Port Moresby To Home

Day 15

Had a good sleep today but woke up at 6:00 for breakfast with Freddy and David as they were catching an earlier flight to Cairns. We then packed the bag for the last time and headed to the airport.  We said goodbye to Penny and Jim and they were staying one more day.  We made our way through customs and into the waiting line ready for the flight home.

Made it to Brisbane without any issue and I made it through customs without any drama. Waiting on the other side was Nicole, which was a massive surprise. She was meant to be at the school with the kids but had organised for people to look after them at the festival so she could surprise me, and it worked.  It turned into a movie scene where I dropped my bags and we both ran to each other :D  It was very special!  We had both missed each other a lot! Mum and Dad and Shoshana came out to meet us as well.  It was nice to have a welcome home from the family. It made me feel missed and very happy to be home.  Mum and Dad stayed to chat with Steve for a while and Pete was staying to with Mum and Dad for the night.  So I said goodbye to Steve and would see Pete in the morning.  Then headed to the festival to see the kids!  Marcus and Amelia ran at me and both gave me the biggest cuddles, it was nice.  Last to say welcome home was Harrison as he was playing on the rides with his friends, but gave me a big squeeze and was glad to see me.

I had finally finished the venture. It was amazing trip, full of amazing stories and something that I had been planning for so long.  I really enjoyed it, more than I thought I would.  All of the research had paid off as Kokoda Historical had all the history information we had hoped for.  On a bonus, David was a great fit for all of us and the team bonded from the first night. The other trekkers made the trip what it was as it just worked so well. Best Team Ever. What I was not expecting was the interesting things we got to see with PNG and the amazing local people,  so friendly and happy to have a chat.  I had never seen a country so poor and the landscape reflected that, but you would not know it when speaking to them.  The kids were all happy and eager to play games.

Lastly to have the experience with my brothers and my mate, made this one that will go down in the history books itself.  I will never forget this opportunity Nicole and the kids have given me.  What a way to remember your 40th birthday!!!!!AMAZING

Sanananda to Port Moresby

Day 14

Woke up at 6am again for a coffee with Steve.  Nothing todo today except waiting around.  Had breakfast and then packed the bag.  We then had to wait around till 10:30 for the boat back to Gona.   We then had to get back onto the truck for a bumpy ride back to Popondetta.


At Popendett we had lunch at the Uncomfort Inn.  We had Pizza and a few beers.  It was a great little stop for a wind down and bonding session with the group.  Popendetta it self is like nothing I have ever seen before.  The move "Black Hawk Down" is as close as I could describe it.

We had to wait at the Popendetta airport for 2 hours as you have to get there early or the sell your tickets.  Arriving in Port Moresby we got back onto the bus and headed to the lodge.  When back at the lodge we got our rooms and had a few drinks and had some dinner.  It was a real treat as we had a table, cutlery, napkins and chairs with backs on them!!!

Sanananda Day 2

Day 13

Everyone was slow to wake today  Must be getting ready for back to normal life. I however was up at about 5:45.  The sunrise was blocked by the clouds again, but it was still nice.  After a while we had a nice breakfast and a walking tour around Sanananda form the elder that told the stories last night.  We visited the location of the actual landings and the guest house is on "new" land that was formed after a volcano erupted in the 50's.

On our tour we visited another school.  The Kokoda track authority had helped build this one.  Some of the money from each of the medals that David had presented us goes to the authority.  At the school David was reading them a story and decided to turn it into a play.  He asked for volunteers and I put my had up to help the kids out.  It was great being involved and I think the kids thought it was funny.

After a few more spots we came to a collection of Japanese things. I was able to buy a Japanese water bottle!  Pretty cool bit of memorabilia.

After lunch Allan and I went for a run up the beach and then a swim.  It felt good to be active again.  Little did I know we were going to be walking that afternoon as well.

We headed out for a walk down the path that the Americans had built.   It was made of rocks.  This made it pretty hard to walk on and slow going.  We saw a Japanese field hospital on the walk, which was pretty interesting, including lots of things we have not seen before, including dentures.  Jim is a dentist in real life, so  bet he found this very interesting.  We also cut into the bush toward Huggins Road Block, but we did not make it there as the forest was pretty thick.

Eventually making it back to camp we had a swim to cool off and then a great dinner of fried rice, fresh veggies and a curry dish.  It tasted so good and we all had heaps.  After dinner we had "SingSing" which was a band playing music and some ladies dancing.  It was a very good and we even got up for a dance as a group in the 3rd song.  A little girl came over and asked if I would dance with her, which I of course accepted.  Freddy and Allan were left to dance together.  The elder said I danced very well :D  I later found out that usually only the ladies dance.  Since we got up, we opened the flood gates.  I think I was asked to dance about 7 times and dancing in the sand is rough on the legs.  The entire village was out watching us.

Tomorrow we head back to the lodge and then onto home.  So looking forward to hearing your voice and giving out some big big hugs!

Sananada Day 1

Day 12

Later wake up this morning, however I did get up about 5 to look at the sunrise but it was cloudy so I went back to bed.

For breakfast Gybe made French toast, toast, muesli and a big pancake.  It was fantastic!  After a slow morning we go back into the boat and headed up to Buna. It only took 20 min and it was much smoother.  We arrived at Buna and learnt that a lot of fighting took place here.  We arrived right where the Japanese had. We walked through the town looking at war memorabilia.  The garden beds around the town were made from Bren gun holders they used during the war.  In one persons garden they had everything from drink bottles to ammo, road building parts and grenades.  I learnt that these people charge 5 Kina for us to come in and have a look around.  Good little business they have going .

We walked a little more and we found a mountain gun and engine from a bomber.  We also came across some bunkers that the Japanese had built when they were digging in trying to stop being pushed further back to the beach.  They had a lot of time to build them and they were pretty amazing to see how they dig them into the ground to hide them. Everything would grow over the top and it would be hard to spot them.  They built them in a 5 bunker system where they could look after each other.  Made it near impossible to get them out of them and move them on.  A lot of men died here cause they were trying to finish the war and trying to do that as fast as they could, without taking all the time needed to clear the bunker systems.

On the way back to the beach we stopped at a school and went inside.  They were teaching grade 3.  The kids all said good morning and we all introduced ourselves.  It was a very nice experience and I know Peter would have loved it.

We only had one more thing to see and it was the mountain gun.  David also told us about how the area was during the way.  Dead and dying men everywhere, mud, mossie.  166 lives were lost in the section of the campaign, not to mention all the local people caught up in the war.

Newman had a big chat to Allan and I about how the village was affected and how there was only 1 person in the entire village that spoke English.  The stories had been passed down form his father and his family.

Then it was time for another swim, except this time the village kids joined us.  It was a pretty fun time and was good bonding with the local kids.  I learnt that kids love the same type of games the world over.  This was fun, but also a little sad at the same time wishing my own kids were here to enjoy it as well.

I got another message of congratulations on finishing the track.  I was very teary when trying to read it out to everyone.

We got served another amazing dinner from Gybe.  Fried rice, pizza and chicken curry.  He did a great job.  So much better than dried noodles  :D

After dinner we had a talk from an elder of the village about the war and how it effected the local people.  It was a good story, he told it well and a good way of hearing it.

Not long now!

Kokoda to Sanananda

Day 11

Woke up not so early, maybe 6:30 and was a little slower after celebrations last night.  Maybe a little too much celebration some might say, but we had come a long way and it was worth it.

We had a quick breakfast of donuts and bread before loading into a "truck" to head down to the Kokoda Plateau.  There were a few memorials here.  One for the Aussies,  one for the Japanese and one for the PNG people.  There was also a museum as well which had some photos, stories and some general war memorabilia. It was a small place, but the things inside were nice.  David told us about Templeton and the first contact the Australians had with the Japanese.  He also talked about a few guys who fought in Gallipoli and all wars right through to WWII Kokoda.  There were some tough looking solders.

We then jumped back into the truck and headed toward Popondetta.  This took over 3 hours on a very bumpy as dusty "road". We stopped at the markets to pick up supplies for our next part of the trek and we all went in for a look around.  I bought a new shirt as I gave "Name Sake" my Broncos sleeping shirt this morning as a parting gift for him.  He was really surprised and very happy about getting it.  I would have liked to get a photo of him wearing it, but missed that opportunity.

David bought us a pie from the shops for lunch and to lift our spirits, and it worked.  It was the best pie I have ever eaten. (It should be noted, I would have said that about anything other than noodles at this point)  We said goodbye to Allan(Robbo) and Tip as they were heading home from here and not continuing onto the beach.  They wished they were though.

We finally made the beach ready for our short boat ride only to see the boat we were going on was tiny! The sea was a little choppy and wind was a bit up.  I knew we were going to get wet.   On the way over Pete and I got really wet, Peter more than me.  I have a video of it, and it shows just how wet were getting.  But that did not stop Pete from smiling ear to ear.  He was loving it.

We made a landing at Sanananda and were welcomed by some local dancers who were all dressed up in tribal attire.  We were given a lay and a fresh coconut to drink.  They really wanted us to feel welcomed and that we were going to have a good experience. The coconut was so fresh and was really nice to drink, so refreshing.

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and easing into beach life, which included a swim in the ocean.  It was quiet warm, but that was fine.  We were then treated to a feast of fresh food cooked by Gybe form the Green Machine.  It was so good!

We are staying in a hut, with rooms in it for each of us.  There is a mattress and a mossie net already placed out for us. It is going to be great sleeping so close to the ocean.

Missing home a lot now and wishing you guys where here with us.  I know you would like this part of the adventure.

Isurava to Kokoda

Day 10

Today is the day we finish the track part of the tour......I can not believe I am saying that already. It has been hard work, but so much fun and it has gone so quickly!

Morning started like all the others while here.  Wake up, pack bag, put wet clothes on and go to the toilet :)  After breakfast we headed down to the memorial for some stories about Isurava and Kingsbury rock.  This is the spot we heard he used the tommy gun to clear the way.  We had a service with all of us and the green machine.  Steve also read out the names of all the fallen.  Like the other service it became very emotional and lots of thought were running around in my head.

We then headed out for Deniki.  It was a 4 hour walk until lunch, but it was not too hard work.  My mind was always thinking about us making Kokoda today.  At Deniki we were told more about first meeting of the Japanese and about how they walked the entire track, just to loose their lives there.  Steve read the names and it was heavy.

All that was left was to walk to Kokoda

AND WE DID!!!!!




What an amazing feeling.  We made it.  It felt so good crossing the line all together and to achieve a goal I have been thinking about for more then a year. And I got to do it with my mate and my 2 bothers!  Who would have thought.

After a few beers and dinner, Dave made a presentation to giving us a medal and certificate. In front of everyone he thanks me for choosing Kokoda Historical. He then thanked me for brining my brothers with me and entrusting him with the job of guiding us all.

Allan and I both agree - PAID OFF!!!!

Eora Creek to Isurava

Day 9

Had a bit of a sleep in this morning, did not get up till well after 6...almost 6:30am.  Was a cold night, even had to put my jumper on.  Being warm made for a good sleep. Allan woke up feeling completely better, which is good for him. Peter is still sounding like he has a cold.

A short walk down and up a ridge where we got to the Japanese position of a mountain gun that had clear firing down onto Eora Creek.  This is what made it so hard to cross at Templetons Crossing.  Dave told us about the Menusu brothers.  Where 2 brothers we killed in action and a 3rd was pulled out of the line of fire so their mother did not have to loose all her children in the one war.  The way Dave told it and the details about the brothers really got to me.  He said he did not tell the story cause we were brothers  but he thought it would have great meaning and understanding to us.  Steven remarked that one generation difference and it could have been us.  That poor family and it was just one story of hundreds like it.

We continued on with more of the same, short hard walking until we reached a spot for "morno's".  Army term for morning tea, which I love using.  Here we were able to buy twisties and a soft drink, which I splashed out for.  It was a cute village and some really cute kids.

More short hard walking until we got to Con's Rock.  Big story about Con's rock which dave retold while we were all sitting around it.  There was also a plark there for Bisset.

We were now not far from Isurava.  When walking into it I was just overtaken with emotion.  The place is beautiful, which would have been the complete opposite of how it would have been 70 years ago.  I can only image how terrifying the place would have been back then.  The monument is perfect and its location is nothing but spectacular.

There is also a plark for Kingsbury VC here.  He charged the Japanese with his tommy gun clearing the way for his mates to retake the position.  He paid the ultimate, but without him things would have been very different.

This spot was also very special as we got to have a shower.  So we had one and washed our clothes.  Not sure how well they will dry however, looks like we are about to get some afternoon rain.  Got too have a little leisurely walk around the area with Steve and Peter.  Was really nice just hanging out with the brothers. It feels so good they are here doing it with me.  Going to be something we never forget.

I got another message!!! Feels great.  Was thinking about home and was wishing I was there to cheer on the boys (Broncos) with you.  Hope you have a good night and you can bring home the victory.

Just before bed Peter had a fall down a slippery muddy track.  We are staying up for a bit to dry by the fire.  We managed to stay up till 8:30 and Peter clothes, although dirty, were dry.

Tomorrow KOKODA!!!!!!

1900 to Eora Creek

Day 8

Day started very early again.  Out of the tent by 6 and walking by 7am.  This I not a problem cause all you want to do it walk.  It feels good getting up and it feels great to be on the track. I had a great sleep, I think it must have been the location that helped.

Allan had a rough night with lots of waking up and had fevers all night.  He continued to have them all day, but stayed tough and kept going.  He is looking forward to an early night and hopefully recovery. Peter is also getting sick and his voice is getting pretty crocky. He assures me he is fine and is not complaining about it at all, not that I ever thought he would.  I have woken up with my right index finger about twice the size it should be.  I have no idea why or how, but it is.  It is not too sore, but I cannot make a fist.  It is going to be hard to hold the walking pole with that hand.

The boys sung their song again this morning, I was able to catch it on camera.  They must also be getting excited to making it to the end.  They then get to see their families. They are all great blokes and go out of their way to make sure everything is going well and that everyone is ok.

We headed off for the day and it turns out to be a massive day or walking.  The legs are feeling it now.  It is hard on the up and the down hills.  They are tired but they are not going to stop.  Today it was pretty muddy and very slippery on the down hills.  I must have almost slipped over about 50 times.  This also makes me think about the guys who are not only carrying all their gear, but it is raining all the time and they have the threat of battle at any time.


We then went a little off track to go see a supply dump.  There was a massive amount of ammo including mortars, grenades and rifle ammunition.  There was even a helmet from a Japanese solider.

We reached The Gap which is a height of 2186, then headed down to Templetons Crossing where we had lunch.  This was the site of a massive battle and one that I will always remember from now on.

About 2 more hours after lunch where we reached camp for the night.  A quick wash in the freezing water and we were all ready for some rest.

During the afternoon we had a walk around the place, at leasure and found an amazing bridge.  From a construction point of view, it is amazing, from and appearance  point of view, it is spectacular and from a me crossing it point of view...........I will hold that opinion until I am across it.

Allan went to bed about 7 to try and get better, but we all only made it till 7:45 anyway.  We have been told that tomorrow might only be a 5 hour day so we should be done just after lunch.  I am hoping we pass some more of the little shops so I can buy a few things for home.

Got another message from Nicole and the kids.  So amazing how good it makes me feel know that they are thinking about me like I am thinking about them.  This time next week I will be able to give everyone the biggest hug ever!

Efogi 2 to 1900

Day 7

The day started even earlier today around 5:30.  My stomach was not right.  Small cramps and a little upset but I managed to hang in there all day.  Not like I was going to do anything different though.

We started walking by 7am today and did not finish till after 3pm.  It was a hard long day and having the upset stomach made it a little worse as I did not want to eat very much, which I was then low on energy, but at least the stomach was not bugging me as much.

As we set off this morning our lead guides, Ben and Killa sang to us.  The song was great and they were very good at getting up in front of us and singing it out.  We started out heading up, and it just seem to keep going up and up.

I am having trouble remembering a lot of the stories today as I think I was concentrating on getting to the spots more than usual.  We climbed up for a good part of 4 hours and we finally reach the top which was around 2000 m.  We all took this opportunity to rest and even lay down on the ground to recover.  The clouds were rolling past us, at our level and the view was amazing!  We have come a long way and the place was rewarding us with spectacular views.

After lunch we inspected a crash site of a American B25 bomber that had crashed into the jungle.  We also made a side trip out to Myola which is a dry lake which the Aussie used for supply drop during the war.  While walking through here, Freddy found some spent ammo just sitting on the ground.  Again it set me off thinking about how amazing it was that it was still here after all this time and why it was here and the people that needed it.

We then headed up some more to the camp for the night, named 1900.  As we come in the clouds rolled in.  It looks like mist everywhere.  I wish I could have taken a photo, but doubt it would work.

We had a quick bath in the creek, but it was absolutely freezing!  But again, felt amazing to freshen up.  It is 100% better than now getting clear and after the shock of how cold it is, it actually feels good on the sore muscles etc.

We are at 1950 m high, so tonight we spent the night close to the fire telling stories.  We managed to stay up till 8:00 pm, but that was hard.  While laying in the tent I can hear the creek trickling, a few night birds singing to each other, What a nice way to go to sleep.

Stomach is still not great, lets hope the sleep sorts things out. Thinking of you, getting closer to being able to call you and tell you how we are going.

Menari to Efogi 2

Day 6

Pretty rough night sleep again.  When I am asleep I sleep well, but you have to move within an hour or your shoulder goes numb.  Lucky for me I can go back to sleep pretty quick.  But all that is forgotten once the morning packing of the bag is done and you open your door to another incredible view.  I am not sure what type of sleep i was expecting to have, but what ever I am getting it is plenty for what is needed.

Breakfast, bathroom and a little chat with Dave to tell us what was on today.  We were headed to Brigade Hill, which was some of the biggest engagements in the entire war..  At one stage Battalion HQ was cut off from the Battalion.  First radio call was "Fight your way back to us!". Next radio communication was "We are fighting our way to you!"  We heard stories about men who had accepted their fate and did what needed to be done.

After a quick creek crossing we headed up the hill that leads to Brigade Hill.  This took a long time and at parts I am sure it was steeper than "The Wall".  We smashed it out together and the stories and chatter kept up.  Dave commented again how impressed he was with us as a group.

After some hard work we arrived at Brigade Hill  and at the point where Battalion HQ would have been.  Dave told us the stories about the battle and even in some cases some diggers fought all the way to Isurava and back to Brigade Hill only to give their life at this point for the greater good.

While we were at Brigade Hill we had a short service and both Peter and Allan read as part of it.  It was very emotional to hear all the names of the diggers that had been lost at this battle.

After the ceremony we headed off down a steep section towards our lunch stop.  While we were here the Green Machine told us that rain was coming so that we should not try and push to the original night spot but stop short of it.  We stopped at Efogi 1 for lunch and then a short walk to Efogi 2 where we made camp.  The green machine knew what they were talking about, because within 2 mins it was raining and it was pretty heavy.  We all were happy that we were not trying to walk in it.

Spent the afternoon telling more stories about war and some more general conversation.  Late afternoon the rain stopped so we headed down to the village to have a look around.  Allan handed out some lollies and the kids really liked them.  I think Freddy would have liked some more as well.  We raced back up to my bag to grab the glow sticks to take back down.  When we got back to the camp, I got a beautiful message on the sat phone from home.  Felt so good to hear from everyone and that they were all thinking about me.  I choose to read it out to the group as I am sure other would like to hear contact from outside world.  I did choke up a bit while reading though.

Was pretty hard to stay awake tonight but we managed to hang in till 8:30.  Moral is very high still and there is zero tension between people.  It is more like we have know each other for 6 years  not 6 days.  Could not have hoped for it to go any better so far.

Just before bed we all stood outside looking up at the sky again.  Soaking in the world in all its glory.

Missing everyone a lot!