EM203 ANZAC PILGRIMAGE TOUR 2015

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1 ANZAC DAY PILGRIMAGE TOUR MON 20 TH APRIL SAT 25 TH APRIL nights Port Moresby, Bomana, Owers Corner, Popondetta, Gona, Kokoda. Fully escorted sign-up soft adventure tour, group size maximum 12 people. INTRODUCTION Attending the Anzac Day dawn service at Bomana War Cemetery outside Port Moresby is one of those things to do before you die. It is one of the most emotionally moving experiences you will have in your life. There before you, as you recite the Ode and sing Abide With Me in the semi-darkness, lie the graves of 3800 men (and women) who gave their lives for Australia, Britain and Papua New Guinea in wartime. This tour provides an opportunity to learn about the Bomana War Cemetery and its role in Australia s military history, and explore some of the locations where the Pacific Campaign unfolded and those now buried at Bomana saw action. This 5 nights core tour is fully escorted by one of our experienced company staff and features places of World War 2 significance around Port Moresby, Popondetta and Kokoda including the beach-heads around Gona, the battlefields around Kokoda station, the southern end of the Kokoda Track at Owers Corner and the final resting place of the campaign heroes at Bomana War Cemetery. The 5 night core tour concludes with the Anzac Day dawn service but two-night tour extensions are offered to Lae/Salamaua, Milne Bay, Rabaul and Wewak. TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1: MON 20 APRIL ARRIVE PORT MORESBY On your arrival from Sydney, Brisbane or Cairns (Virgin, Qantaslink or Air Niugini) you will be met by one of our staff (look for a sign with your name when you exit the Customs Hall) and we will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. NB: Australian citizens must obtain a free tourist visa before travelling to PNG. We can provide further information how to do this, on request. To obtain local currency ( kina ) ATMs are available in many locations around Port Moresby, even inside the Passport Control area at the airport if you wish to take a credit card cash advance in local currency. Otherwise wait until you exit Customs and change your cash or traveller cheques at the airport bank which offers the same exchange rates as banks in town and much better rates than the currency exchange booths at Brisbane or Cairns airports. If time allows after checking in to your hotel, your guide will take you on a brief familiarisation drive around Port Moresby including a stop at a local supermarket for any grocery or pharmacy items you may have forgotten to bring with you. Most products available in Australia are available here. This evening after dinner there will be a welcome briefing at the hotel conference room (8pm approx) and 1942 newsreels showing actual footage of the bombing of Port Moresby Harbour and fighting on the Kokoda Track will be screened on video (30 min). Overnight 3 star hotel, Port Moresby (includes buffet or set -menu dinner and hot breakfast) Ph PNG Holidays, P.O. Box 1105, Cairns North, Queensland, Australia. 1

2 DAY 2: TUE 21 APRIL PORT MORESBY / POPONDETTA (excursion to Gona) 04:30 Early morning alarm call. Have coffee or tea in your room: a full breakfast will be served on arrival in Popondetta. 05:30 The hotel shuttle bus departs the hotel for the airport. After checking in, coffee and snacks are available from the coffee cart in the departure lounge (pay as you go). 07:15 Airlines PNG flight CG1670 departs Port Moresby for Popondetta, arriving 07:50 (aircraft: Dash with 50 seats). On arrival at Popondetta airport, board your tour vehicle (bus or passenger truck) for the drive into Popondetta town. Check in at your accommodation then the group will have and have a late breakfast (included). 10:00 Depart for day tour to Gona. First stop is the Popondetta Memorial Park which has excellent informative displays about the Campaigns, then about 1 hour driving time to the coast. On arrival at Gona beach the locals will perform a welcome sing-sing and light lunch is served at the village guest house. After lunch some time is available for exploring the beach-head area. If you are able to walk you will be able to see more. Walking distance from Gona Beach is Basabua beach, the site of the first Japanese commando landings. Throughout this area there are many large relics (rusting vehicl es, fuel drums, landing barges etc) plus various memorial plaques and some small museums where locals have collected war relics including 1942 Coke bottles, guns and ammunition. From Gona beach also about 1 hour walking is involved to get to the site of the old Gona Anglican Mission and the cemetery where martyrs slaughtered by the Japanese are buried. At the time of writing, the old Mission cross, which copped a few burn marks and bullet scars in 1942, is still standing together with some old artillery guns. Overnight 2 star accommodation, Popondetta (includes buffet or set-menu dinner and hot breakfast) DAY 3: WED 22 APRIL POPONDETTA (excursion to Kokoda) 06:00 Breakfast Depart Popondetta by private hire bus or passenger truck for Kokoda. The road is sealed about half way to Kokoda but is pretty bumpy the rest of the way. From Popondetta the road north towards Kokoda passes through oil palm plantations, rainforest and grasslands, with many river crossings. The non-stop driving time is about 3 hours but we will make a couple of stops en route at sites of historical interest including the Kumusi River where General Hori and his white horse drowned, and the memorial plaque at Awala village where the first contact between Japanese and Papuan soldiers was recorded Arrive at Kokoda in time for lunch at the local guest house (basic but comfy). This is peak Kokoda trekking season so there will be many trekking groups around. 12:00 After lunch, explore Kokoda township, tour the little museum and visit the war memorials on the plateau overlooking the valley. The Kokoda district office stills stands here, on its original spot. Our historical guide will point out the battlefield scenario and from the airstrip you will be able to see Deniki the point the Australian contingent first withdrew to before re-taking Kokoda early in the campaign. There may also be time for a short jaunt up the first part of the Kokoda Track. 15:00 Depart Kokoda for the return drive to Popondetta. Overnight 2 star accommodation, Popondetta (includes buffet or set-menu dinner and hot breakfast) Ph PNG Holidays, P.O. Box 1105, Cairns North, Queensland, Australia. 2

3 DAY 4: THU 23 APRIL DAY 5: FRI 24 APRIL DAY 6: SAT 25 APRIL POPONDETTA / PORT MORESBY (excursion to Bomana and Owers Corner) 06:00 Breakfast and check out 06:45 Depart for Popondetta airport 08:15 Airlines PNG flight CG1671 departs Popondetta for Port Moresby, arriving 08:50 (aircraft: Dash with 50 seats). On arrival, transfer to your Port Moresby hotel and freshen up. 10:00 Depart from the hotel for a tour of the Bomana War Cemetery then continue up to the Sogeri Plateau with stops at MacDonald s Corner and Owers Corner. Owers Corner is the Port Moresby (southern) end of the Kokoda Track. Here there is a memorial park with informative displays about the history of the Kokoda Track, and a Howitzer field gun on display identical to the type used there in Those members of the tour party who are feeling up to it can follow our guide down the first stretch of the Kokoda Track, a steep descent to Goldie River, perhaps take a dip in the cool water, then just as steep a climb back up. This will take about an hour altogether. At least then you can say you ve walked part of the Kokoda Track. The rest of us mere mortals will wait at the memorial park. A boxed lunch is provided during the tour today, and an ample supply of bottled water is available on the tour bus. 16:00 Arrive back at the hotel. Overnight 3 star hotel, Port Moresby (includes buffet or set-menu dinner and hot breakfast) PORT MORESBY (sightseeing) 08:30 Depart the hotel for sightseeing around Port Moresby. In the town area your tour guide will take you to a scenic lookout and point out the old harbour defence installations (Burns Peak ack-ack station, Paga Hill Fort, Roku gun emplacement) and the wreck of the wartime supply ship MV Macdhui which is still exposed at every low tide. You will also make stops at the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel memorial, national museum and parliament house, PNG Art artifacts shop, the University Bookshop and the Port Moresby Nature Park (botanical gardens and zoo). A boxed lunch is provided during the tour today, and an ample supply of bottled water is available on the tour bus. 16:00 Arrive back at the hotel. Overnight 3 star hotel, Port Moresby (includes buffet or set-menu dinner and hot breakfast) PORT MORESBY (ANZAC Day) / FLY OUT OR EXTEND 03:15 Early morning wake-up call. 04:00 Board your tour bus for the 20 minute drive out to Bomana War Cemetery. An orange juice and a piece of fruit is handed out during the ride, to keep you going till breakfast. 04:30 Be seated on lawns, groundsheets and/or stackable chairs for the dawn service. Printed programs and candles are supplied by the event organisers. The car park and pathways will be well lit so personal flashlights won t be needed but bring one anyway if you wish. 05:00 Dawn service commences with the arrival of dignitaries. 06:00 Dawn service concludes, people mingle afterwards and wander among the graves. There will be upward of 3,000 people present - most of the Australian and New Zealand community in Port Moresby attends, plus there will be literally hundreds of trekkers. 07:00 Depart Bomana for the Australian High Commission at Waigani and the traditional gunfire breakfast (barbeque sausages and beer) sponsored by the Port Moresby RSL Sub-Branch. This is a great opportunity to mingle with Papua New Guineans from all social classes, local expats, war veterans, Defence force personnel and tourists. 09:00 Transfer back to your hotel room for a nap before checking out of the hotel and Ph PNG Holidays, P.O. Box 1105, Cairns North, Queensland, Australia. 3

4 transferring to the airport for your onward flight to Australia or tour extension destination. Individualised airport transfers and check-in assistance will be provided. Lunch is available in the Airport Café upstairs in the international terminal or in the Figaro Coffee Lounge in the departure lounge (pay as you go: local currency only, or credit card). END OF CORE TOUR ARRANGEMENTS TOUR NOTES Bomana War Cemetery is the final resting place of most of those 600 Australian soldiers who gave their lives along the Kokoda Track. They were originally buried in temporary graves along the Track and their remains were later re-interred at Bomana. There are about 3800 graves at Bomana. Apart from the Kokoda Track casualties many of these troops were killed in other battles including Buna, Gona and Milne Bay. There are also several hundred graves of British soldiers killed at Singapore and a few of graves of servicemen and women from other Commonwealth countries. There are no US or Japanese soldiers buried at Bomana. All US and Japanese remains that have been found have been repatriated. (At the time of the war, Papua was Australian soil and that is why it was considered appropriate to bury Australian soldiers here). Owers Corner On our 2006 Anzac Day tour we hosted George Gwilliam and Ron Phillips who were among the gunners who manned the Howitzers at Owers Corner in 42. How emotional it was for them to return and see a Howitzer sitting there, just as if it had been there all along since the day they finished their tour of duty and left. We pumped 700 rounds into the Japanese position at Ioribaiwa Ridge until they turned tail says George. The official history says the Japs retreated because they ran low on supplies. We ll go with George s version! (George and Ron were still mates after 65 years - good on you diggers, that kind of mateship is the backbone of Australia.) Wreaths If you would like to lay a fresh floral wreath at the service we can purchase one in advance for you from the local florist and you can reimburse us on arrival. Please contact us well in advance to arrange. An artificial wreath can be brought with you from Australia. Quarantine regulations prohibit the importation of fresh flowers from Australia. PRICES TOUR Inclusions as per below, per person, twin share. AUD (as of Nov 14, subject to change) Minimum number required 5 night core tour $ people Extension Lae/Salamaua $ Extension Milne Bay $ Extension Rabaul $ Extension Wewak $ SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON ALL PACKAGES POA Ph PNG Holidays, P.O. Box 1105, Cairns North, Queensland, Australia. 4

5 PACKAGE INCLUSIONS PNG domestic Airfares (as specified) Port Moresby airport meet and greet, transfer to hotel Port Moresby 3 nights, 3 star, twin share accommodation including buffet or set menu dinners and continental breakfasts Port Moresby return flight to Popondetta Popondetta 2 nights, 2 star, twin share accommodation including buffet or set menu dinners and continental breakfasts) Popondetta full day excursion to Gona battlefields with lunch Popondetta full day excursion to Kokoda with lunch Port Moresby full day Bomana and Owers Corner excursion with lunch Port Moresby full day city tour with lunch Port Moresby excursion to ANZAC Day dawn service and gunfire breakfast and farewell International airfares (we can arrange for you). Travel insurance (mandatory). We can arrange this for you. visas and visa assistance tips (not expected, and only appropriate for exceptional service) souvenirs and items of a personal nature bar drinks single supplement for solo travellers excess baggage charges - your free allowance on local flights is 16 kg + 5 kg and you can check in additional kilos at your own cost personal items - bring your own favourite snacks, favourite bath soap, favourite toilet paper, quick-dry bath towel, personal medications and personal hygiene requirements, brimmed hat or cap, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, personal flashlight, battery-operated personal fan. NB Aerosol cans are not permitted on domestic flights in PNG so bring roll-ons or pump-action sprays. Ph PNG Holidays, P.O. Box 1105, Cairns North, Queensland, Australia. 5

6 GENERAL TRIP NOTES Throughout the tour we provide: - services of a full time tour leader - all fees and gratuities for local villages, guides, demonstrators and helpers - all airport/hotel transfers - all road travel by late model mini bus or four wheel drive vehicle with bottled water on board - any water travel by open speed boat, skiff or motor canoe with life vests supplied - various additional gear that may be required for your safety and comfort in remote areas - daily reconfirmation of flights and arrangements coordinated by our Port Moresby office - 24 hour assistance from our tour group s Port Moresby office LAE AND SALAMAUA 2 NIGHTS TOUR EXTENSIONS Port Moresby return flights to Lae (eg SAT25APR PX104 POMLAE 13:15/14:00 + MON27APR PX103 LAEPOM 11:00/11:45) Lae airport transfers Lae 2 nights 3 star accommodation (room only, pay as you go for dinners and breakfasts) Lae full day guided Lae War Cemetery and Salamaua boat tour with lunch Meals except where stated MILNE BAY 2 NIGHTS Port Moresby return flights to Alotau (eg SAT25APR PX154 POMGUR 10:00/10:50 + MON27APR PX155 GURPOM 11:20/12:10) Alotau airport transfers Ph PNG Holidays, P.O. Box 1105, Cairns North, Queensland, Australia. 6

7 Alotau 2 nights 3 star accommodation (room only, pay as you go for dinners and breakfasts) Alotau full day guided Milne Bay war history and cenotaph tour with lunch Meals except where stated RABAUL 2 NIGHTS Port Moresby return flights to Rabaul (eg SAT25APR PX274 POMRAB 15:15/16:40 + MON27APR PX275 RABPOM 06:55/08:15) Rabaul airport transfers Rabaul 2 nights 3 star accommodation (room only, pay as you go for dinners and breakfasts) Rabaul full day guided Rabaul war history and Bitapaka War Cemetery tour with lunch Meals except where stated WEWAK 2 NIGHTS Port Moresby return flights to Wewak (eg SAT25APR PX120 POMWWK 16:00/17:20 + MON27APR PX121 GURPOM 06:10/07:30) Wewak airport transfers Wewak 2 nights 3 star accommodation (room only, pay as you go for dinners and breakfasts) Wewak full day guided Wewak war history and Wom Beach Cenotaph tour with lunch Meals except where stated Ph PNG Holidays, P.O. Box 1105, Cairns North, Queensland, Australia. 7