Day 5 - Diggers Crossing to Efogi 1

Early start from Diggers after a quick breakfast. Great view of Kagi (right), Naduri (centre) and Efogi 2 along the track (see above)

Above is Russell from the Peregrine tour about to tackle a hill. He is in his late 60s and managed the tough sections quite well.

The airstrip at Naduri.

Looking over Naduri towards Kagi, It looks close, but there is a very deep valley between Naduri and Kagi with the Kalui river at bottom. We ended up not being able to walk over to Kagi as the bridge had been washed out overnight.

Andrew and I meeting the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel in Naduri. He is one of the last remaining Fuzzies still alive from the war (there is another in Menari but I am told he is not an original). They help evacuate wounded australian soldiers during the war. He is said to be over 100 years old. His son reads out some of the history of his father.

A very steep drop into and climb out of the Efogi river crossing between Menari and Efogi.
The picture above gives you an idea of how steep the ravine is. We were climbing up the other side on hands and knees !

 The log crossing at Efogi River. The river was running very strong following the past few nights rains. We setup the rope to make it easier to cross the slippery log.

Taking a well earned (and needed) break after climbing up from the Efogi River.

Looking down the valley at the village of Efogi. Nearly there !

We arrived at Efogi at about 11.30 am. Gave us the rest of the day to look around the village and wash up.

Andrew enjoying a coke (warm) at Efogi. The coke tastes real good after drinking nothing but water for the day. It is also helpful having the 2000 kilojoule energy hit from same

A plane taking off from the 500 metre airstrip at Efogi. Amazing seeing these planes take off. The runway runs level for the 500 metres, then drops off sharply. Planes land by flying up the valley, land uphill and roll out onto the level portion of the runway...quite a skilled pilot required !!!!

Looking down the 500m level part of the runway. The Australian government is funding additional works to extend the runway some 200 metres by year end. This will make it much safer to land and take off !

The aircraft took off off at 1.30pm in the afternoon. It was carrying the two school teachers from Efogi back to Port Moresby. The local villagers brought their produce (bananas and chocko) down to the airstrip waiting for the aircraft to come back and pick up their cargo. They sat there talking all afternoon but the aircraft did not return !

Whilst sitting with  the villagers at the airstrip, some porters from KTL walked past. Andrew asked them to sing a song for us. lo and behold, they dropped their packs and started singing for us....beautiful!

KTL Porters Singing at Efogi airstrip - Kokoda Trail from Rick Klink on Vimeo.

Village children playing marbles in Efogi.

Our bed in Efogi. Nice to have a mat on the rough timber floors. I am always worried our self inflating airmats will spring a leak. Would be hard to sleep on hard floor for test of trip !  The guest house is owned by tony's sister.

A small museum at Efogi.

Washing clothes at a creek behind Efogi. Andrew and I both only had one set of clothes for day time. Was great washing them every few days to keep the sweat smell down ;-).

A power bath to go with the clothes wash !

Dinner in Efogi. Tony's sister cooked us up a great feed. Noodles, roasted sweet potatoe, fried banana and chocko.