Tjapukai

On Tuesday night I got a tour bus out to the Kjapukai Aboriginal centre. Unfortunately it was me and

a bus load of Japanese tourists. Who didn't speak much if any English. (I got a lot more out of it than they could have given the language barrier but they definitely enjoyed themselves.) After a glass of sparkling wine, we all got our faces painted.

At the centre 

Close-up of the face-painting

We were given tap sticks and followed the aboriginal members down to the pond where we participated in a fire ceremony which consisted of chanting to bring the fire in, tapping the sticks and walking in a circle. When they lit the fire, one lit a spear in the fire and threw the spear into the sky as thanks. It must have ignited a gas pocket and fire shot into the sky. It was quite a surprise and really impressive. Then a man and woman, hunters, brought the fire back to the tribe in a canoe.

Putting the spear in the fire

 I took videos which I will try to upload when I have better internet.
After the ceremony, we had dinner which was nice but I was hoping for more bush tucker. But I did get a very nice glass of wine and the food was good so overall a good meal. As the only traveling alone, I got a single table just for me. In the centre of the room. The perils of traveling alone.

Table for one. :-(

Dinner was followed by a show where they told us stories and explained their meaning. They also got people onto the stage to demonstrate the fire making and later a bird dance, where 2 of the Japanese got very into it. The aboriginal dancers gave up trying to get them to follow and just carried out, letting them do their own thing.

Story of cutting down a tree to get honey

Showing the sticks used to make fire

Making fire

With our aboriginal hosts

It was a fun night. I am looking forward to learning more about the cultures soon. 

Wednesday I got the bus to Port Douglas. The apartment is very posh. After walking into town twice (the first time in the rain; when I got there I realised I had left my wallet at home; the second time in the sun but I had had enough walking by then), I went to the bottle shop and stocked up for the week. Well, part of it. The Yarra valley pinot noir was mostly gone that night - it was very nice - so I might have to replace it.