12 May 2025
Annabelle writes "For me, walking the Kokoda Trail was more than just a physical challenge, it was an emotional, spiritual and cultural journey that has changed my view of the world and myself. Through mud, mountains and moments of exhaustion, I met the most selfless, resilient people I’ve ever known. Jacob and Warren, two of our porters, showed me the true meaning of strength, not through loud words or grand gestures but through a sort of quiet kindness, deep care and endless support. We honoured the legacy of soldiers who gave their lives, stood where they once stood, and remembered their sacrifices not to glorify war, but to understand freedom. Around fires and beneath the rain soaked skies, we shared stories of love, loss and dreams, discovering that despite having so little, the people of Papua New Guinea live with a richness we often forget to seek, gratitude, community and pure joy. Kokoda forced me to confront who I am and who I want to become. It reminded me of what really matters, people, purpose, and perspective. This experience wasn’t just something I did, it became a part of me. And though I walked away covered in mud, sick to the smell of myself and sore to the bone, I also walked away grounded, more grateful, and deeply changed. The words of a fellow trekker will keep me thinking for years to come, “Don’t let Kokoda be a wasted experience. Everything you felt, everything you saw, it was a sign. Now you have to figure out what it meant, and how you’ll carry it forward”. Thank you to my sponsors and my family for giving me this opportunity.
