With no electricity for miles around the day began with a soothing dip in the ocean to ‘kill three birds with one stone’ – wash, and flushing of No. 1 & 2 tubes! Following fibre-filled breakfast we then strolled back to old Buna for the morning. Here we got to inspect relics leftover from WWII - all manner of personal and military pariphalanea – which still litters the surrounding jungle. We also visited number of imposing defensive fortifications erected by the Japanese, a still visible sobering testament to their deadly fire power and the resultant heavy casualties inflicted - 1522 Australian dead in a 9-week campaign.
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Following quick chat with the ‘native chaps’ at the local market we guzzled some of the local hooch before then sauntering back to our ‘Hotel’ for lunch. Following another ocean dip we then walked west along the coast to Sanananda. Like Buna the village was relocated after WWII, with the old site (scene of some of the most bitter fighting), lost to the jungle. If anything, the new site is more beautiful that at Buna, with modern amenities available also - showers and sit-down toilet, though no flush. We returned to Buna just before dark for another ocean dip, followed by a very unmemorable dinner, washed down with more banter.
Following quick chat with the ‘native chaps’ at the local market we guzzled some of the local hooch before then sauntering back to our ‘Hotel’ for lunch. Following another ocean dip we then walked west along the coast to Sanananda. Like Buna the village was relocated after WWII, with the old site (scene of some of the most bitter fighting), lost to the jungle. If anything, the new site is more beautiful that at Buna, with modern amenities available also - showers and sit-down toilet, though no flush. We returned to Buna just before dark for another ocean dip, followed by a very unmemorable dinner, washed down with more banter.
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