Kokoda 2006
Sunday April 23
Flew to Brisbane and meet with the team at the Quality Inn before dinner at the Breakfast Creek Hotel. Great steak and beers.
Monday April 24 - Day 0
Early flight from Brisbane to Port Moresby on Air Nuigini. Well, actually Alliance Air 'cause the Air Nuigini plane scraped it's tall the night before. Long, long, long queue - over 2 hours - to get a visa at the airport then a transfer to Gateway Hotel right near the airport. Jean, Neil and I then went to Anglicare to meet Domenica regarding StopAids. From there it was a quick tour of Moresby stopping at Ela Beach for Betelnut and a look at Local Island then past some childhood memories including shops were Bron broke her arm, hospital that I visited many times for stitches and needles, my old school - St Josephs, my old house on stilts, church where I had first communion and the unit we first lived in on Boroko Road.
Back to hotel for a quick bag check. More steak and beers then bed.
Tuesday April 25 - Day 1
3:45am wake up to meet bus at 4:00 for trip to Bomana Cemetery for ANZAC Day dawn service. Neil ate the pork the night before and was paying the price for it. Breakfast at the High Commission then back to the hotel. Everyone's getting anxious now. All the build up and now it's final preparations - last shave and shower, check the boots, check the packs, fill the bottles, sort the food.
10:35 climbed on the bus with only what we need for the next 9 days. Short ride to airport and then wait. Minor problem - short 2 seats on the flight to Popendetta so Kathleen and Neil stay behind over night and will catch a small plane straight to Kokoda.
12:55 flight takes off and 30 minutes later we land on a tiny runway. The group of about 30 load onto 2 trucks for a 5 hour ride to Kokoda. Three stops on the way 1) Popendetta Supermarket - fantastic shop with a huge range of stuff at low prices, 2) a bridge with a view, and 3) a washout under repair by a grader.
Arrived at Kokoda after sunset watching fireflies from the back of the truck. Prepared dinner was very nice as was the hut with our personal mossie nets arranged side by side.
Wednesday April 26 - Day 2
Up at 5:00 after interrupted sleep due to Brownie (one of the Real Estate guys) snoring. Neil and Kathleen arrived about 7:00 and left at 9:00. At last we're walking but only a short walk to the memorial at Kokoda.
Now the long walks begin - flat to start with then up to Denaki for lunch around 3:30, great view and some old ordinance. Kathleens pack is broken so it's not easy. Jean and I walk with her as night falls and Rob (a guide - who's not feeling well) joins in with rope and glowsticks. Really tough climb into Isurava camp arriving about 9:30.