Toilet Seat Covers

[39thdecendant]

In a travel shop, I found travel accessories and one of these travel accessories were toilet seat covers, about $15.00 for a pack of ten, and they are bio-degradable.. Wish I had seen these before I went.. The toilet issue up there is indescribable, I had to laugh at one posting on here, ' only the most pickky female would find the toilets awful' dear god, where the hell was he bought up!! These covers fit over the top of the toilet seat and the ones I saw were impregnated with anti-bacterial, these with some antibacterial wipes, and some disinfectant ( the hand washing stuff you don't need water with) should go someway towards making it a little more comfortable, and a whole lot safer to use.

[Geoff Hardie]

Hi Nettie,

Toliets along the track are certainly very primative and actual toilet seats are very much the exception. My only recollection of seats were at Efogi.
Cheers,

Geoff Hardie

[mikmac1959]

G'day

I trekked last july and can't remember a toilet seat you could put a cover on!!!
most were just a hole in the ground.
Cheers

[39thdecendant]

There were toilet seats at Isurava Memorial, wish I had found these before I went up, even the ones at Kokoda were a bit iffy! Have bought some for next time though….. and as females we would have had more encounters with THE TOILET than males.. The funniest thing I saw was one of our group, who obviously hadn't been before , head into the toilet at Isurava Village.. with a book!!!!.. he looked inside and ditched the book..

[Freray]

I thought the idea of doing kokoda was to get out of your comfort zone!!!!!!

[bonnie0715]

I think disposable toilet seat cover is imperative when you trvelling. This is a good way to solve the health problem.

[Geoff Hardie]

I agree, health issues must not be compromised however lets get serious about acknowledging the current situation on the Kokoda Track.
1.Amenities along the Track are not "5 Star" not even "1 star". Perhaps minus 5 maybe an accurate rating!
2.The great bulk (95%)of tolieting facilities along the track are of the squat variety. I not sure how disposable toilet seat covers are of any use for these.

Outdoor adventure is exactly that, "Adventure". Basic health procedures should not be ignored however you need to be realistic about the conditions you choose to go into. If they do not meet your expectations, your choice would seem simple.
Give me camping under a million stars anytime . I much prefer this to the so called "5 star" "luxury" accommodation.
Cheers, Geoff Hardie.

[phantom]

Hi,
Saw your post and must say. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING. There are No TOILETS as such on Kokoda. This is a remote, isolated and beautiful country that does not have toilets as we are used to. Stop packing this sort of stuff that just adds weight and makes it too hard. Go and practice on a few overnight weekend hikes and see what you need. You certainly don't need toilet seat covers.

I have done Kokoda three times now and haven't seen a toilet that you could sit on yet.Practice using the Asain style squat toilets. that is what is up there.

I am not trying to be too harsh but realistic. Take the least anount of stuff you can. You will be grateful at th eend of it all. It is a magical experience don't overcomplicate it.

[petedowling]

Dear 39th descendant, so much fuss over something so basic. As the NIKE ads say "just do it". Remember where you are . Throughout Asia squat toilets are the norm. I dont know how widely you have travelled but if you travel through (as opposed to staying in 5 star hotels) Vietnam ,Cambodia, Laos then squat toilets are what you expect and have to use in the countryside.It is all relative to the country you are in and the relative wealth and infrastructure existing. PNG is no different. As the old addage goes "when in Rome do as the Romans do".
a couple of other points.
You seem very worried about health issues, yet you are willing to touch and clean a toilet seat, fit a toilet seat cover to one, remove the cover along with all the surface bacteria you have removed with it and then dispose of it whilst at all times not wearing your nitrol disposable medical gloves or maybe you are taking a box of those too. And you are worried about toilet bugs. Where does this all end?
Just one further comment. Writing as a woman it does not necessarily by gender make you an expert on toilets and their relative condition nor does it extend to you a right to dismiss views of "mere males". I am aware of male trekkers with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chron's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis who need to use toilets frequently who could challenge your expertise based on gender on the state of toilets on the track.
In the end ,do what you have to do but simply remember this is a trek not a five star holiday.
Regards
Pete

[39thdecendant]

[Geoff Hardie]

Hi All,
At the risk of unnecessarily prolonging this debate, in my view all contributions have been very worthwhile and I am sure no criticism has been intended by anyone. 39th Descendant's contributions on many subjects are most valuable based upon her extensive life experiences in this beautiful Country to our North.
I have observed for some time from this forum, that there are many seeking help in preparing to walk the track, often because this is to be their very first experience of bush hiking. In my view this in itself, i.e it being their first experience of overnight bush walking, is very unwise. One always hope that they include in their Kokoda Track preparation, this very necessary experience.
Nevertheless, by seeking information via this forum they are to be commended for taking the time and effort to add this dimension to their personal preparation. Accordingly, debates of this nature are, I am certain, very useful for first time trekkers. All will be well informed if they take the time to read everyones worthwhile contribution.
Cheers, Geoff Hardie

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