DAY 2 - DENIKI TO ALOLA

Sunday 06 July

The trekkers were up early at 5am after spending the night at Kokoda. They had breakfast, before sun up then they gathered under the Kokoda arches for a group photo before starting their epic trek across Kokoda. They trekked passed the village of Hoi, enjoying the spectacular sweeping views over the Kokoda valley and trekking via the original war time village to Deniki. The Deniki hill tested a few and more than a couple trekkers were wondering what they had got themselves in for. Deniki is the site of the 39th Militia Battalion’s first defensive position after withdrawing from Kokoda.

After resting breifly, they hiked out of the Deniki, trekking past the choko vines and experiencing the spectacular scenery with sweeping views down the valley on there way to Isurava village for morning tea. They played with some of the village kids and discussed some more history about the campaign here. Then it was packs on and back onto the track for another hours hiking as they made their way to Isurava Battlefield memorial. This War Memorial is located at a significant point on the Isurava battle site which the Kokoda Track bisects. The trekkers inspected Kingsbury’s Rock, the site of the action which earned Private Bruce Steel Kingsbury his Victoria Cross on 29 August 1942. Here they held a moving service at the monument and paid their respects to our returned and fallen soldiers.

They listened to some stories of the campaign of those who made the incredible and ultimate sacrifice, such men as Corporal John Metson, Charlie McCallum and Bruce Kingsbury. After lunch they then trekked a tough but short hike onto the "Surgeons Stone" to listen to some more moving stories from Stan Bisset about his brother Butch. Then it was another hours trekking with a few up and downs on the way to Alola. There was no rain today however, the track is very wet & muddy making it a very tough day and the group have made amazing time after yesterdays delay & arriving in camp at 4:50pm. The camaraderie of the group was fantastic and all are doing well. They are now resting up and have now settled in here for dinner and looking forward to trekking together tomorrow.