Trek 617 Options

[Lorna]

Hi there Kim,

Our group stayed at the Ela Beach Hotel pre and post trek, and then I had a few nights at Loloata Island scuba diving before I flew home. Ela beach Hotel was fantastic, brilliant service, nice rooms, great pool and a beaut bistro and bar.... with a fantastic band. ( we partied very late on the night of our return from the track, after a fabulous meal at the yatch Club!!) They're very prompt with email replies, and I liked the fact that I saw a little more of Port Moresby than if I had stayed at one of the airport hotels ( Gateway or Airways). Ela beach had a courtesy bus at the airport to pick us up.

I also liked Loloata Island and there were trekking groups staying there whilst I was in residence.

[Wokabaut Meri]

Hi Kim,
I also stayed at Loloata Island - it is about 40 minutes (door to door) from the airport by boat and car but a more relaxed atmosphere than Moresby. The sea laps under your room when the tide comes in. It also has a short walking track up its single hill to stretch your legs. We stayed an extra day after our trek - some pictures attached:

Have a great Trek!

Cheers
Barbara

[K*I*M]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. Loloata Island looks beautiful and might be a nice post trek retreat! I also like the sound of Ela beach purely because I think seeing more of the country sounds nice. I'll speak to my tracking partner and we can make a decision soon.

Cheers,
Kim (already excited and nervous!)

[K*I*M]

Well, not long to go now. I have (nearly!) all my stuff, and it is mostly packed. I am really hoping I haven't forgotten anything, although if I have it's probably not too important. I hope...

After breaking my boots in for a couple of months (I had to change boots and the orginal pair I had were just not right), they are finally giving me blisters. Not happy, but the blisters should be healed by the time we leave and I'll just use the blister band-aids right from the start.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the good advice I've gotten on here. I may not have posted heaps, but I certainly have read most of the info on here. Thanks Fluppy for asking all the questions I would have asked!

Cheers,
Kim

[peterh13]

put some 2" black tape over your blister packs.

[Fluppy]

K*I*M - You're welcome. I like asking questions. I am fortunate that everyone on here has been extremely patient with my endless questioning lol!

As for the blisters you know what? I must have the most shocking feet on the planet! For 18 months I did blister preparation. Packs, Vaseline, Vitamin E, filing, blister packs, corn packs, orthodics, physio, podiatrist, spray bandaids (regular ones just do not stick let me assure you), duct tape and I STILL got blistering in the creases at the back of my heels lol!

Half of my medical kit consisted of foot care! Take a roll of duct tape. Most versatile best investment EVER in my pack (aside from the malarial tablets and water purification tablets)!

[K*I*M]

I feel like half my pack is made up of blister bandaids and tape! I'll take the duct tape, and hope for the best. I'm hoping anything that I don't have now is stuff I don't need, so I'm feeling pretty good.

I'll drop in once we are back to let everyone know how it went.

Cheers,
Kim

[peterh13]

good luck mate.

[K*I*M]

Hi All,

Well we made it back safe and sound. We both had the most awesome time. It is the most incredible thing, although feels somewhat sureal now. The gym I belong to is arranging some Kokoda treks later this year and I'm already trying to work out how I could fit this into my budget! Do I buy a house or walk the track again?!

We started from Kokoda, and up the first long hill I was in a bad way really. I was sweating buckets (even for me), and felt dizzy and light-headed. We passed a plaque for the man who died in 2008 and I thought about stopping. But I'm not that kind of girl. We stopped shortly after for morning tea, and after I had something to eat and drink I felt a lot better. I didn't have any problems for the rest of the trip. I also never got blisters(!), although my friend Judith got some horrible looking blisters (one on each big toe), and some less horrible looking blisters, and a black toenail. But she was a real trouper and never complained.

Our porters were just incredible. The first crossing of Iora creek was incredibly difficult as the creek was flooded and the bridge had washed away. It took around 2.5 hours just for the porters to get a rope across, but they did it. We went hand over hand across the rope, with a porter with ther arms around us, so if we let go of the rope they would have grabbed us. They are absolute supermen! I guess the major bonus of going in the wet season is that there are no other groups around, and so we always had guesthouses to stay in and it was very peaceful.

Anyway, I'd just like to say thanks to all for all the advice, it was one of the most difficult (and yet not so difficult, which I know doesn't make much sense!) things I have ever done and I will remember it forever!

Cheers,
Kim

[Wokabaut Meri]

Congratulations and well done!

Sounds amazing with the creeks and rivers up. The porters are the sung and unsung heroes of the Track:

Slow and careful in bad places
On the awful mountain track

With the emphasis on the 'awe' as in full of wonder... walking the Track is a paradox in so many ways

[Fluppy]

K*I*M - so glad you enjoyed your trek. An amazing experience isn't it! Congratulations on completing Kokoda. You never got any blisters? Wow! Lucky you!! Once again, congratulations - many memories will no doubt be etched in your mind forever now

fluppy

[peterh13]

what a great effort Kim,good for you.

[housefull]

I agree with Rocky, wet weather gear is a waste of time,,,,we had no wet days at all but my clothes were soaked from sweat from day one.
KEEP YOUR FEET DRY.