Short Summary on the Kokada Trail Trek experienced by Dr Robyn
Dr Robyn experienced the Kokoda Trail Trek in the jungles of Papua New Guinea in late 2005.
(Dr Robyn) I can honestly say this has been a life-time experience I will never forget, very grounding and highly recommended to all Australians. The terrain was amazing, I felt like such a tiny speck in the jungle and at nature’s mercy for just about all of the 8 days of treking.
We walked up and down approximately 45deg hills for about 7 hours for 8 consecutive days. The leaches, sleeping with cockroaches and rats, unable to get clean or dry, unable to rest and recover properly before heading off again – these are just some of many, many challenges that are part of the Kokoda terrain and trek.
The people in the small villages are beautiful; they have nothing, material, as far as western society measures. But still they have the most beautiful of gifts, they are HAPPY and always SMILING. Some of the people in the villages are old enough to remember when the soldiers came through and absolutely destroyed their villages.
I have the absolute respect for the WWII soldiers who fought along the 100 km track in the most appalling conditions. Disease ridden, having a shortage of food, uniforms, medical supplies, living in the jungle – the heat, humidity, freezing at night, the tropical torrential rain. Even after crossing the Owen Stanley Ranges I still have no idea how these poor blokes did it.
Bumana War Cemetery was very moving, 3379 Australian soldiers are buried here. The average age was about 18. Many of the tomb-stones say “soldier unknown”.
Go to www.kokodatrekking.com.au to see some photos. I was on trek #68.
If you would like to read Dr-Robyn's daily notes for the 8 days of treking on the Kokoda Trail, please see the additional pages by clicking on NEXT below or by clicking on the links to each day at the top of this article.