DAY 1 - PORT MORESBY TO KOKODA

Monday 04 May

The day had finally arrived and after months of training the trekkers had finally arrived in PNG and were met at the airport by their Aussie guide Sheree and transported to the 5-Star Hilton Hotel. After getting settled they gathered for a pre-trek briefing & dinner & then it was an early night for everyone. AK’s op’s team were up early & headed back to the airport to check-in all the trekkers bags for Popondetta on the way to Kokoda. This allowed the trekkers to enjoy a sleep in and then a hot breakfast at the Hotel before heading down to the domestic airport for their flight.

The trekkers enjoyed a bit of a sleep in this morning as their flight to Popondetta was delayed by 4 hours. They had a nice hot breakfast at the 5-star Hilton Hotel, then it was a 15 minutes journey to the domestic airport for a for a 30 minute flight to Popondetta. Once arriving in Popondetta they made their way to town to pick up some supplies and a few snacks. Then they boarded a private troop carrier the long journey to Kokoda, which turned out to be a 3.5 hour drive instead due to the poor conditions of the road between Popendetta and Kokoda. They passed historic sites as Wairopi, the Kumusi River, Awala, Oivi and Gorari.

On arriving in Kokoda at 6pm they inspected the Kokoda Plateau, museum and discussed more of the history of the Kokoda campaign and battles there. Due to the flight delay and the extra 1-hour travel time from Popendetta to Kokoda the trekkers will be staying overnight in Kokoda. They will then begin their first day of trekking in the early hours of tomorrow.