A Special Weekend

One of the great things about living and working at Daly River is the opportunity to spend every second weekend in Darwin and enjoying the amenities that it provides…..Casuarina Shopping Mall, the Wave Pool, the Harbour, restaurants etc.

It was well organised by Robyn for her to have her birthday on a Saturday so last weekend we ventured into the Big Smoke to enjoy the weekend and celebrate her special day.

We stayed at Josh and Sarah’s unit on Friday night and were thrilled to have Tim and Ali arrive unexpectedly Saturday morning after flying up from Melbourne late Friday night and staying with Gemma (Jake in Alice Springs) before surprising us that morning!

A trip to Casuarina for much needed haircuts, a stroll through Parap markets, laksa from our favourite Asian stall for a picnic lunch at East Point and an afternoon at the Wave Pool filled in the day before heading off to dinner at Crustaceans on the Wharf to celebrate Robyn’s birthday. (By now Jake had flown in from Alice). Very special to have all three boys with Sarah, Gemma and Eli join us!

The following day saw a very competitive tennis competition take place (Nick Kyrgios wouldn’t have felt out of place with the sledging that was occurring!) After the preliminary rounds it was down to Josh and Robyn versus Jake and Gemma to sort out the winning team. Victory went to Jake and Gemma…fighting back from 3/1 down to win 5/3 and the ensuing bragging rights….and probably continuing as I type!

Show Court 1 was indeed a very hot place to be so the swimming pool was a great cooling down spot between sets.  Gracie did a great job as ball girl but due to the heat on court, retired quite early in the proceedings…….swimming in the pool and playing naughts and crosses in the sand, courtside (says a lot for the tennis doesn’t it!) were more attractive options.

After a late lunch and drinks at the Trailer Yacht Club we said our farewells and as Tim and Eli flew back to Melbourne we headed to Daly River for our last week of teaching at St Francis Xavier, Nauiyu. It was great catching up with them and hearing about their recent trip to the U.S.

Special thanks to Josh, Sarah, Jake and Gemma for all the organisation in putting the weekend together…loved every moment of it. Being able to consistently catch up with them during our time in the NT has been great!

Josh

Sarah

Ball Girl Gracie

Jake...wearing all the gear. Must have worked!

Gemma

Robyn

Eli..in her first tennis court appearance

Tim

Rob

Eventual winners..Jake and Gemma. Congrats!

T/1/2 WATERPARK EXCURSION

Last Thursday was a pretty special day as we took Robyn's class into Palmerston/Darwin.

After leaving Naiuyu at 7:30 am with a stop at Adelaide River we arrived at the Palmerston cinema at 11:00 for a screening of the latest Minion movie.  From there we had our lunch  and play at the local Mc Donalds. Then onto the highlight of the day ... the Leanyer Water Park. An amazing facility with pools, waterslides, playgrounds and a huge bucket that tipped over when full of water drenching everyone underneath.

Witnessing the fun and antics that these children got up to on the day made it another amazing experience.
View our day on the link below
T12 WATERPARK EXCURSION

DALY RIVER

An update of our movements since Bali.
Left Bali with lots of fond memories (unfortunately weren't stranded there with volcanic dust activity!) and flew into a very warm Darwin.
We wandered into the Catholic Education Office and were immediately offered two weeks employment out at an aboriginal community called Nauiyu which is situated on the banks of the Daly River...famous for barramundi and mangoes (and crocodiles and water buffalo!)
The school is called St Francis Xavier and has an enrolment of about 60...and an attendance of about 30..on a good day!
Robyn is teaching a lively Transition (prep) to grade 2. Rob provides much needed time release amongst the grades. Gracie is enjoying her time in Robyn's class providing assitance to the energetic bunch!
The two weeks has now turned into five and we will end our teaching here, and in the N.T. on Friday 4th of September,  then head back home via Queensland arriving back in Wangaratta around the start of the Victorian school holidays.
Last Friday Rob had the opportunity to go out with the kids and local women gathering bush plums...very tasty according to Gracie!

bush plum gathering

Essendon very popular....and quite rightly!

Reeds to be used for basket weaving

The Daly near the crossing...cant see any crocs!

Won't be long before ripening! 

Swimming pool at caravan park...someone's swimming everyday!

BALI BY BIKE

What better way to experience rural Bali, away from the tourist havens than atop a bicycle, especially when it's all downhill!
We booked ourselves onto an Eco Tours cultural, ecological and educational cycling tour.  We were picked up from our resort in Sanur and driven  to Kintamani where we had breakfast overlooking the active volcano Mt Batur and its crater lake... a stunning view!
We then selected our mountain bikes and began our 25 km descent towards Ubud through the heartland of Bali; witnessing typical Balinese daily life and enjoying the beautiful countryside. We rode through lush rainforests, plantations of tropical fruits, vegetables and coffee, numerous lush rice paddies and  timeless villages all the time managing to yell out hellos to the delightful children playing alongside the road.
Our guide "Agoose" (real name Ketut....being the youngest boy in family) constantly provided us with insights into Balinese life often with much hilarity.
We had numerous stops along the way including a Balinese communal home or compound that revolves around their devotion to the spiritual life (most Balinese are devout Hindus), a coffee plantation to sample the uniquely produced and most expensive coffee in the world, Luwak (google it for a fascinating recount) and a walk through one of the many rice paddies that uses every available piece of land to plant.
After the breath taking ride, being very careful not to be skittled by one of the many motor cyclists that shared our narrow roads we were served a  sumptuous  Balinese lunch complete with the customary Bintang!
Another special day in Bali...made more special by sharing with family members!
Ian, Margaret, David, Sue, Emma, Robyn, Gracie and Rob.

eco tour bike ride

Monkey Forest at Ubud by Gracie

Yesterday Mum and I visited the Monkey Forest in Ubud.  We first visited about a week ago but I loved it so much we had to come again!!!

Here are some of our best monkey photos...

 

 

A perfect place to sit

 

 

                                              Monkeys like bananas and corn!

                       I'll give you my banana...have you got any more corn?

 

Keep still! I'm trying to get that flea!

 

    We discovered (amazingly) that monkeys are fantastic swimmers!

BALI

motor bikes galore

red dory prawns and mussels...$15

After a few nervous days checking the Jetstar website regarding the volcanic dust cloud...and a four hour delay at Darwin Airport we have finally made it to Bali!
We spent the first day exploring the local streets, beaches and restaurants around our hotel in Denpasar managing to stay safe amongst the hectic traffic conditions.
The food here is not only cheap....but delicious!

beach scene

THE TOP END

 

It’s taken us quite a while but we have finally made it to Darwin, pulling in last Thursday!

Since arriving in the Top End we have had so many wonderful experiences together…mainly centring on waterholes, swimming and family!

We spent our first night in Katherine with Josh and Sarah who made the long trip down from Darwin to join us to camp overnight. It was great to spend time with them and hear about their recent drive from Wangaratta back to the NT.  As luck would have it Jake was also in Katherine on business and we caught with him in the afternoon before he headed back to Darwin. We look forward to seeing Gemma when we get to Darwin.

We camped out at Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) for a couple of nights and caught up with David (Robyn’s brother in law) who was there with a school group. We then stayed in Katherine with Di, a close friend of Robyn’s from her School of the Air days.

After leaving Katherine we made the short trip to Edith Falls to stay for initially a couple of nights but extended to a third night…so good was our stay there. Time was spent walking to and swimming in the picturesque Sweetwater and Top Pools… unbelievable experiences! Did feel a bit guilty though, knowing the type of weather Wangaratta was experiencing!

Our next stop was at Umbrawarra Gorge…a striking gorge with sharp red cliffs and sandstone overhangs. We rock-hopped and swam in the many pools as we explored this stunning gorge. Each turn in the walk gave us breath-taking scenery.

We then headed into the must see part of the Top End….Litchfield Park with its many waterfalls cascading into crystal clear pools, intriguing magnetic termite mounds, 4 wheel driving and creek crossings and the endless swimming opportunities. (hence the swimmers ear for Rob!)

Florence Falls, Wangi, Surprise Creek Falls and Gracie’s favourite Buley Rockhole saw us swimming under falls and jumping into plunge pools. Great moments and memories.

We have put together an Animoto of our time at Litchfield and can be found on the link below.

Currently in Darwin we are now waiting to see if the skies clear of volcanic ash to allow us to fly to Bali and meet up with Robyn’s family.  We’re eagerly looking forward to this part of our trip…fingers crossed!!!!

Robyn, Gracie and Rob

PS. One more sleep…then someone turns double figures!

Litchfield 

 

 

 

 

 

RED DUST AND THE GERMINATOR

Each year Kintore amongst other remote indigenous communities get visited by a group of committed people under the name of Red Dust.
Their aim is to promote healthy lifestyles with a focus on nutrition, hygiene and physical activity.
Role models from sport, music, art and dance formed part of the team...hence the term Red Dust Role Models.
We were fortunate to have Red Dust visit during our second last week at Kintore. They spent most of the week actively engaged with the kids and the resultant video was produced.. It features also one girl well known to us!

• "We are, we are we are the Germinators"

http://www.reddust.org.au/jukebox/the-germinator

SWIMMING SEASON HAS BEGUN

After leaving Alice Springs and the Red Centre behind, we have travelled for two and a bit days  with overnight stops at Devils Marbles and Daly Waters to arrive at our first swimming hole at Mataranka…Bitter Springs!!!

After setting up camp and hiring some noodles we walked to Bitter Springs and spent much of the day floating down the 32 degree turquoise waters, getting out and doing it all again.

A magic spot and one of our highlights on such an eventful trip. Welcome to the Top End!

The Beanie Festival.....

As luck would have it we arrived back in  Alice Springs (from Kintore) just in time for the opening of the Beanie Festival.  And what an array!  I have never in my life seen so many beanies!  People from all over Australia contribute their creations which are for sale.  It would seem too that people from all over Australia travel to Alice Springs specifically at this time to attend the Beanie Festival!

We had great fun viewing the thousands of beanies and felt hats on display and trying on a few (which was openly encouraged.)  What joy!  Here are some photos to help tell the story.... 

A colourful and creative felt panel made by people from the Papunya (on the road to Kintore) community

 

Gracie loved Olaf

In the background is a felt mural depicting the McDonnell Ranges 

PARTING GIFT

Today was our last day in the Kintore community…a community of people whom we have very much fallen in love with.

We were thrilled to receive a magnificent piece of art which has been painted by one of the Pintupi teacher aides…the very talented Lorna.

The painting represents women performing the tasks of hunting goanna, digging for water and meeting together surrounded by  their country which  includes sandhills (white dots) and waterholes (orange dots).

When we get home and hang our picture we will view it with many wonderful memories of the charming people and the stunning landscape that we encountered.

Thank you Kintore! We will be back.

WOMEN'S ROCK

This afternoon we were taken out by Lorna to a culturally significant rock formation.

She told the story of two women who had travelled a long way and were gathering bush tucker when they noticed they were being watched by some tjilpi (old men). The women were embarrassed and embraced to hide from them.

Lorna then invited Robyn to re-enact the scene. 

Some tjilpi watching





The two women embracing



Lorna explaining story

UNDER THE MILKY WAY

Back in Kintore for a two week teaching stint that will take us to the end of the N.T. second term (June the 19^th). The Territory schools then have a four week mid semester break (only having one week holidays term one and three!) Then it will be time to say goodbye to the Red Desert region (with sadness!) and start making our way north (with excitement) towards Katherine.

We’ve been able to discover and explore more stunning parts of the Gibson Desert during our spare moments here.

We were taken by the local staff….Nick, Gabby and Sally for a B.B.Q.  viewing of yet another magnificent sunset at a nearby red sand dune.

Spent Sunday night camping at a rocky outcrop east of Kintore sleeping under an immense starlit night sky…an unforgettable experience!

And yet another glorious sunset

Staff at Kintore, Nick, Sally and Gabby (with Harry)

Gracie and Robyn looking over the Gibson Deset

Brilliant sunlit rocky outcrop

Camp site.