Kokoda 2006
Reflections
Let's start with the lighter side of reflections. Most of the Microsoft team had a stick and each stick had a name. Here they are
Martin had Rick, Neil had Simon, David had The Stick, Katrina had Milton, Jean had Jasper II and Andrea had Suzy and Suzy II. Sadly Suzy was washed away never to be seen again on Day 8 crossing creeks.
And then there were the favourite comments most of which come from Little Britain.
"I'm winking at you darling"
"Aa Aa Aaeeee"
"Margaret!"
"Don't want that one"
"Yeah I know"
and Neil with "Whoa hey" and "C'mon Simon"
Anyway, to reflections and what struck me about the experience apart from the great time with all the Microsoft people. Firstly how amazing the terrain is. During the walk I found myself reflecting on how ignorant the Generals of the day were to the contours of this place. How could they possibly have thought that a small team could built a road over this in 2 months.
Sacrifice - so much tragic loss of life for the Australians, the Japanese and more so the Papuans who lost 3 times the men than any other nation.
Memories Revived - to go past the places I lived and visited when I was young was one of those things I've wanted to do for so long.
Charity - Remember Efogi. We had a really nice hut with 3 separate rooms to stay in overnight. Really comfortable. Well that hut belongum Morgan who put his family under a tarp for the night so we could sleep dry in a hut.
Simple pleasures - I gave Morgan some chocolates for his children the next morning as thanks for the hut but ran out of chocolates. I had a tiny single server peanut butter tub and gave that to him for his smallest daughter. She peeled back the lid, stuck her finger in, licked it and a biggest smile formed. She was so happy with something so simple. Makes me wonder - we think we have it so good with all our technology and cities yet they seem so much happier in grass huts, dirt floors, water from a creek and yams.