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Richard recently trekked New Guinea’s gruelling Kokoda Track and rates
it as an experience of a lifetime. His photos tell the story.

After the first day on the track, I was asking myself, for not the first
time, why the hell at age 64, I had agreed to put myself through this.
Well I guess it was my idea, and I had asked a couple of mates, Colin
and Tim, to join me.
My initial interest was
piqued by the fact that my father Geoff served in New Guinea during the
conflict in 1942 as an anti-aircraft gunner. I had also read a couple
of books on the subject. That, coupled with the physical and mental
challenge of trekking through the hot and steamy jungle for ten days,
was the motivation.
I keep reasonably fit,
and trained quite a bit around the farm mainly, and in the gym, to
prepare myself for the trek (or so I thought).
The
big day finally arrived in mid-May, for our departure. Having packed
and repacked a dozen times, my knapsack and daypack - complete with
camping pre-requisites; medical gear; clothing; snacks; etc – were
ready for departure and the adventure that lay ahead.
After
transiting in Brisbane overnight, we arrived at Port Moresby airport
the next morning to meet with our trek leader, Simon - an ex-Australian
Navy Commander - and our trekking companions, for the next 11 days.
There were 12 of us in all.
After a
debriefing and our last decent meal, we set off the next morning. We
flew from Moresby airport to Kokoda airstrip in a small plane where we
met up with our native carriers. Then it was on-with-our-packs and
start walking.
Over the next ten days we
walked over terrain I thought only mountain goats could conquer. Rarely
was there flat ground, nor even a footing. It was never a good idea to
look too far ahead for fear of mental fatigue before a steep climb or
descent, which was equally difficult. Our average daily walk was 8
hours, sometimes 10, with regular rest breaks for lunch and morning and
afternoon snacks. Mostly the rests were at villages along the way. The
native people were always friendly and often would offer fresh fruit
for sale. This was a welcome break from the regular diet of rice and
pasta; our constant daily ration.
On a daily
basis, Simon would divert us to a battlefield and give us a briefing on
what happened there in ’42. We also visited important sights such as
the Isurava and Brigade Hill memorials where we did readings and
conducted services. All very moving. Simon is very knowledgeable on the
subject, and his trekking company – Adventure Kakoda – is highly
recommended.
Looking back on the whole
experience, the highlights for me were just being there on the spot and
getting an understanding of what our young soldiers must have gone
through, in almost impossible conditions, and facing an enemy far more
experienced, better equipped and who out-numbered them 5 to 1. Also,
the feeling of having completed such a physically challenging walk.
I
highly recommend the trip to anyone who feels they could, and would,
like to do it, and I would happily take your call.