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So as you know i have been wanting to work on some of my fears this year and conquer little things before I go off travelling this year. Lots of little adventures rather than one big one like Kokoda. Most people know I have been learning to ride a bike but I will leave that for another post another day. Lets go over one of the other things I have been working on. Getting over my fear of Rollercoasters. I have always had the fear, but my size just gave me an easier excuse, one that meant i didn’t have to admit I had a fear.

The thought of putting myself into the rollercoaster, where I was at risk of dying (or so my mind told me) was just over powering. But because the harnesses wouldn’t fit me, I didnt have to worry about it. But now that there is the new sized mal, I don’t have that excuse anymore. I can fit in the harness, so now I either admit I have a fear of something so silly, or I work through it. I won’t say that I will ever be not afraid of them, but hell, I will be able to go on them without turning into a heaping mess.

I think this last weekend has done some good that way. With a group of friends heading up from interstate wanting to hit the theme parks for a weekend, and my friend Daniella visiting from Germany it was a perfect chance to work on this fear. So i told my friends, do not give me an excuse to not go on a ride. I can’t say no to any ride (although I should of said no to the lethal weapon cause my head still hurts). So saturday rolled around, we hit movieworld and first up was Batwing Spaceshot. Like a reverse Giant Drop. You get shot up and then fall back down again. It was ok, line was mega short (we were on pretty much straight away). I was nervous as you would expect, but I sucked it up. Getting shot up was ok, it was those few seconds of weightlessness as you come back down again that freaked me out! They seemed to last for ever!!

Next up, Superman the Escape. A traditional rollercoaster (no loops thank god). Pretty fast from when you see it, but the line was huge (pretty much an hour wait). But I tell you what, the speed didnt affect me much. It was the drops. God damn they were high and they were STEEP! looking down at that hill just scared the crap out of me!

After that we did Lethal Weapon. This is the one that freaked me out the most. It has loops, and thats one thing I have never really liked. Going upside down has always freaked me out. So my friends dragged me on it. They failed to warn me that I was going to be thrown about inside the seat like a pin ball with my head banging side to side constantly. Hurt like a sun of a bitch! Scooby Doo coaster was the last of the big ones that I had to combat and it was so much fun, loved every minute of it.

Then after night out on the town on the Coast saturday night and finding out that I am a Cadbury now (2 drinks and i was fucked!). Daniella & I went to Seaworld on sunday. She had told me she wanted to swim with dolphins while she was over here and since they offer it at Seaworld, I thought, why the hell not. So I did it to! Amazing experience, words can’t describe how much fun it is. Then we had a good chance to check out all the stuff at Seaworld before spending an afternoon over riding the Jet Rescue Coaster 4 times in a Row. Love that rollercoaster. So much fun. Its fast and it flicks you side to side, curve after curve, awesome!

So all in all, it was an awesome weekend. I loved it! Definately put a good dint in that fear. I don’t think i will ever be able to get rid of that fear, but it sure wont control me now thats for sure.

Theme Park Weekend

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Ok well most people i know, know that I don’t know how to ride a bike. As shown in the ACA interview, its something I want to conquer. Well It has begun. The big challenge for me this year. Learning to ride a bike.

Last sunday I bought my first ever helmet. It was a bit daunting as I had no idea what to do, for something so simple to. I mean its just a bike helmet. Thousands are sold world wide every day. But I had no idea what I was doing and just decided to grab what looked like a good colour, had the right standards things, and also was pretty cheap. You may now probably think “why buy something cheap to protect your head” well my thoughts at the moment are. I may not enjoy riding a bike, if I am not going to buy one, why would i need a decent expensive helmet when the plain cheap ones do the same thing. Because if I do enjoy it, then I will buy a bike and a decent helmet worth every cent. But till that time, I will just use what I have.

On Tuesday I had my first lesson with Andy. Yeah i’m back doing PT but this time only 30 mins a week and I am paying for this time. But it was good. I am slowly getting used to it. I have not yet started to pedal or anything, just slowly getting my balance on the bike, one little step at a time! I did a bit more this morning and some more tomorrow morning after i do some weights. The more I do the longer I spend, the better it will be!

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Well as most of you know I was approached by ACA back in September about my story etc. I did all the taping about 2 weeks after coming back from Kokoda and it was just after getting over a massive stomach bug that had me off work for about a week.

Well it went to Air last night and here is the link for those that havent seen it yet.

A Current Affair Website – Bigmal’s Triumph

I hope you all enjoy!

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So Life has been pretty good lately. Start of the month went really well, managed to keep myself nice and happy with the way i ate at the christmas party. It was a good night to, everyone all dressed up, I was wearing my nice suit (which i really do thank Vanessa @ Always Habit for helping me out there) and got heaps of compliments on it!

Been managing my food pretty well but unfortunately went down 3kg over the last week and that was probably due to not thinking properly over the last few weeks with snacks etc and working out to much so im still juggling all of that each and every day, but thats the new goal for the new year, maintain the weight loss and keep it off. I can tell that I am slowly putting on some muscle as I can feel myself getting stronger. Managed to do some good heavy weights this morning and could definately see my performance increasing (mind you my arms are killing right now).

I had also been planning for a while to get a new Crumpler bag for work. As most of you know, I love crumpler. But i wanted a new bag that was custom made so that it would be about the whole transition of my life etc over the last year. Unfortunately to order a Custom Bag I would need to fly down to Melbourne or Sydney before the new year to get one etc and couldn’t justify the costs etc on top of the normal bag. However yesterday i was in the Crumpler store picking up a small piece for my laptop and checking out their new range of bags (for shits and giggles) when i saw this amazing looking bag in the window. I asked them about it and he told me that it was a custom made Complete Seed and they were selling off some of the random custom designs they had before the Custom Bag Stores close. I was ecstatic, i loved the design and I had to have it! So i bought it!

As for trip planning, things are pretty much done. Only france left to go with all of asia organised now and booked. France will probably be planned in the new year as I am going to hopefully be accompanied by my friend Yena. Who is going to join me in Normandy for some history!

Hopefully!

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I get asked a lot how i lost all the weight and what are some good tips to be able to help be healthy or lose weight.

So I thought I would put some of those tips up on the blog. For everyone to see.

1. Being healthy is a mix of both eating and exercise. you can’t have one without the other. No point.
2. Exercise is worth the effort. It may hurt, it may feel like crap but after a while it will become fun. Choose something you enjoy doing. If you like walking, go for walks, if you like riding a bike, ride a bike. But if your trying to lose weight, twice a day was my best tip for how often to exercise (at least 30-45 mins each session).
3. Cut out the alcohol. It is just not worth it. I made that decision early on that there is no point in drinking back on my hard work. So its gone (apart from the occasional drink).
4. Eat plenty of vegies. Non Starchy vegetables. Nothing beats a salad made of Roasted Pumpkin, Eggplant, Zucchini and Capsicum with a bit of Rocket dressed with Lemon Juice and Chilli. Simple, low fat and absolutely delicious.
5. Use your head when you cook. Do you really need all that oil on things? Do you really need that extra portion of carbs or that double amount of protein.
6. Eat wholegrains instead of those crappy processed foods. If your wanting some rice, eat brown or basmatti. Some noodles, use Soba Noodles (buckwheat, absolutely yum cold in a salad). Wanting to use pasta, wholemeal or durham wheat pasta. But just remember to use a small amount of carbs. 1/2 cup of rice or 1 cup of pasta is enough. If your having breads, what about wholemeal, rye or multi grain (i prefer rye). With cereals stick to Bran or Wholegrain Cereal (i like all bran, sultana bran, just right or uncle tobys plus).
7. Its ok to treat yourself, but be smart. A deep fried mars bar is not a treat, thats just dumb.
8. Don’t skip meals. Skipping doesn’t allow your body to process everything properly, your metabolism wont function and you will feel worse. Eat 3 x meals a day and several snacks. This allows your body to keep working. While I was losing weight it was 3 meals a day with 2 or 3 snacks. Now its 3 meals a day with 5 or 6 snacks.
9. Diet Jelly is AWESOME. It is on my eat as much as you like list. Aeroplane Diet Jelly has flavour, tastes great and it makes for a fantastic guilt free sweet snack.
10. Cut out the full sugar soft drinks. Diet Soft drinks are fine but i dont like drinking lots of them. Aspartamine is fine, dont believe the whole “you will get cancer” myth. I have read lots of articles which state it is ok. If you want something fizzy to drink, go for a Mineral Water. Its just water, has loads of fizz and tastes great imo. I prefer that when i go out at night with friends. Squeeze of lemon and its awesome.
11. Seek some help. There is no harm in going and seeing a professional. I had help with a trainer and a nutritionist. Without them I wouldnt of been able to do any of what i have accomplished.
12. Most of all. Don’t give up. It’s not easy. But if you stick with it, gut out the tough times you will be rewarded.

Remember, The Only Easy Day was Yesterday.

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So… it has been 11 months since I first started this big big journey of mine. It was not an easy first morning for me. But 11 months later I still feel sometimes like im struggling but I could never think I could do the things I do now.

In the last 11 months I have lost 85kg, managed to Run 10km non stop, Trekked 96km through some of the harshest country on earth and do it all with a smile (at times). I enjoy running now, I enjoy hiking. Things I never thought I would ever say. I really do enjoy going for a run, its a good way to switch off, concentrate on my breathing listen to my cadence (which if you have any military cadence let me know cause i need some new stuff).

It has been an amazing journey, I do not regret any decisions I have made over this time. I have made some new friends, met heaps of new people, inspired others and found a whole heap of self confidence in myself. I still feel wierd looking at myself in the mirror or in photos as its just not me.

But now reality has to set in. Now that I’ve accomplished so much and have changed my entire life I need to settle in for the next big challenge. I need to settle into a normal life routine now. So goodbye car park at work and your $450 a month pricetag. Goodbye twice a day work outs, goodbye thinking about diet diet diet. I am still going to the gym once a day but now I am working to make muscle, have fun and stay fit. I am really enjoying the program I am doing at the gym at the moment (pity it finishes next week). But its awesome none the less. I have a whole new wardrobe and life feels good.

Everyone asks me what the next goal is. I guess there isnt really a goal as such. I wanna get out over the next year or so and do the things I never thought I could really do. First on that list is white water rafting. Ive always wanted to do it, just never did. Now I can and I fly out friday! Can’t wait. There a heap of things I want to do on my next trip around the world which I will put up the list. While not a “bucket list” of sorts its more a Trip Wish list.

But now I really need to get some sleep. I have to be up at 430am!

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Some times it feels like I am never at home. Was in Melbourne over the weekend on Famil with Tourism Vic and had a fantastic time. It was so good to be travelling again, checking out hotels, doing a bit of plane spotting in the terminal etc. Loved it!

Next month I am on the road again as well, I am off to Cairns to go white water rafting with my sister. This is a time where i can do the things I never thought I would do. I guess these are gonna be my little challenges for a while. So to start wth will be White Water Rafting, then learning to ride a bike, learning to kayak, probably Abseiling/Rock Climbing (when i get some arm strength) all those adventure activities I never thought I would be able to do.

Still trying to tick some stuff off my bucket list but unfortunately it will be a while till it starts getting ticked off. I dont think i will ever add a bungy jump etc to the list cause im not that crazy. My leave got approved for my next big trip so sometime in the next week that trip will start to develop and will keep everyone up to date as it goes along.

I have also had a few weeks of maintaining weight (apart from losing 1.5kg while I was away which im not to happy about) but its been good. I swear i feel like im constantly eating. All the time! But thats the way i need to be going, graze graze graze!

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Well its been a month now since I set foot in Kokoda. I had updated last week but it seems something happened and the post never went online :/ Pity really. Been a few big weeks since I got back. I was all good for the first few days, then I started getting some really bad stomach pains and other symptons. I was having random fevers at night. But I stuck it out a day or two. Managed to get myself to the doctors the friday after we got back and the doctor told me in his words “I think you have malaria” I freaked out. But turns out I didn’t thank god. But he tells me this after 3 blood tests in 4 days. Damn him. Turns out I bought back some random stomach thing from PNG. O wells… got me out of work for a week!

In other news, A Current Affair has taken on a story about me. They were given a bit of a heads up about all my weight loss from my nutritionist. One the wednesday after I got back they approached me asking if I would be a part of it and if I would do it. I said yes. There has been a hell of a lot of filming for it (over 3 seperate days) but It was definately worth it. I enjoyed every minute of it. Although the big one on one interview was nerve racking I made it through ok. I am constantly getting asked how much I am getting paid for it, but the answer is nothing. I am not in it for the money. I am in it to pass on some inspiration to other people. I was given a push to help me get out there and do something about it all, and I am hoping that my story will be the push for other people. Just hope that no one recognises me to much when I go out.

The last week has been good though, I am back at work and enjoying it. Each day is a new day in my life and each day brings with it new suprises and challenges. Have managed to keep pushing myself each and every day. The weight bottomed out after the week off sick at 88.7kg. But I was back up to 89kg and now comes the new journey of maintaining that weight (or around that weight). Who knows what the future will bring!

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Kokoda Track Map

Day 1 – Brisbane to Port Moresby
It all begins today. Woke up with the usual nerves I get before any trip. Try to make my mind go into a normal routine. Stop, think and go slow. Don’t rush and work logically. Force myself to eat breakfast and hope to clear out my emails before leaving. Internet down, which means no TV distraction either as Foxtel is out as well. Lock up the house and make sure all good. Taxi turning up early is a good sign and on the way with ease. At the airport right on time and all good. Nerves slightly less for the moment.
Easy check in and move down to immigration slowly. The lady does a double take, looking at my passport which I expected. All this distracting me and keeping my nerves low. Getting to the duty free and out again once stopped that’s where the nerves kick in. Mind going a million miles a minute and trying to understand what is really going on. Flight went off well, not a single problem and the service was fine. Reminded me of Norfolk Air so much.

Once on the ground in Port Moresby, reality hit pretty hard. I was actually here and there was no going back. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. Brian and Kila met us at the airport so that was a good distraction. Things are so different over here. The hotel was right near the airport and had amazing views. But looking around, the hotel feels out of place. It’s luxury in surroundings you don’t expect. We got out packs and started to pack them. This was less problematic and less Nazi than expected. We aren’t really carrying much, just a few clothes and bits and pieces. I saw the ration pack and this is where my mind went crazy. So much food. I don’t think I would have eaten so much a year ago. But I was under orders to eat everything and I will. Each and every thing in that bag, snacking a lot. We had dinner and a few drinks (still no booze) and chatted about what was going to happen over the new few days. We retired early as it was going to be a very early morning tomorrow.

Day 2 – Port Moresby to Popondetta to Hoi
Up early this morning and outside for a pick up to the Airport. We were to fly to Popondetta and then by truck to Kokoda. I have to get used to “Track Time” as it is a lot of “Hurry up and Wait”. Thankfully after the charter airline crash we are flying Air Niugini to Popondetta and this meant a nice comfortable Dash 8. My first time. What an awesome way to get my spotting Trinity on this trip. We flew a new Q400. A short 20 minute flight and we were in Popondetta. This was my first short field landing in a non jet aircraft and it was a little more violent than expected. Once on the ground we were into the back of a truck and onto Popondetta Township to pick up some water.

We figured the ride wouldn’t be long in the truck. WRONG. It was a good 4 hours of bone jarring, spine nudging, bouncing in the back of the track. It was not comfortable at all. It was around 1230 by the time we got into Kokoda. By god it was amazing to finally be here but yet there wasn’t much there at all. We finally ate our first meal of the day after missing breakfast. There was a Peanut Chocolate Slab in the pack and dear god that was amazing. My first taste of chocolate in such a long time. God yes. We had lunch in the guest house at Kokoda, which is essentially a hut with a table and chairs. We set off onto the track. Only a short day today, 5km to Hoi. It was a nice introduction to the track, an easy start. Enjoyed it. Once we got into Hoi it was getting used to camp life. Wash in a steam, ring out clothes and hang them out on the line at the end of the tent and then settle down to some dinner, some talking and hopefully a good night’s sleep. Dinner was Dehy 101. I failed this class. My meal was a little crunch, it was gross, but add Tabasco and it was edible. It amazes me how much food I can eat, I just can’t get over it. Hopefully tonight I can sleep. Brian taught us a few words of Pidgin today.
Mi Now – I’m ok, ok, yes
Lik Lik – Little
Pikinini – Child
Sweet Biscuit – Man who likes men (Andy)
Meri – Woman
Kakaruk – Chicken
Balus – Plane

Day 3 – Hoi to Isurava Memorial
Sleep was not easy. I must have been on a few rocks. But everything was muddy, yippee. We had breakfast early (6am) before heading off around 7am. We were doing the biggest hill at the start of our 2nd day on the track. It was up & up & up. First break at Deniki, 2nd by a waterfall, 3rd somewhere I forget. We stopped at the top of the hill at Isuravua before a nice long break. It was a fantastic lunch, lots of laughs and genuine good feelings. It was so good to rest. Even though we weren’t moving fast it wasn’t easy.

It was rough going in some places but once at the top it was fine. After lunch we moved to the Isuravua memorial. This was harder for me as my back was starting to hurt. I was sliding all over the place. Andy saved my butt several times over. We stayed tonight at the memorial and it was such an amazing view. We were camped on the side of the hill overlooking this amazing valley. We had a relaxing afternoon compared to what I expected. Dinner was more laughs and stories. More trading and good times.
I am enjoying it but worried as well that it is Day 2 of 8 out here and I may not make it. We told our stories tonight and as expected I was up first. After mine and Andy’s stories it was off to bed. Early rise tomorrow.

Day 4 – Isuravua to Templetons Crossing 2
It’s late (8pm), I’m tired so this will be short. I wanted to pack it in after today. 12 hours of this fucking shit. That’s right 12 hours on the track. I was ready to pack it in when we walked into camp covered in mud head to toe. Just totally over it. It was going ok till lunch. My back was doing just fine but this afternoon’s 3 hours took us 4.5 hours. FUCK IT. I did stack it today, Ass down which makes it 2 now. I need to calm down and just get it done. No more cranky pants, focus, calm, on my feet. It’s raining again right now so sleep is beckoning.

Day 5 – Templetons Crossing 2 to 1900
Today was as tough a day mentally as yesterday. Today started off looking ok but went downhill quickly. I had swapped to fresh underwear & socks to help combat the “sads”. But the rain came hard so the socks were not dry for long. But the problem was as we got higher and higher to the top of Mt Bellamy it got old. The rain came down hard and there was just mud everywhere. Up, down, left, right it was all over at one point before our morning smoko. We stopped and it felt like someone stabbed me over and & over in the back. It was unbearable. Brian gave me a tablet to get through the pain and then Andy took my entire pack off me for about 15 mins. Then when we had a break at Templetons Crossing 1, I got the pack back with nothing it in just food & water. This made it easier and much, much better for what was to come.
This was where it was so cold. I couldn’t stop shivering. It felt like it went forever. We did not stop for about 5 hours. When we got down to 1900 (the camp is at 1900m above sea level) even though it was cold everyone went straight to the fire, spent a good hour drying off and warming up. Took forever to get out of the “sads” but it eventually happened. I just have to get my head around focusing on keep going. Don’t feel bad, don’t worry. I am half way across the track time wise and I need to stay focused, and keep my mind on track to make it through.

I forgot to write that coming down into Templetons I was coming down the hill with no pack, I took a bit of a slip. I almost went head first down a hill. I was caught by a porter thank god. I was saved! As I sit here at 1900 freezing my butt off I bid you good night.

Day 6 – 1900 to Brigade Hill
Up before my alarm this morning but only by 3 or 4 minutes. 2nd day of squatting in the long drops… yay? I am still getting used to the process of squatting over a hole. Still a bit slow in the morning getting everything packed and stowed. We were out of camp by 6:30 and off onto the track. Through some absolutely giant Pandanus trees and up to the “Shortcut” and then down to the dreaded “Butter Chicken”.

Apparently there was meant to be mud that resembled the look of butter chicken. We got to a point where we could look down through the range to the villages we were due to go. Pretty soon we were coming into our morning tea stop at Naduri. No mud in sight and we made awesome time. We had a quick break and had some fantastic Bananas.

We moved on down and down to the bottom, then up and up and up to Efogi Tops. Again we had amazing views of the main Efogi. It is the distance half way point but not the real halfway point. This was a massive village with one of 2 air strips that are open on the track. We had a relaxing lunch in Efogi Main and then trekked up to Brigade Hill. The sun was out most of the day, which meant spirits were much higher. No rain, no mud. Fantastic. Being sunny meant hot and sweaty. It also meant sunburn was big. The malaria tablets make you more sensitive to sunlight. But you sucked it up and kept moving. The views were just amazing. Kept taking lots of photos, enjoying the day. I guess with only 3 sleeps to go it should be good. Big days to come though.

I haven’t written anything about the people I’m trekking with. There are a total of 7 trekkers, 2 staff and 6 porters. The porters are all very quiet. Very, Very quiet. They never talk to you unless you approach them but they are great. The head Porter/Guide is Kila. He is from a village called Alola which is at the northern end of the Track. The other porters are Henry the lead man. He is always out in front showing us where to go, David who always seems to be the one sent ahead to set up camp. Paul who is a personal porter and then there is another one whose name I don’t know yet. The only porter I haven’t mentioned yet is Nick. He is the guy who saved my butt several times including a head first spill that could of been nasty. He is always there to lend me a helping hand when it gets slippery. The 2 staff are Brian and Andy. Most people who know me know that Andy is my PT so he doesn’t need an introduction but Brian is the boss, he runs Adventure 1000. He has been a great driving force forwards, keeping me going. He is always updating my boss and I don’t think he has ever said a negative thing about me.

The trekkers are Darrell, Tennille, Chris, Stuart, Michelle & Kat. Darrell is the oldest and he is from Perth. He is the only one who has his own porter and he does need it. He is very unstable at times and has a reputation for big tumbles (worse than me). Tennille & Chris are both from North Qld (Mackay I think) and are both great. Chris is ex army, and it shows somewhat, and Tennille has a great sense of humour. Stuart and Michelle I have trained with and seen around the gym for a while. It has been great getting to know them better. I know that Michelle has been finding it tough, but she is upfront and we go at her pace and she does fantastically. Last but not least is my “buddy” on the track, Kat. She has kept me partially sane but both being young and single means we cop our fair share of flack. Either way she is a machine and just amazes me at how fit she is. I wish I had the ability she does. All in all it’s a great group. Each day we all learn more and more about each other which makes it great that you get to talk to people and learn so much.

Day 7 – Brigade Hill to Nauro
Up very early again (before 5am) and another morning routine underway. I don’t know if I will ever feel clean again on this trip as I have not had a real shower since Moresby. Beautiful start to a morning right beside the track, literally. A few porters passed through the camp as we were eating breakfast. The morning was nice and cool and made for a good start on the track. It was a big downhill this morning. 2 hours and 15 minutes. This was the first hill of many today. The plan was Brigade Hill to Menari to Brown River to Nauro. We made it to Menari Creek for a quick swim ahead of time, but I decided against going in.
We had a good 40 minutes in Menari in the Sun on the grass before moving onto crossing through the Menari Gap. This meant a quick 45 minute up and then down a long, long way, almost 1.5 hours. It was shocking and then at the bottom was our lunch stop. My back was aching, legs aching; I was ready to pack it in. But I am so close I can taste it. We moved along Brown River along the flat for about 45 mins and it was exactly what I needed. It was that little bit of relaxing walk that gives you the energy to keep going.
We crossed Brown River itself which was meant up to waist in water, since the bridge (made of logs) had been washed away. My boots are Gore-Tex and hold water in which was not ideal as I made the final hour long climb up through 5 of the 9 False Peaks of the Muguli Range in drenched boots. I had just gotten them clean and dry and now having to start all over again. As soon as we got in, it was boots off and by the fire to dry out. 1 more night left after tonight. 2 more bush toilet mornings. Can’t wait.

Day 8 – Nauro to Camp 44
Not much sleep again last night with rooster sand some guy in the next guest house over snoring like a freight train. Was all good to go this morning, Dry Shoes, Fresh socks fresh underwear. Was looking up till about half way up the Muguli range. It was getting stinking hot, really hot. Mal was not a happy camper. My back has been hurting since about day 3 on the track. By the time we got to the end of the hill at the bottom, I was in heat exhaustion and just about ready to fall over in Pain. Then the worst day so far had kicked in.
I was ok by the time we got to Ioribaiwa but then we went downhill, and so did I. My back was in agony, I was in excruciating pain, I had apparently pulled a muscle in my back and it was just not good. I was so hoping to come out of this with no injuries, I was trying to avoid not carrying a pack but that does not look good either. I’m really not looking forward to tomorrow now. My last day on the track is not going to be easy. It’s probably going to be a very long day, But I will tough it out. 8 more hours on the track to go.

Day 9 – Camp 44 to Owers Corner to Port Moresby
I have just woken up and although I don’t normally write this early in the morning, I wanted to jot down a thought before I forget it. This trek has shown me that through all of this I can do the things that I set out to achieve. Be it hard or not, I can do it. Most of all I have made new friends found old ones and absolutely enjoyed it regardless of the difficulties.

The morning started off like any other on the track. A Long drop, eating out of a cup and dry boots that became wet quickly. But it all seemed ok to everyone. Everyone had a spring in their step. We all knew what led ahead. 2 ups, 1 down and some flat in between. It was the final day on the track. We headed off along the creek below Camp 44. No rock hopping was drilled into us several times as this was our last day and no one needed to get hurt this close to the end. But we all knew it what was coming up next, Imita Ridge.

This was to be our final big test. A massive 500m up and it was steep. No fun to be had here. Brian had predicted that Imita would be the one that broke me. I was going to prove that it wouldn’t. I was determined to get up that hill. I managed to do it in 56 minutes. I was ecstatic to get through it but then I had to come down which is the one thing I hate doing. But we made good time and had a break at the bottom of Imita. We then just had an hour on flat ground; get across Goldie River and up to Owers. 2 hours was all it took. We were almost there. A quick swim in Goldie River (again I did not partake) but it was a good way to bring about lots of spirit for people. The final hill was not easy. It seemed to go on forever. And it almost did. But looking up to the top at the big arches that you walk through was fantastic, I loved it. Waiting for us at the top was our lunch. Roast Chicken, Fried Egg Sandwich, a Lamington and a Beer. I only had one of beer but it was enough. Tasted so good!

After a while we all piled into the bus and we head to the Bomana War Cemetery. This was amazing and reminded me so much of Arlington National Cemetery in the US. It’s sobering to see 3500 people buried in the one spot. All the people who gave their lives for us. After the cemetery we headed back to Moresby. I’ve never been to a third world country before, but it just shocked me how different it is, seeing the outlying areas around Moresby and it looks so much like another planet rather than a city just to the north of our own country.

We unpacked back at the hotel and a shave, shower and clean clothes and something comfy to sit on never felt so good. We had dinner in the restaurant and the eating goes back after the trip. Tonight was a ration pack I swear. It was so good to taste the foods I had missed. Now it’s time to sleep, in clean pjs, sheets and real pillows. Heaven.

Day 10 – Port Moresby to Brisbane
How good is it to have a real bed to sleep in. Even though my body had me up early, I did manage to keep myself in bed till about 630ish. I was going to get on the net and quickly check my emails and twitter that I’m alive but had issues at the Business Centre. So I just bummed around till Breakfast and enjoyed the feeling of not walking. I had my first taste of bacon in 9 months and dear god it was good.

After breakfast Kat & I headed off to PNG Art for a quick bit of shopping. Then we went to the Yacht Club for lunch with the rest of the group. While sitting around at lunch it was so surreal to be back in Normality so quickly. I had my last naughty meal on the trip with a Burger and Chips. The chips were great but boy did I feel guilty. We jumped back in the taxis and headed back to the airport. It was an eventful taxi ride. The driver seemed to want to go as fast as possible, while cutting around other cars and also talking on the phone, all at the same time.

At the airport we said our final goodbyes to Kila before getting through immigration and the duty free stores. Picked up a few things at Duty Free before boarding. We were heading home on Air Niugini’s old 767. I mean old. It was old school all the way. It was an uneventful flight home. The A Team was played on the old screens which were great and I declined the full meal service, just took some snack mix and the dessert from the tray. As we flew into Brisbane on final approach, things started to hit home. I got through Quarantine & Customs easily and met my friend shortly after.

Aftermath & Thoughts
Now that I am back home and have time to think all of this through. I am not quite sure what to think or what to say. I am very glad that I have done this and I think in the future I might try it again and actually see if I can do it all the way without problems (and perhaps a little faster maybe). But looking back over it all I can say that I am happy I have done it. 9 months ago I set out to achieve some goals and lose a lot of weight and now I have. The only thing is… where to from here. I am not quite sure what to do or where to go. Life is a little bit all over the place right now. I guess the next few days/weeks I need to sit down and work out where I am going in my life as now that I have finished these goals I have kind of lost direction a little.

What will be my next big adventure? Well I do have my nice big Round the World coming up next year and this week I will do some planning of that before I go any further. I need to work out what to do with my life I guess. Things are not always as easy as it seems.

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So the big adventure begins tomorrow. Tommorrow I am going to take a giant leap into the new Mal and finally do Kokoda. The scary thing is I am wondering why the hell I decided to do this. I could of taken the easy option and not done it but no, I had to go ahead and take the hard way of doing things (like usual). But my brain keeps thinking to itself. YOUR STUPID! why are you doing this. What do you think is gonna happen. Its just my brain over thinking things which usually means I panic etc

But I am determined to do this. I have had the usual pre trip problems come to light. Last year before I went away I got gastro. This time i get a cold with days to go. But as long as my ears pop.. I am sure as hell going.

Everything is bought, ready to go (packing later this arvo). But my body is all ready to go. I am going to do this… I am going to do this.

I am going to do this!!