Our Kokoda Trek

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Our Kokoda Trek

Monday 11th April - Kokoda to Isurava

All were up once there was movement in the room, today the challenge was to begin.  We only got a quick glimpse of where we were heading before the early morning cloud moved in.  Then it was breakfast and the 'final' reorganisation of the packs.

After breakfast three daily rituals were started - firstly a saying from Matt, to be known as a 'Bargism', todays offering being "Silence is Golden".  Secondly, the awarding of 'Freddo Frog', awarded for doing something silly, today it was to Liam for his little swim yesterday.  Thirdly, Dale and Caitlin will daily create a new design for the 'buff' (bandana) which we all have.

Before setting off we were given a tour of the hospital by Sister Margaret.

We had a large group of supporting carriers, some helping lug our gear and others heading home to Abuari.  As we moved along the flat through the rubber trees the temperature rose and the humidity took some getting used to.

A short rest was taken at the stream in Hoi before we started the climb up to Deniki.  At Deniki we had a lunch break, while taking in the outstanding views down the valley to Kokoda.

After lunch, water bottles were filled at the unexpected pipe coming out of the side of the hill then it was into the awesome choko fields that rage out of control in the area.

Later in the afternoon we had a short break in the dark jungle beside a raging mountain stream before tackling the last few steep climbs into Isurava.  It had been a long day, 9 hours on the track, but a lot of fun.  Accomodation was a mixture of native hut and tents.  The showers were very cold but most refreshing.  After a tasty meal the carriers sang a number of songs, including a song to become very popular with us - 'watermelon, watermelon ...".  They also sang their beautiful National anthem. 

Poems tonight were "Tumba bloody rumba (Dalton) and New Guinea (Katie).

Off to bed with a number of storms brewing in the distance and a great feeling of pride in what we did today.

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