DAY 1 - KOKODA to DENIKI

Sunday 21 September

After plenty of planning a few nerves, the trekkers finally landed at Port Moresby international airport yesterday and were met by Andy & Mick and transported back to the 5 star Hilton Hotel. A few enjoyed an afternoon nap, while others had a swim and, in the evening, they gathered for a pre-trek briefing, dinner and off to bed.

They were up early for breakfast at the hotel before heading back to the domestic airport for the 30-minute flight to Popondetta. Once they arrived, it was a short 20-minute drive into Popondetta where they were they picked up some supplies and a few snacks. Then it was a long dusty 3-hour journey to Kokoda from Popondetta travelling by private vehicle along the Japanese advance route from the coast via such historic sites as Wairopi, the Kumusi River, Awala, Oivi and Gorari.

After finally in arriving in Kokoda they inspected the Kokoda Plateau, museum and discussed more of the history of the Kokoda campaign and battles there, all while greeted with great weather. They gathered for lunch then a photo under the Kokoda arches and started the trek with a dramatic change in weather conditions, lots of rain which continued all afternoon. 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 as the wet weather formed a muddy and slippery track causing a cascading river down the Deniki hill as they trekked up it! 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 arriving in camp at 5:15pm like “drowned rats” and still continuing to rain, they are now having dinner & getting ready for a huge day of trekking tomorrow. All are doing well.