Kosher Kokoda Track/Trail Experience
Over the last few years I’ve explored organizing a Kosher and Shomer Shababt Kokoda track experience. At last I think we are ready to do it because there are enough people now interested.
For those unfamiliar with the Kokoda Track here is a bit from Wikipedia:
“The Kokoda Trail or Track is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs 96 kilometres (60 mi) overland — 60 kilometres (37 mi) in a straight line — through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea. The track is the most famous in Papua New Guinea and is known for being the location of the World War II battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942.
The track starts, or ends, at Owers Corner in Central Province, 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Port Moresby, and then crosses rugged and isolated terrain, which is only passable on foot, to the village of Kokoda in Oro Province. It reaches a height of 2,190 metres (7,185 ft) as it passes around the peak of Mount Bellamy.[1]
Hot, humid days with intensely cold nights, torrential rainfall and the risk of endemic tropical diseases such as malaria make it a challenge to walk. Despite the challenge posed it is a popular hike.”
An average trek takes anywhere from 9-14 days. My aim is to have a group fly out from Australia on a Sunday, spend Shabbat on the Kokoda Track and be back in Australia before the following Shabbat. I will be organizing a village to stay in over Shabbat along with all the services. If a village option is not available we will set up a Shabbat friendly camp. We will enjoy a Friday night and Shabbat day kiddush together, and a minyanim should there be enough people.
I am working with a company to sort out food and make sure everything is kosher. Figuring out what needs to be brought from Australia and what we can source in Papa New Guinea.
Some basic details:
- Trek to take place in June or July 2013
- Estimated cost will be around $4,000 AUD. Which will include almost everything besides your personal flight to and from PNG, and a personal porter to carry your gear
- A certain level of fitness is necessary and you’d need to start getting into shape for the trek at least 3 months prior, preferably 6 months. I happen to be a registered personal trainer would be able to help you get fit if need be.
- You could fundraise for something. At the moment we do not have one selected cause but we may come up with something in the near future. If you fundraise $20,000 you could probably use $4000 from that to pay for your trip.
- All Food will be strictly kosher. It will not be under any specific kosher supervising body, however Rabbi Ben is well accustomed to trekking and has a broad knowledge of how to insure kosher food preparation on trail
- We will observe Shabbat as a group and ask that everyone be respectful in the public domain.
Stay tuned for more information, also if you are interested in doing this trek please contact Rabbi Ben through the contact page so we can make sure you receive any updates on Kosher Kokoda.
