DAY 1 TREKKING: KOKODA TO DENIKI

Thursday 17 April

After a long day yesterday, the trekkers arrived in Port Moresby and were met by their guide Australian “Jules” and transported 10mins back to the 5 star Hilton Hotel. A few enjoyed a swim before meeting for a pre trek briefing and then had a great dinner last night before back to the room to unpack, repack, unpack & repack.

There was a great mix of nerves and excitement as the trekkers were up early this morning for a hot breakfast before heading back to the airport for 6:30am flight to Popondetta. It was a short 30-minute flight to flying over the Owen Stanley ranges and the Kokoda track. After landing in Popondetta the trekkers boarded a troop carrier for a short 15 minute ride into  town to pick up some supplies and then they were back on the troop carrier as they made the journey to Kokoda station.

On arriving in Kokoda, they had lunch, inspected the Kokoda Plateau, museum and discussed some history of the Kokoda campaign. Then they met their local guides and support staff, gathered under the famous Kokoda arches for a group photo and it was then off into the PNG jungle where they spend the next 8 days. The track is very muddy and the day very humid which tested a few and then the rain came down and it was very heavy. They trekked for an hour past Kovelo and then another 60 minutes to the village of Hoi where they stopped for some lukewarm soft drink and amazing fruit. Then they tackled the first ascent of the trek the “Deniki” hill and this was a tough one, leaving a few second guessing themselves. According Jules (Aust Head Guide) they a are a cracking group and even with the track & weather conditions they arrived into camp early at 4:45pm.