We were away 11 days in total. Day 1 and Day 11 were travel days to and from Port Moresby. Day 5 was a compulsory Sabbath rest day. The Day 10 was 45 minutes hiking. The total distance covered was 110km of mountains – up and down. The total trekking time was 6 days. Each night,before I went to sleep, I wrote a daily diary. This is the story, unedited, of my 50th birthday gift to myself (with husband, son, best friend and her family, and my running mate Jully and her nephew).
Day 4. I cried today.
With a 5am wake up to “Good morning Vietnam” and the initial groan, we knew we were in for a good day when the lyrics kicked in.
It was truly beautiful today.
We hiked from camp to Surgeon Rock, where personal wartime stories came to life and touched us all- bringing emotions of loved ones and life’s fragility to the surface. With tears streaming down our faces and the ballad of “Danny Boy” in the background we learnt the personal cost of the battle of the Kokoda Track.
On to Alolo village for morning tea and the best outlook possible. We bought passionfruit – big, fruity and oh so delicious.
The scenery was spectacular and outweighed the challenge of the hike. We are really remote. Far from anywhere and our little family of “team 11” has banded together.
By lunchtime we were so hot that the coolness/iciness of Eora creek beckoned. Soothing sore and weary muscles, we bathed in the midday sun with tea in one hand and damper in the other.
Then it was up- I mean hard up. Straight after lunch this was a tough ask. Short reprieves with flat sections. We visited ammunition sites and Japanese defence posts.
With the beauty of the track and its people, it’s hard to think this was such a battlefield.
Creek crossings on makeshift bridges added to the excitement.
Finally, weary and very hungry we arrived at Templeton’s Crossing Camp Site – freezing and isolated! So hungry we ate all that we could.
Another great day on the track. Rain and mud enhanced the experience – ” painting the picture ” more accurately, yet so many worlds apart.
Yvonne Shepherd is the founder and Chief Adventure Officer at Women’s Fitness Adventures – where we combine fitness, adventure and travel all in one place.
