We left Kakadu to drive to Manyallaluk where we were doing an aboriginal cultural experience day. Manyallaluk is an aboriginal community, home to the indigenous people of the Kakadu, Nitmiluk & Arhem land. We camped at the place and was greeted with a bright purple sunset.
The next morning, we packed up and moved 'Hippo' from the spearing target. Back at the activity area, I asked if they were expecting more people and was answered that a big 'mob' was coming. The 'mob' turned out to be a busload of old dears and WWII veterans, Steve was right in there conversing about the war, the good old days and chatting up the ladies. This is a picture of part of our lunch being cooked - kangeroo tails (yummy)
As we were such a big group, we were split into the 'mob' and the 'campers'. The 'mob' went first but as they quite slow to move on, our guide decided to take us on an alternative route through bushland, bush burnings, streams and strychinine trees. One of our group was a wannabe bushguide, so we got two versions (often repeated explanation) of everything. This is the root that the aboriginals used as red dye for basket weaving.
Back at camp, we sat down to a feast where Steve and I rediscovered a taste for damper having 4 pieces each. After lunch, the fun started - basket weaving, bark painting, firemaking, digderidoo playing (only males) and spear throwing. Here we are being shown how to join the pandanas leaves when making a basket. The hardest part was spliting the pandanas leaves (it looked easy).
Me working on some masterpiece and Steve (who was rather impressive at spear throwing) preparing for a shot and checking that it hit bullseye again!
After a quick demonstration, we both tried desparately to make fire using two 'pandanas stick' (useful stuff). My palms siezed up before even a smoke appeared and Steve got a blister. It's hard yakka and requires good teamwork and strong arms and palms.
We left Kakadu to drive to Manyallaluk where we were doing an aboriginal cultural experience day. Manyallaluk is an aboriginal community, home to the indigenous people of the Kakadu, Nitmiluk & Arhem land. We camped at the place and was greeted with a bright purple sunset.
This is a picture of part of our lunch being cooked - kangeroo tails (yummy)
As we were such a big group, we were split into the 'mob' and the 'campers'. The 'mob' went first but as they quite slow to move on, our guide decided to take us on an alternative route through bushland, bush burnings, streams and strychinine trees. One of our group was a wannabe bushguide, so we got two versions (often repeated explanation) of everything. This is the root that the aboriginals used as red dye for basket weaving.
Back at camp, we sat down to a feast where Steve and I rediscovered a taste for damper having 4 pieces each. After lunch, the fun started - basket weaving, bark painting, firemaking, digderidoo playing (only males) and spear throwing. Here we are being shown how to join the pandanas leaves when making a basket. The hardest part was spliting the pandanas leaves (it looked easy).
Me working on some masterpiece and Steve (who was rather impressive at spear throwing) preparing for a shot and checking that it hit bullseye again!
After a quick demonstration, we both tried desparately to make fire using two 'pandanas stick' (useful stuff). My palms siezed up before even a smoke appeared and Steve got a blister. It's hard yakka and requires good teamwork and strong arms and palms.