Andrew 'AJ' Johnson
Kokoda is my passion. It started with a brief discussion with my Mum shortly before my first trip when she mentioned ‘oh, Dad was with the 2/16th ’ I was talking with her about the military history aspect of the Track and she dropped that one on me!! I had no idea!
Turns out he spent 1943-1946 with the 2/16 th including a year overseas in the
Balikpapan/Celebes campaign. So although not a Kokoda vet, he served with the survivors and now, I get to honour him and them by being the very best guide I can be.
I was an emotional wreck after that first trek, and now 30+ treks later, its not much
different. I love pretty well all aspects of the Track – maybe not some of the drop toilets – but every other aspect. The challenge, culture, people, faith, pristine environment, flora, fauna, remoteness, and more and more each time I do it, or read/research about it.
And that’s what I want to share with you in my laid back, country boy, Dad joke, caring and sharing way awwwww you say, what a guy! But it is my passion and so it should be that way
It's ten days of caring and sharing. We have to be a team as it is such a challenge, we have to take time to get to know each other, the team (VERY important), their families and of course, to get to know those ‘in whose footprints, we tread’.
It truly is a life changing experience. Come find out my story and make your own!!