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    Example of a Kokoda Adventure

    WHAT DOES A TYPICAL PROGRAM LOOK LIKE?

    Our connection with PNG runs deep. Our Managing Director has been trekking and living in a coastal village on and off for over 20 years. He is part of the community and has invested in improving the opportunities for his Papuan family and friends in the village. Whatever your reason to visit this amazing place, Adventure Out is there to ensure you maximise your experience. From a guided and supported crossing of the Owen Stanley Range on the Kokoda trail to a village stay with a true local. Below is just an example of what is possible.

    VILLAGE HOMESTAY HOLIDAYS – PAPUA

    Outline

    • PROPOSED NO OF PARTICIPANTS:

      10

    • TIME FRAME:

      7-9 Days on ground

    • PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

      Village Stay Holiday - PNG is an initiative to develop for Papuan women their own small businesses

    Introduction

    Located on the North East coast of Papua New Guinea on the Solomon Sea is Buna Village, site of the closing battles of the Kokoda Campaign in the 1942 of WW II. Buna, Mumuni (near the Kumusi River), Kokoda and Isurava Villages are all significant battle sites from this campaign. Today the ravages of war are not far from view; the savagery of past violent times has softened over time by a tribal culture of many languages and deeply rooted values. The people of PNG embody a living culture with unique diversities, food sourced from subsistence gardens, dance and customs, loving joyous family-based existence. They are secured in part by a strong practicing culture, secured in time now rapidly changing with the influence of the 21st Century.

    Program Itinerary

    • DAY 1

      Adventure Begins

      Arrive Oro Province Girua Airport. Transport is by a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle, it’s a truck) to Buna Village. Travel time is approximately an hour on rough dirt tracks. During our drive to Buna we pass a wrecked WW II bomber on what remains of Doborura airfield, built during late 1942 to accommodate thousands of aircraft for the duration of the war.

      On arrival in Buna a unique traditional experience awaits, a local cultural dance will welcome you with refreshing green coconuts before introduction to your village family sponsors. There’s a vast range of activities and sites in and around the village to visit, or you can take this time to relax and slowly settle into a quiet tropical lifestyle. During your stay in Buna we recommend you visit one of the local family’s bush gardens, the school, medical centre, and the a recently built museum displaying information on the area and its involvement in World War II.

      Buna Village has two parts, Old and New Buna. Old Buna is was rebuilt after being destroyed during the war. New Buna developed post the war to accommodate a growing population.

    • DAY 2 - 3

      Early Morning Start

      Your first morning can start early with a relaxing walk along the black volcanic sandy beaches. The Solomon Seas shoreline is populated with coconut palms and various flowing tropical vegetation. Take a dip in the pleasantly warm waters (temperatures sit around 25c) and see coral, bright and colourful fish, and an environment as near to nature as you’ll find; virtually untouched, without the hustle and bustle of our 21st century lives.

      Experience a fresh, nutritious and healthy diet. Villagers are primarily vegetarian, living mostly from the fresh harvests of their gardens. Over 80% of Papuans live in small villages practising their unique customs and family values, sharing in an unconscious understanding that caring for the land will sustain their future lifestyle. Your village homestay tour will provide a valuable source of funds for the village; enabling mothers to purchase medicine, support their children’s education and procure additional foods such as rice and flour.

      Something to consider! Before you depart Australia, cast your eye about for what you could part with the share with your local village family. Most of us have an excess of ‘stuff’ strewn about the house, these simple gifts will support your homestay families greatly.

    • DAY 4 - 5

      Popondetta Visit

      Travelling by PMV we visit Popondetta, the provincial regional town for Oro Province. This is an opportunity to collect a few items before the 2-hour run up the Kokoda Hwy (!) to Ilimo Village, nestled up against the base of the Owen Stanley Range with nearby volcano Mt Lamington. In January 1951 Mt Lamington erupted, killing approximately 3,000 people, today there is no obvious evidence of the devastation. Awaiting your arrival is a village welcome, introductions to both your homestay family and local villagers. This is a time for you to relax, take in the environment, discover the village, explore the banks of mountain streams, take a refreshing swim in the cool waters, or engage with the always delightful and very enthusiastic village children. Ilimo has a lot to offer.

      Nearby is the fast flowing Kumusi River, in the 1930’s the construction of a wire-suspension bridge was the only crossing point for many months of the year when the river was in flood. In ‘Pidgin’ the common language for Papuans, the locals referred to the bridge as ‘Wairopi’; made of wire rope.
      Towards the end of October and into the first week of November in 1942, the Wairopi Bridge had been destroyed by aerial bombing, with the river in full flood the Japanese set in place a defensive position. Backs against the full force of nature with the Kumusi in raging flood near the villages of Oivi and Gorari, 135 Australian were killed in battle, and over 1,200 Japanese lay dead on the battlefield. The flooding Kumusi also claimed hundreds of lives as the Japanese attempted to escape in the swollen waters.

      Rafting is available in nearby smaller rivers.

    • DAY 5 - 7

      Kokoda Village

      On the afternoon of Day 5 we travel by PMV to Kokoda Village, accommodation is located nearby in a smaller village named The Plantation. Here our local hosts Johnkay and Joycelyn greet and welcome you into their home on the banks of a small mountain stream.

      Kokoda Village was the first significant battle fought against the Japanese in what became a six-month campaign. Outnumbered 10:1 the Australians set a defensive position atop a steep plateau feature to meet the Japanese attack. An impossible task was given to defend the airfield; an order sent from Australia by commanders who did not understand the local situation. Thirty-eight Australians died over several days, both in the defence of the airfield, and in running communications throughout the immediate area. Overwhelmingly outnumbered by a persistent and well-equipped enemy, the local field commanders ordered a fighting withdrawal retreating back up onto the Owen Stanley Range.

      For trekkers, Kokoda is either the beginning or the finish of a gruelling 96km journey across to Ower’s Corner, the southern end of the official Track. Port Moresby is a further 80kms on towards the coast, which is traversed in the comfort of a vehicle.

    • DAY 7

      Return to Port Moresby

      Following a well-earned lunch, we pack for our return to Guria Airport and your return flight back to Port Moresby. Heartfelt farewells and photos are in order before departing Kokoda and exiting the bubble of experience that has formed over the last week.

    • DAY 8 - 9

      Two-Day Optional Extension

      At Plantation Guesthouse, Johnkay provides opportunities for individuals or groups wishing to extend their journey by an extra couple of days. This option exists for those who would like to take up the challenge of hiking to the Isurava battle site; not an easy task and best described and ‘Hard’ to ‘Very Hard’. This option is not for the faint hearted. The first Victoria Cross awarded for bravery on what was considered Australian soil was presented to Pte Bruce Kingbury in a three-day battle at this site. We encourage you to make early enquiries should you be considering this option, Adventure Out will assist and guide you with your training plan and preparations for this 20km round trip extension.

    • DAY 2 - 3

      Early Morning Start

      Your first morning can start early with a relaxing walk along the black volcanic sandy beaches. The Solomon Seas shoreline is populated with coconut palms and various flowing tropical vegetation. Take a dip in the pleasantly warm waters (temperatures sit around 25c) and see coral, bright and colourful fish, and an environment as near to nature as you’ll find; virtually untouched, without the hustle and bustle of our 21st century lives.

      Experience a fresh, nutritious and healthy diet. Villagers are primarily vegetarian, living mostly from the fresh harvests of their gardens. Over 80% of Papuans live in small villages practising their unique customs and family values, sharing in an unconscious understanding that caring for the land will sustain their future lifestyle. Your village homestay tour will provide a valuable source of funds for the village; enabling mothers to purchase medicine, support their children’s education and procure additional foods such as rice and flour.

      Something to consider! Before you depart Australia, cast your eye about for what you could part with the share with your local village family. Most of us have an excess of ‘stuff’ strewn about the house, these simple gifts will support your homestay families greatly.

    • DAY 5 - 7

      Kokoda Village

      On the afternoon of Day 5 we travel by PMV to Kokoda Village, accommodation is located nearby in a smaller village named The Plantation. Here our local hosts Johnkay and Joycelyn greet and welcome you into their home on the banks of a small mountain stream.

      Kokoda Village was the first significant battle fought against the Japanese in what became a six-month campaign. Outnumbered 10:1 the Australians set a defensive position atop a steep plateau feature to meet the Japanese attack. An impossible task was given to defend the airfield; an order sent from Australia by commanders who did not understand the local situation. Thirty-eight Australians died over several days, both in the defence of the airfield, and in running communications throughout the immediate area. Overwhelmingly outnumbered by a persistent and well-equipped enemy, the local field commanders ordered a fighting withdrawal retreating back up onto the Owen Stanley Range.

      For trekkers, Kokoda is either the beginning or the finish of a gruelling 96km journey across to Ower’s Corner, the southern end of the official Track. Port Moresby is a further 80kms on towards the coast, which is traversed in the comfort of a vehicle.

    • DAY 8 - 9

      Two-Day Optional Extension

      At Plantation Guesthouse, Johnkay provides opportunities for individuals or groups wishing to extend their journey by an extra couple of days. This option exists for those who would like to take up the challenge of hiking to the Isurava battle site; not an easy task and best described and ‘Hard’ to ‘Very Hard’. This option is not for the faint hearted. The first Victoria Cross awarded for bravery on what was considered Australian soil was presented to Pte Bruce Kingbury in a three-day battle at this site. We encourage you to make early enquiries should you be considering this option, Adventure Out will assist and guide you with your training plan and preparations for this 20km round trip extension.

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