townsville - always looking out for each other along the track - mostly because of genuine care for each other but sometimes to vie for the ‘Best Brother/Sister Award’ which would then be honoured by the best ever Christmas present! Both were a delight to trek with - always cheerful, always ready to help anyone!!
Then there was Simon’s friend, Dave, from The Gold Coast. He wasn’t going to let Simon trek Kokoda without him. Dave was our storyteller - regaling us with the most amazing stories of his very interesting life. Dave was our coffee maker keeping us very happy every morning with a steaming hot cup of perfectly brewed coffee.
The youngest of our group, Peter, from Melbourne had unceasing energy, charging up and down the moúntainsides and still with plenty of energy to play with the children each night. They loved him!! I believe Peter’s world has broadened extensively by visiting this magical place and trekking Kokoda - thanks Pete’s dad for suggesting it to him!
And there was Gavin, from Maroochydore, who has trekked with No Roads Expeditions before to Mera Peak and Island Peak, Nepal previously - and after trekking The Kokoda Track some 16 years ago, wanted to come back again to experience this magic place. Thanks Gav for being such a pivotal part of this group.
Our group of 6 formed a tight bond from the start being like-minded, fun-loving, history-seeking, adventurers who wanted to learn more about this incredible place. The group’s members were:
Brother Simon from Hobart and sister Sophie from Townsville - always looking out for each other along the track - mostly because of genuine care for each other but sometimes to vie for the ‘Best Brother/Sister Award’ which would then be honoured by the best ever Christmas present! Both were a delight to trek with - always cheerful, always ready to help anyone!!
Then there was Simon’s friend, Dave, from The Gold Coast. He wasn’t going to let Simon trek Kokoda without him. Dave was our storyteller - regaling us with the most amazing stories of his very interesting life. Dave was our coffee maker keeping us very happy every morning with a steaming hot cup of perfectly brewed coffee.
The youngest of our group, Peter, from Melbourne had unceasing energy, charging up and down the moúntainsides and still with plenty of energy to play with the children each night. They loved him!! I believe Peter’s world has broadened extensively by visiting this magical place and trekking Kokoda - thanks Pete’s dad for suggesting it to him!
And there was Gavin, from Maroochydore, who has trekked with No Roads Expeditions before to Mera Peak and Island Peak, Nepal previously - and after trekking The Kokoda Track some 16 years ago, wanted to come back again to experience this magic place. Thanks Gav for being such a pivotal part of this group.
Lastly, there was me, a guide with No Roads Expeditions for 3 years and this being my 9th crossing of The Owen Stanleys. Every time I come back to PNG I fall in love with it that bit more. It is a unique place with stunning scenery, diverse cultures and the friendliest people you will ever meet.
Highlights of this trip included:
Kate Johnson
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
Highlights of this trip included:
- Hearing the history of the war: The battles, the heroes, the death, the mateship, the never giving up!
- Seeing remnants of the war along the track and in the new museums: Mortars, Bren guns, comms gear, bullets, helmets etc
- Visiting Kovovo Elementary School to meet with and talk to the teachers, look over the classrooms and present our No Roads Education packs - thanks trekkers for buying these valuable resources for the School;
- The many cultural nights we had with our No Roads guides as they taught us about land ownership, community justice systems, jungle messaging systems, village life, education, farming, how to build traps and how to hunt. How interesting!!
- Being immersed in the stunning, lush jungle with its vast array of huge trees, strangling vines, walking Pandanus, exotic orchids, other flowers of all colours, various shaped nuts and berries;
- Being welcomed by the choir of women and children singing their favourite songs as we entered Kagi;
- Joining our guides and the village at church on The Sabbath and hearing their beautiful voices;
- Developing a close friendship with our group of 6 as well as our local guide team as we were immersed and savoured all that is ‘Kokoda’!
Kate Johnson
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]