DAY 1 - KOKODA TO DENIKI

Sunday 07 September

The day had finally arrived and after months of training the students and mentors had finally arrived in PNG and were met at the airport by Andy & Mick 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. Mick was 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. They boarded and it was a 30-minute flight flying over the Owen Stanley ranges and arriving in Popondetta. Then they boarded a troop carrier and made their way to town for a snack & then back on the troop carrier for an 3-hour journey to Kokoda. After arriving in Kokoda, they inspected the museum, Kokoda plateau. The weather was over 39 degrees! Then they gathered under the Kokoda arches for a group photo before starting the epic trek across Kokoda, trekking pass the village oh Hoi, enjoying the spectacular sweeping views over the Kokoda valley and trekking via the original war time village to Deniki. As always, the Deniki hill tested a few and more than a couple trekkers were wondering what they had got themselves in for. The trekkers were lucky the trek was dry and the cloud had come out to help shield the sun. Deniki is the site of the 39th Militia Battalion’s first defensive position after withdrawing from Kokoda. They made it into camp at 5:00pm a little tired but in high spirits. They are now enjoying some popcorn and pondering on what tomorrow has install.