01 July. Lea Lea.

The next walk on the agenda is Lea Lea. This village is about 30 minutes drive from Moresby and is situated on the Motuan coast. The people of this Village are gorgeous and the smiling children will steal your hearts.

After we arrive at our destination, we will then cross the mouth of a river by ways of a small timber jetty-like structure. Sure it sways a little, but it's okay. As we wander through Papa Village we then make our way to the mangrove flats. Here we will see some amazing wooden structures, but we will also get very, very, very muddy as we cross the Mangrove flats. Your shoes will stink for weeks... and keep and eye out for the little red one-armed crabs, these dudes are very shy but en masse they make a cool display.

After the mud the walk wanders through Jurassic landscapes and down to a junglesque creek bed which is the location of a well in which we will see many Meris wandering to in order to get fresh water for the Village.

After the well, the track opens up to a saltplain, and on the other side is the beach. From here, it is a walk along the beach to return back to the start.

This walk undulates over the first part but flattens out once we reach the salt plain. But the walk is of some serious length and there are large portions of the walk that are exposed to the sun. The walk back along the beach takes its toll on calf muscles and everyone normally ends up weary at walk's-end.

Bring plenty of H2O and a hat. Sunscreen is essential and medication for those who require. This is a long walk, so snacks can provide energy and win hearts amongst the local kids who will follow us. They will soon give up when we wander to far and they will return to greet us along the beach. The kids aren't stupid, they are not going to waste their Sunday morning wandering off aimlessly.



Remember that we will still be in PNG and that you should think seriously about your own personal safety. The small monetary cost of the walk covers the off-duty Policemen and Guides whom are there to help provide a secure experience, but they cannot guarantee your safety if you find yourself wandering too far ahead or behind the group. Remember communication is a vital key; let someone know where you are heading at all times. This walk is about like-minded people who are keen to get out of Moresby and have a wander around the local environment, photography and learning about the flora and fauna and people is a big part of the enjoyment of the POM bushwalkers.

This walk does start some distance away from the city of Moresby so for all the latest up to date travel advice, see the Smart Traveller Website.

Cool, hope to see you there. Walkers should meet at the normal spot at the normal time, and we will then car-pool to Lea Lea.

Burn's Peak. a review

This walk was very tough. Everybody suffered. No-one actually re-visited their breakfast but I am sure that I wasn't the only one thinking about vomiting. Dehydrated and weary, we limped to the end.

But it was fantastic!

The day started off fantastic in the Northern suburbs of Moresby, the weather was coolish in the valley as we started our trek towards Fairfax Harbour and the ridge of hills in between. We passed through remnants of market gardens as the last few peanuts were harvested before all the grass gets set alight. A cherry "Morning" and a wave as we passed the last of the gardeners...

Then the path went upwards, and it didn't let out. By the top, the Sun had started to crank and their was no wind to be felt. We then went up and down, up and down, up and down... Confusion occurred on one peak and it wasn't long after that a quarter of the group decided that the better option was to bail out and head for the settlement below and opt for vehicular transport.

Those that remained, suffered. Heads were about to explode as the Sun beat down, and the thought of trying to drink fluids only triggered gag reflexes. We stopped frequently at the little shade we could find, and somehow spirits were okay as we told stories of yore. But when we started walking again, it was merely survival; left foot followed by the right foot, then another left, then right, left, right, left, right and so on until we made it...

Still, somehow, everyone had a good morning out and enjoyed the views of Moresby and surrounds. And speaking with the intrepid today, most of us pulled up okay after the experience. Good times... good times...

Burn's Peak

This is a tough walk. It starts at the University grounds and immediately heads skywards through a treeless valley. In fact, there are less and less trees the further you wander along the 4 inch wide tracks that scrawl their way around the naked hills of Moresby. These tracks are worn by naked feet through even the hardest of stone.

But the views and the rewards are fantastic. During the walk, you will experience fantastic views of suburbs from Gerehu to Waigani through to Gordons, the other side of the ridge you will enjoy views of the stilt villages that hug the coastline of Fairfax Harbour; Hanuabada and beyond. On the last few climbs of the day you will see the CBD of Moresby in all it's glory, and more likely you will spot a few Campaign slogans along the way...

One can even play "spot_your_house" as you take an eagle's eye view of the compounds that lay strewn across Paga and Touagubu Hills. But make sure your eyes don't stray too far from the track below your feet as you are guaranteed to end up on your arse at some time during this walk. The ground is full of rock and shale and is loose underfoot. Just make sure the good Doctor has prescribed the right kind of footwear so as to avoid any unecessary falls.

This walk involves leaving some vehicles at a pre-arranged location and driving the others to the start of the walk. At the end of the walk, some drivers will have to be returned to their cars in order for all vehicles to be connected with their drivers.

This walk also will skirt along the edge of a settlement towards the end of the walk. Although there has been problems at this settlement in the past, your personal safety should be maximised if you have notified your respective security arrangements before travelling and also if you keep within vision of the Police Officers that are employed on the walk. Remember that the hired help are there to protect for not only the duration of the walk but also in the travel to and from the starting points. At all times try not to find yourself alone on the track and ensure that others know of your exact movements.

The meeting and starting point is the same as normal and seeing as you will be exposed to the dry tropical sun of Moresby, ensure you carry plenty of water and personal protective gear like a hat, sunscreen and necessary medication. The length of this walk is approximately 10-12 kms and there are some considerable altitude gains.

Hope to see you out on the track this weekend.