Monday, June 18, 2007

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.

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