2024 Anzac Day we finally made it over to Papa New Guinea and completed the Kakoda trek, a little delayed due to Covid but we made it. Me and my 2 mates met at the cairns airport and went to the debriefing for the trek, we were flying to papa New Guinea the next morning.

Day one woke up early and went to airport flight to PNG stopped in Port Moresby and got supplies headed to Kokoda trail first section was all down hill it was raining and everything was muddy. We had to cross a river were I took of my boots and put my pack on my head the river was shoulder deep and pretty strong we set up camp, one trekker passed out when we got to camp and is not well. It continues to rain hard. Had a swim in the river.didn’t feel well and fell asleep with no dinner 

It was a noisy night with the rain going to about 2am the river is flowing which lets of a mighty sound and so many animal and insect noises. I was carrying 20kg on my back over some of the hardest tracks I’ve ever seen everything was muddy and the the sun cooked us, I pushed to hard and got to the camp spot where I came unstuck and fell down dehydrated. luckily my mate was there to get me in the running water were I tried to regather myself I thought the trek was over for me once I realised were I was it wasn’t good, I drunk as much water as I could and ate dinner 

I was cooked for day 3 big cramps lots of hills and creek crossing I was struggling I pushed way to hard and should of had more breaks, it was a grooling down hill 3hr walk through the mud 5 people have already been helicopter out. I made it and ate dinner still feeling not the best. I didn’t realise how many meals you can make with spam.

This morning was a big hill climb followed by a river crossing were we had to swim through, it was strong, we stopped in a village and had lunch I bought some avocados from the locals before tackling a monster hill which went forever, we got into camp late. I am starting to feel better but I have a rash on my legs from chaffing and cut on my toe my muscles hurt but I’m ok.

Had a service on top of the mountain were many lives were lost Another big day down a hill across a river into a beautiful village then up the biggest mountain words or photos can’t describe how hard it was and would of been for all the people that defended here. We had lunch followed by another big climb in the rain and mud all my clothes are wet and my socks and boots, it’s hard to dry anything out, to finish was a long walk through the jungle to a camp site had dinner and in bed as I am tired, through the night the locals sing and it sounds amazing.

What a day so many hills such beautiful people and country on such sad ground which I can’t even imagine how you would fight on such rugged terrain I feel so much better than my first few days, we gave out gifts to the locals. The only way in and out of this place is the many days walk, no power no internet.

It’s so good to get a go meal, they made spam pizzas cooked on the fire, we are all trying to dry our socks out. As soon as we get to our camping spot for the night we quickly put up our 1 person tents, roll out the sleeping bag, find my head lamp, Nightly routine before going to sleep is filling my water bottles and adding purifying tablets. Out here gives me a-lot of time to think and not being able to speak to my loved ones and let them know I’m ok and hoping they are safe, I Miss my wife and kids so much and love them with all my heart and soul.

We have seen so many battle zones, and have been told so many stories about what took place, our guide is a legend ex SAS with a passion for this place it’s definitely a physical and emotional journey.

Another mountain to climb up then climb back down, through another river, then boots back on, every time we stop we try to dry out our tents. The locals who are cooking for us are tough, having food out for breakfast and we start trekking and then running past us with no shoes carrying all pots and pans and food too start cooking lunch, then the same for dinner. Smiling as they go past, it’s not the first time they have done this journey just another day for them.

The smiles and attitude from the locals who have nothing but they have everything they need is hard to explain.

Body hurts, lost a couple of kilos, enjoying the time with my mates and the experience of this epic journey.

Nearly there it’s been tough but such an amazing experience lots of ups and downs very emotional, busy night setting up camp, it’s Anzac Day tomorrow, we have the service as day breaks.

Lest we forget, they are still finding ammunition and explosives throughout the jungle, so many lost their lives defending our country.

Single file is the only way to get through is goat track, I’m looking forward to speaking with my family, only a few more hills to go.

Finally made it I couldn’t have done it without my mates and will not forget this or what happened on the Kokoda Trail.

A very emotional phone call to the family full of joy, I gave most of my stuff away to some locals and had a beer waiting for our ride home.

Only one way to get back to Papa New Guinea airport that’s in the back of this truck. We loaded in and hoped we made it back, our guide had cash just in case we had to pay our way through, we flew back to cairns we’re we enjoyed a couple of days around a pool before going home.