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Hey badger / Tony,
We stayed at the Gateway and they look after passport,cash etc in an envelope that you sign in/out and is put in their safe
As for baggage it was stored in a luggage room which took awhile to get back as nothing happens quickly at the hotel – like I said PNG time
I would imagine that everything would be safe in the luggage room but best to put valuables in their safe
Cant speak for other hotels in Moresby but they probably have similar arrangements
Take enough cash on the trail for cans of coke, twisties,etc and for a few bevvies/pizza at orohaven
Try to take small notes to pay for the cans of coke – it varies in price along the track…
Cheers Shane
Go Warren!!
Pick the right path through the swamp today mate!
And good luck with "The Wall" tomorrow
Everyone here in Adelaide keeping an eye on your progress
Just think of those well earned cold SP's at the end!!
Cheers Shane
Trek 744 Naoro to Agulogo – Swamp.JPGGo Warren – or Wazzdog – from all the Monday night Pushing Performance training group
Glad you got to see the crows win on the Gold Coast before your trek
Stay strong and take it one step at a time
Cheers Shane
Hi again Badger,
Just looked at what is included in the package with kokoda trekking and it says that you are met at the airport – transfered to Bomana to visit the cementry – and then taken to Sogeri lodge for your 1st nights accomodation. Sogeri lodge is on the way to Owers Corner so you would not be staying Moresby at all. Of course you can stay in any hotel you want and I'm sure they would organise your transfer to the hotel and then pick up for the trek. Hope Gail respond to you soon – I'm sure she is busy.
Another aspect to consider is that Kokoda trekking put up photos and updates about how the trek is going for family and friends to monitor at home. You can send messages of support to trekkers as well and they are passed on. And I also believe they carry GPS trackers as well as satellite phones so that should ease your families/friends security concerns as well.
Cheers Shane
Hi Badger
Since no one has replied so far I will reply with my own experience with another trekking company
I trekked in 2009 with a group organised by the Adelaide Crows AFL club
Our trip was organised by flight centre and we trekked with another company which I wont mention here
But from following this forum since my trek I believe Kokoda trekking will organise the transfer safely to whatever hotel/accomodation you choose
I think from memory they use Sogeri Lodge if you are trekking Owers – Kokoda which is just out of Moresby and very safe
My own trek – To start it takes a long time to get through Immigration/Customs at Pt Moresby – get used to it as it is your 1st taste of PNG time
We then collected our bags / exchanged some Kina and waited until everyone was through and got on a couple of buses
We stayed at the Gateway Hotel and yes it is a compound with guards/barbwire but dont let any of this put you off.
It is very expensive to stay there from memory $250+
We ate at the hotel that night and didnt leave to go anywhere but the night before your trek all you want to do is prepare yourself mentally/ double check equipment,etc. I wouldn't advise a night on the grog as the humidity probably is already kicking your rse.
We were transfered to Owers by 2 buses and yes you see people walking along with machetes but once again it is a PNG thing you get used to. A quick stop at Bomana cementry to pay your respect and off to Owers corner.
Then of course your trek – good luck and I hope you do choose to do it – there is no security worries at all on the trek – the villagers rely on trekkers income in part so they are not going to spoil this by creating problems on the track.
At the Kokoda end Kokoda trekking have their camp/resort which is a god send to tired trekkers. We were due to fly out in the morning but some delays meant we went to the resort for wood fired pizzas and beers – it is an excellent facility and no problems with security. I think with Kokoda trekking you stay overnight and then are driven to Pompodetta to fly back to Moresby.
We had an overnight in moresby again after the trek at the Gateway and we also went to the Moresby yacht club – again plenty of security there for the Expats. Moresby is not somewhere you walk around freely by yourself but the night before and after your trek you are hardly going to be wanting to sightsee. Moresby is simply a "transit" town for your trek.
I really hope the security aspect doesn't put you off trekking. Remember that no trekking company will put their clients in any danger – it just isn't in their interest if they want to stay in business. Even though I have not trekked with Kokoda Trekking they seem to me to be an excellent company and it is a little disappointing that they haven't replied back yet.
I have a friend who starts his trek today with them so I can ask him his experiences when he gets back if you want.
Cheers Shane
Jason
It sounds like a good project to work on so good luck with it.
Have a look at other forum topics on this site for the number of walkers. They keep exact numbers of how many permits are issued = number of trekkers on the track each month. I believe Gail (who runs this site and owns and runs Kokoda Trekking/ Orohaven Resort from PNG) may be able to help you out with this. Last time I saw number of trekkers was in a newsletter on this forum site and it lists number of trekkers each month going back 10 years if I remember right.
Sustainable tourism is always a tricky subject. If something becomes too popular and "touristy" it risks being spoilt in my opinion. Not enough tourists and you risk a degradation in services,etc and a further downturn in tourist numbers.
I think you need to look at why people walk the track in the 1st place. This varies from honouring a family member who served in PNG, wanting to honour those who fought for our country, walking in a beautiful country on what is regarded as the 3rd most challenging trek in the world, wanting to challenge yourself, walking for a charity group,etc The reasons vary but they all lead us to being a "tourist" on the track. I walked the track last year with a group from the Adelaide Crows including Roo and Bassett (being from Golden Grove you should know them!) so I had a number of motivations. We were raising money, challenging ourselves mentally and physically and emotionally and also hanging out with our football idols.
You really have to walk the track and experience PNG 1st hand to realise that trekkers play a vital role in the PNG economy. Firstly the trekking companies employ young men from the villages along/near the track to carry food, equipment and trekkers (heavy) backpacks. The money they receive for this is sometimes the only money their family (and sometimes whole village) receives so it supports a large group of people. Secondly the villages trekkers pass through are supported by the trekker buying much appreciated bananas, cans of coke,etc so more money flows into the villages. Thirdly huts are built in villages along the track that the trekking companies pay for trekkers to use. So no trekkers – no money for either of these factors.
Next you need to look at the facilities and services set up to support trekkers along the track. Sanitation, communication and other facilities have been painstakingly built to support trekkers along the track. These also benefit the villagers so it is a win-win situation to keep these maintained. But it is still a delicate balance about how far do you develope these facilities. Build a "bitumen" pathway for trekkers to walk on and the whole experience gets spoilt (and wouldnt last a week anyway in the wet season)
Without the trekkers the men employed by the trekking company would have little to do and fall into the sort of lifestyle of those in Port Moresby and kokoda village. Alcohol and drugs are an unfortunate distraction in these places. So the social impact of cash flowing in from the trekkers also plays a part.
Also trekkers support the Port Moresby economy by staying in (over priced!!) hotels before and after their treks. Hotel, cleaning, security staff are employed by these hotels so more money flows into family groups. Not many trekkers stay on for a longer stay in Port Moresby as it tends to be a little "seedy" unfrotunately.
Hope some of this helps Jason. I do believe trekking the kokoda track is a good form of sustainable "tourism" and I hope it grows in a managed way so the experience is not spoilt. If you get the chance to walk the track you won't regret it – it really is an experience of your lifetime.
Cheers Shane
Well done fluppy!
And to Mr Fluppy as well – I think he was trekking as well as I can remember from 1 topic discussion
Any idea how he went Gail?
As to the Orohaven retreat I trekked with another company for a charity trek. We had a flight delay and were lucky enough to "discover" the delights of cold beer and pizza at this excellent looking facility. I would imagine it would be wonderful to wake up in one of the huts after a celebratory night at the end of your trek. Going the other way it would be your last taste of "civilised" living for the next 7 days!!
It is a pity there is such a rivilary as there now seems to be enough trekkers to support a facility such as Orohaven. One of the leaders from my trekking company was surprised at how much the facilities had improved since their last visit – and this was before the chickens,etc were brought in!
Eating wood fired pizza and drinking a cold SP at Orohaven at the end of my trek will live with for a long while.
Well done again fluppy and looking forward to hearing about your trek.
Editor's Note: Assume he too completed his trek otherwise she would have mentioned this. I only had a small window of time to talk with her as she was about to walk up the steps of the plane when the guy I was talking to at the airport caught up with her.
Fluppy
Looks pretty good so far. I freaked out when I saw how much gear I had as well. I always err on the side of caution and pack too much – so packing for the trek for me was extremely difficult. I always add in "just in case" items when packing for normal holidays. Unfortunately you do not have this luxury for kokoda.
Remember that you need some room in your pack for your porters gear. I carried my own pack so every gram counted and was felt twice as heavy on the track. You will be carrying your day pack with your water and snacks and some 1st aid stuff so that will take some gear out of your main pack. I noticed several things that I will add my suggestions.
Gaiters – I saw no mention of them or pics – you will need them even if you only get small ones. A guy on our trek did not wear them and got mud in his boots going through the swamp. He ended up getting trench foot (like the diggers got) and has red pussy feet by the end of the trek – he was lucky to finish.
I-poo – shovel not needed – plenty of drop toilets along the way.
Bandaid spray – I took exactly the same spray – used it when I scrapped my knee – very useful.
Salt – for leeches – not needed didn't see any.
Icepack – probably not needed
Wouldn't bother with the previous mentioned 3-legged stool – impractical and not needed.
As for your soduku/ipod and cards – whatever helps you relax at the end of the day and doesn't weigh too much – take it.
MTV
I can only comment about the Gateway hotel but there are several others that trekking companies use. I would imagine that the pre and post trek accomodation should be booked by your trekking company as part of your package – if not I would start to be concerned. The Gateway is close to the airport so it is very convenient for catching flights. It is a clean comfortable hotel with good security. Has a nice restaurant/bar and a refreshing pool to relax by with a cold SP. It is expensive so you will probably end up sharing with someone else from your trekking group but that is all part of the bonding experience. It also helps to have someone else in your room to go over your gear as well the night beofre.
As for the lockers,passports etc – read the other link about "Gateway Hotel Lockers" – it has plenty of advice for you but it applies to the Gateway hotel only.
cheers shane
Fluppy
Your passport will be secure at the Gateway – it gets locked in the Managers safe along with wallets/other valuables. Extra baggage and clothing can be left in their baggage room which is not quite as secure but safe enough.
Just remember to go down to reception with plenty of time as you are on PNG time and it may take a little while to organise it all. And when you return triumphantly after your trek it will probably take longer to get it back – especially annoying when all you want to do is have a shower – change into clean clothes and get to the bar to celebrate. Just remember it is all part of the experience.
Getting a room key may also take a while at times. I can recommend the restaurant at the Gateway as your "last supper" as they do an excellent buffet.
You trek is close now so recheck the gear you are taking. If everyone had the hindsight not to take as much as they did on the trek the porters (or more importantly you) would be carrying light bags.
Good luck
Cheers shane
Snacks – I took snakes- for odd casual scoff, energy bars – for after particularly hard hills or at major breaks and also nuts – great for a casual scoff as well as a salt top up. But I would suggest to take what YOU like to snack on. Nothing like a quick snake to boost your energy and morale for me.
On drinking water I took both Endura and Gatorade powder to mix in. The Endura has magnesium in it to prevent muscle cramping but it is alot more expensive than gatorade or staminade. You can purchase it from cycle shops or fitness centres. But make sure you train with what you will drink on the track.
The fruit you can buy in the villages is fantastic and there is nothing like a can of coke to pick you up quickly. I have never drunk as much of the stuff as I did on the track. Be aware prices vary along the track form 5-7 kina for a bunch bananas/ can of coke.
Several people from my trek took in dried fruit without a problem. Customs was a breeze at that end as they recognise trekkers and pretty much flick you through.
You can get 5 Kina notes to use on the track at the currency exchange in the baggage area but get in quick as they don't usually have many. Also make sure you have the correct Kina for your visa on arrival. You can get teh Visa before you go but if you are travelling with a group like I was there was no point as we had to wait for everyone anyway. Got off track there but hope that helps
MTV – good luck with your trek.
Gaters are a must have. A guy on our trek did not have them (And Don is tough as old nails and wanted to slog it out the old fashioned army way) but he suffered when going through "The Swamp". Mud got into his boots in the swamp and he ended up getting swamp foot or trench foot – like the diggers did in the trenches in both WW. (The swamp is 2.5 hours of walking in ankle->knee deep mud before "The Wall")
The end result was two red swollen infected feet that oozed puss by the end of the trek. Not pretty to look at and he was in agony but he got thru – just. So please make sure you take them.
Poles – from my experience of carrying my own pack you definitely need poles. They are absolutely vital especially when going down hill to keep you from going a/up. You will be thanking them everyday for saving you from slipping over. The back up is to get the porters to cut you a pole from the saplings all around the place but then you are cutting down what you are going over to enjoy walking thru – not that I am a greenie or anything.
Also the poles give you the option to lengthen or shorten the poles according to if you are going up/down hill. And buy as expensive as you are able. I know that sounds like an ad for the manufacturers but we had multiple pole failures – 90% from the cheaper brands.
The leatherman is a good idea but makes sure you are not in a group of 20 people that has 20 leathermans – you really only need 1 or 2. I used one of the groups for pole repairs – yes I had a cheaper one!! Take your own leatherman if it adds a comfort factor but remember you will feel every extra gram added and curse it at times.
The bladder situation – I had a pack without a bladder compartment and I simply hung them on either side of the pack by clips. I then used the pack cover to cover over the pack and them to keep them secure. Worked a treat. And they are easier to access when it comes time to fill up – instead of burrowing into your pack to get them out.
Hope this helps
Hi all
This scheme is called the TRS – Tourist Refund Scheme
BUT despite it being called tourist refund scheme it also applies to Aust residents going o/seas on holidays
Basically you have to spend over $300 (easy with trekking gear)
Spend over $300 in the 1 shop – have it all on 1 invoice
And you have to purchase the item(s) in the last 30 days before your travel
And you may need to present the items to a Customs Officer when making your claim upon departing the country – there are TRS booths at all major airports in Aust after you clear immigration/customs (in the departure lounge)You can get more info from Customs website – not taxation.
It's not really handy for trekking stuff like boots as you need to wear them in more than just 30 days. Alot of people buy cameras and you can get the GST refunded on them if they are over the $300.
Be aware though that you may need to pay duty/GST on return to Australia if you spend over $900 on items o/seas.
Best bet is to go to the Customs website for a brochure called "Know before you go"
Hope this helps
Pacman77
Have to agree with EveG queries/concerns.
Kokoda is not a simple walk in the park that you can go into without thorough preparation. At least 6 months of training and preparation is vital to ensure that you are not choppered out on the 2nd day!
I would hate to see your enthusiasm for the track turn into disappointment from not completing it.
Please read some of the other forum topics for help with your preparation before setting off.
