Hello flower smellers! Ange here to tell you about my Kokoda trek. It certainly was an adventure and one that I will never forget.
I have been back a few weeks now and have processed all my thoughts and written about it at Buzzing with Ange in 4 parts. There was lots to tell and I could have written more, however, I think what I did write will give you a great insight into what it was like for me. (PS: if you do head on over to my place, please read from Part 1 through to Part 4, just to get the continuity of it. You can find the links to all the articles in the sidebar under “Recent Posts.”)
This really was a humbling experience and I have to say that we have it so easy having all the latest gadgets and modern conveniences for cooking and washing. Even hopping into our cars to go shopping is a real treat compared to how the natives of Papua New Guinea live their lives, although, I know they don’t know any different. Apart from the capital city of Port Moresby, there really aren’t any roads over there and it is quite a hike to get from village to village as I found out on the Kokoda Track.
The biggest and most frustrating thing I found was that not being in touch with family back home was a real bummer. At the end of each day, I would want to let them know I was okay and how I had gone and what we had experienced. Any other time I am away that is what I usually do, but not on this trip! No contact with anyone except the team I was with and the porters who travelled with us.
I have to tell you about my porter Armstrong. He is an angel and without his help and support throughout the trek, I would have been even more frustrated. Armstrong carried my pack with all my clothes, sleeping bag etc. I carried my day pack with water and snacks and at times, climbing up those steep mountains, he would take my day pack as well as help me up the big sometimes muddy, sometimes tangled tree root steps.
I couldn’t believe how steep these climbs were. Both up and down. The steps were all uneven and some I had to sometimes use my hands as well as feet to get up there. There are fallen trees over parts of the track and climbing over those was also a challenge. There were parts of the track that were flat and these were mainly squishy mud! There were many times I would fall over and land flat on my back in the mud. Needless to say, I got very dirty!
The river crossings were fun and we would usually give everything to our porters and they would help us across the logs and boulders to the other side.
The scariest part of the track was on the side of the mountain where at some points, there were only rocks jutting out to step on and a sheer drop into the jungle on the other side. I couldn’t believe I was there at times. What on earth was I thinking? Two small children at home and here I was being an adventurer!! These thoughts crossed my mind a few times while I should have been concentrating on my footing. I had to let them go pretty quickly though as my focus had to be there and not at home.
All in all it was an awesome trek and I did enjoy it despite the fact that we only had one hot shower for the whole week and most other times, couldn’t use soap as we washed in the river waters. I didn’t get any blisters on my feet although by day 5 and 6 they were really sore as we would walk anywhere from 4 hours to 9 hours in a day to reach our campsites.
So come on over and share the whole experience with me at my place. There are many more pics to look at too. Then let me know if it is something that you would consider doing for yourself.
sounds great just you and a lackey to do all the work for you eh!!! well done!!
I have heard its very underdeveloped there.
perhaps if they all actually worked for a living they could have a car, macd’s, etc - I wish I could afford to aimlessley wander round chatting tourists up but I have to work.
even if they all worked, their wages are below the poverty line so luxuries are not an option!
Anges last blog post..My Excellent Kokoda Adventure Part 4
well work harder then
Wow!!! Congratulations on completing the trek. I know it is something that I wouldn’t want to do…I don’t do outdoorsy well. I bet you feel proud…as you should. I will be reading your blog to read more about it.
ClinicallyCluelesss last blog post..Past Journal Entry: July 22, 2005 ~ 6:00 pm
Thanks CC! I have never been the outdodorsy type either so this is why I took on the challenge to see how I would cope. It does take something but in saying that, it was all worth it. Hope you enjoy the read!
Hi Ange’ mud and jungle i can cope with (i think), sheer drops and watching your footing i can’t.
Sounds like a trip of a lifetime and if you’ve got the money then why not? There are plenty worse things to frit your money away on, at least you had an adventure with yours.
Now your journey is the sort i’d pay money at the church social to go and see a slide show of - you must ‘rent’ yourself out ! (meant in the nicest possible way before you jump in Urban!)
Jonathan
Okay, so if I “rent” myself out, when would you like me to come and speak at your church social??
I think I like this adventurous bug I am developing. Note to self - Must save to go on the next trek!!
Anges last blog post..My Excellent Kokoda Adventure Part 4
must admit it does sound exciting
a mate of mine enthused about a recent trip trekking in kenya- he said to me ‘I had a gash on my face on the first night and it was still there a week later.’
I was all set to book until it was pointed out to me that he had actually sustained a cut on his face. shame. that would have been the ideal holiday for me.
Congrats Ange and thanks for sharing your latest adventure. We’ll head over to your site to read the rest and ask you - what was the high point and the low point on the trip - in the emotional sense, not the Geographic you understand
We would consider this one as we’ve plenty of space to add more snaps in the ‘Our Experience’ page here which we’ve just updated. Within the next few months we’ll have profile spaces for everyone to post their photos and share their experiences.
Thanks for sharing Ange!
Sounds great Jim ‘n’ Em!! Enjoy the read… there’s lots there and quite an emotional trip. It’s good to be home too and I look forward to the “Our Experience” page spaces!
Anges last blog post..My Excellent Kokoda Adventure Part 4
We’ve completed ours which is now live here at GSTF under ‘ our experience’.
Deep and the tech gang will be working on user profiles in the coming weeks so everyone in the garden can upload snapshots of their acheivements.
G Day Ange
Am heading in to read later on today…. you got to be so proud of yourself…. well done…
I have seen from others who have completed the trek just how hard it is…..
Proud of my Aussie Friend….
Way to go……
thanks Aussie… you’re the best!!
HUGS
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