Re: Energy, Stamina, Concentration and Disease Protection while trekking…. Hi, I had climbed part of the track back in the early 70's while in the PNGVR (PNG Army Reserves). While I was fit and young, the track was really hard going and my energy and stamina levels were sapped fast, and could not recover fully using European tucker. Native Food…[Read more]

By the way, just a little mention for those guys sometimes fondly referred to as "fuzzy wuzzy angels" by old diggers – they never wore boots, and had the least problems with their feet. But my feet were too soft to emulate them, gotta admit! They could WALK up mountains like a sunday stroll in a few hours, carrying OUR packs! – While we took just…[Read more]

Hi I am an old hand from New Guinea, – Ex-Army PNGVR unit – but keep up to things pretty much (I'm 62 feeling like 32) – Vaseline is good for protection, yes… but if Tinea strikes, use Apple Cider vinegar and wipe on affected areas – stings – but goes and let dry, put vaso over before replacing socks and boots. I always wore 2 army socks on each…[Read more]

Hi Korr and 39th. descendant… good to see there were warnings about getting LOST on the kokoda track… remember the Japanese Soldier who got lost near there in 1943? couldn't find his way back until 1961!!! (hehehe!) seriously though, even soldiers in PNG have got lost occasionally, though some suspect a few "greenies" (SP) were responsible.…[Read more]

Hi, Sorry did not revisit site for a while. I know Bob harvey-Hall, lives in Brisbane now and is a member of PNGVR/NGVR association here. Large group, we march in ANZAC day Parades in the City. I think we are the only ex-PNGVR association around Australia: correct if wrong. Bill Guest, – remember the name, trying to place. Kokoda is a good place…[Read more]

Hi, I went on the track while in the PNGVR, standard Army Uniform of the 60's. Floppy hat was said to be better and had 101 uses… last one as a hat! fair dinkum mate, flies were least of my problems. we had a swarm of SWEAT BUGS hang around at the time. they like to drink up sweat from exposed skin. ticklish!!! no-one had a solution though,…[Read more]

I sa Kokoda, the movie too, as I wanted to visualise the experiences on film. I walked part of the track while in the PNGVR, (the descendent of the NGVR, whose members became guides for Aussie troops arriving for the battles to come.) I think it was a film that captured in a nutshell the conditions and experiences those troops had fighting a very…[Read more]