After re-packing rucksacks for a 4th time the three of us plus our Australian guide Dave headed out to the airport for an early flight to Popondetta, a 40 minute hop over the Owen Stanley Range. We were accompanied by Thomas, who would be our head porter on the trek coming back in the opposite direction. Should anyone still doubt the labours that await you on this route the views of the sharply folded vertiginous terrain below will serve as compelling evidence.
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On arrival we immediately clambered onto a flatbed truck for the 30km trip to town, together with numerous other ‘passengers’. Once in Popondetta, the truck pulled into a supermarket to obtain more provisions. Meanwhile, the four of us visited a nearby open air museum recalling the brutal engagements that took place driving the Japanese from their beachheads at Gona, Sanananda and Buna in early 1943. There is little left however to conjure the scenes of unimaginable horror and depravity that greeted Australian forces, where out of desperation the Japanese had resorted to cannibalism.
On arrival we immediately clambered onto a flatbed truck for the 30km trip to town, together with numerous other ‘passengers’. Once in Popondetta, the truck pulled into a supermarket to obtain more provisions. Meanwhile, the four of us visited a nearby open air museum recalling the brutal engagements that took place driving the Japanese from their beachheads at Gona, Sanananda and Buna in early 1943. There is little left however to conjure the scenes of unimaginable horror and depravity that greeted Australian forces, where out of desperation the Japanese had resorted to cannibalism.
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We then embarked on a 2-hour drive along a barely passable track to old Buna, arriving shortly after midday. Following a short hike along the coast we reached our final destination, new Buna, an idyllic settlement on the beach shore. Rest of the day was spent frequenting ourselves with our new home, followed by a short hike up the coast to stretch the legs and take in some of the beautiful scenery. On our return just before sunset the ‘Village People’ had turned out in local costume to perform for us – an entertaining affair, with Simon and Darren joining in with a disparaging version of ‘Do The Funky Chicken’. After obligatory photo shoot we sat down to dinner, washed down with some cerebral chit-chat.
We then embarked on a 2-hour drive along a barely passable track to old Buna, arriving shortly after midday. Following a short hike along the coast we reached our final destination, new Buna, an idyllic settlement on the beach shore. Rest of the day was spent frequenting ourselves with our new home, followed by a short hike up the coast to stretch the legs and take in some of the beautiful scenery. On our return just before sunset the ‘Village People’ had turned out in local costume to perform for us – an entertaining affair, with Simon and Darren joining in with a disparaging version of ‘Do The Funky Chicken’. After obligatory photo shoot we sat down to dinner, washed down with some cerebral chit-chat.
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