DAY 2 - DENIKI TO ALOLA

Monday 22 September

Another muddy track today as yesterday’s rain didn’t stop until 2 AM. The trekkers were up early at 5am, had breakfast, before sun up and then hiked out of the village of Deniki. They trekked 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. The camaraderie of the group was fantastic and all are doing well and a lot more dry than yesterday. They are now resting up and have now settled in here for dinner and looking forward to trekking together tomorrow.