Kokoda, Papua New Guinea

[Cocksy_86]

[attachment=4]Fuzzy Wuzzy..jpg[/attachment][attachment=3]Simon the Porter. Kagi in the background..jpg[/attachment][attachment=2]Team Leader..jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]Old Menari..jpg[/attachment]

[Cocksy_86]

Some other pics.[attachment=4]Eddie..jpg[/attachment][attachment=3]Efogi..jpg[/attachment][attachment=2]Butcher Hill..jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]On the way to Isurava..jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]Valley..jpg[/attachment]

[Lindsay]

Great photos mate. Kokoda has been on my to do list for a long time. Who did you go with, any particular problems etc? Any info would be appreciated.

[Cocksy_86]

I went with Executive Excellence (EE). They're really good but really expensive. They took Joe Hockey, Kevin Rudd, 60 Minutes Reporter...ect. But it's worth it in the sense that they have all safety (and health) issues covered thoroughly. They have deposits paid with insurance companies so all they have to do is make a phone call and things are hit on the head. At Nauro I dropped to the ground with a 42C temp, eyes went fuzzy, couldn't hear, couldn't speak, could barely move.

So 72km into the 96km. They called in the helicopter and got me off to the international hospital. My fever broke in the helicopter but it took a full 6 months to recover. Totally rough.

Tips for going. (Kokoda groups will give their own advice. But these are things I learnt that they won't probably teach you).

-The mountains are so high. I've never seen mountains that big. So get fit.
-Get something called your ITB looked at. It's the muscle that runs from your hip to your knee. Because of the steep descents it really plays up. My Old Man's went, a girl's (30 years old) went, the Team Leader just had surgery on his.
-Go with a group that knows what they are doing. If I hadn't gone with the company I was with, I would have died. I was 21, fit, and healthy.
-We had a big group of 24 with 20 porters, a medic, and a team leader. Someone still managed to break into a tent and steal $300.
-There was 60 Minutes segment where young blokes like me were dying cause they are drinking too much water and not enough salts (Staminade), and vice versa. Find the healthy balance.
-Take a NRL Football Jersey as a present for your porter. Best thing you can give them.

Anyway, plenty more advice where that came from, but that's all I can think of besides the obvious.

Let me know if you find a group to go with, or if you had any other questions.

Peace.

Josh

[nickL]

great one josh

i recently came back also from kokoda and had my trip report half done - your pics have inspired me to finish it

good one and look forward to a report on your next big adventure

cheers

nick

[Lindsay]

Thanks Josh, I won't be going anytime soon however your experience is a sobering reminder of the importance of travelling with a reputable company and proper preparation.

Lindsay.

[ninjapuppet]

YIKES!

Is it really that hard? makes you wonder how tough our aussie soldiers had it hey?
Josh you look like a really fit young man from the photos and i'm shocked that you thought you nearly died. your report makes it sounds like the climate acclimatisation and body salt balance is more the tough part rather the physical side of things? oh wait... you're from queensland too.

With ITB muscles, its a big culprit for people on their feet alot. it can cause knee pain (runners knee), or even in my case, hip pain. A lot of people claim orthotics and VMO strengthening exercises help, but for me, I'm going to stretch the hell out of it prior to the next big trip.

[north-north-west]

-Take a NRL Football Jersey as a present for your porter. Best thing you can give them.

I don't know about that. I'm a Manly fan. If the team is regarded the same way in PNG that it is in dubberland, I'd probably end up in the stewpot . . .

[Cocksy_86]

Two of the team got their porters Bronchos jerseys. One of them was the porter in the picture above wearing the Mighty Mouse singlet. They wore them with pride. It was pretty cool.

They are also into their tobacco and smoke rollies. But they have a high regard for cigars. So if you get these...

http://www.thefind.com/gifts/browse-mac ... duro-ascot

And hand them out to a few of them (be sure to take a cigar cutter), then they'll be blown away.