This is a poem I wrote, regarding the past week. It started just after leaving the Aboriginal Laura Dance Festival on Sunday (the 21st). We arrived in Cooktown, on Sunday evening and spent Sunday night sleeping on the grass in a park in the middle of Cooktown, under the palms trees and stars with kangaroos hopping around.. What a great experience. Cooktown was the most northerly place we have access to on this roadtrip. So it was the hottest too.. We had an amazing week, and this poem sums it all up..
Arriving at a beach, going by the name of Quarantine Bay
Early on Monday morning; the start of another amazing day
In Cooktown it was, this bay we found so great
A little tropical paradise, for us it did await
We didn't have any plans, nor had we a clue
Of how long we'd stay or what we would do
Camping was prohibited but we didn't really care
All these signs were pissing us off and it seemed so unfair
So we decided to take a chance and stay for just one night
And take as much as possible from this beautiful sight
We camped within meters of that tropical beach
With a view so surreal but never out of reach
One day of baking in the sun wasn't really enough
We were having great times and they never got too tough
Doing nothing and finding the ease in living in isolation
Because there weren't many visitors and there was no civilization
One night turned into two and soon in to three
The days just kept on rolling and we were feeling so free
What were we doing and how did we fill our days?
It was mainly with relaxation and soaking up the rays
Another couple set up camp, after our first night
Tarnie and Kieran they were, and they shared in our delight
Gazing at the stars at night and listening for crocs
Apparently a 4-metered one had been spotted on our rocks
This happened weeks ago, so the danger was still there
That an encounter with this monster could cause a big scare
So swimming wasn't advisable but we did it anyhow
We weren't very sensible, when I look back on it now
The thrill of the croc being around, was definitely the case
It kept us on our toes all day and Jason longed to see it's face
We never did get a sighting of that 4 metered beast
However we did manage to hunt for food and cook up a feast
Jason is the bushman or the hunter from back then
And so a wild turkey soon would become a fried hen
He saw this turkey hanging around and simply couldn't resist
So to catch it with a snare, showed that his determination would persist
We killed and gutted it and threw it under the heat of the fire
It was going to be our dinner and our belief couldn't have been higher
Belief that this turkey would be delicious without a doubt
Belief that we were self sufficient and would never go without
But when it came to dinnertime, things weren't as they seemed
The turkey that was meant to be so nice would never be redeemed
It turned out back and not so tasty, or disgusting would be the word
It was the most overcooked and underfed turkey existing in the world
We did feel bad for taking his life and not eating his meat
But there was nothing we could do, except chill out in the heat
Then we came across palm trees with coconuts galore
Jason was climbing it, as he was ready and eager to explore
Coconut milk and the fruit itself, were soon coming out of our ears
And that's so much more tropical than having a few beers
Then came the afternoon of acting as Tom Hanks
After Jason made a spear to fish, and not on the rivers banks
Fishing as in Castaway, with the hunters eye and strength
And it actually worked to both our shocks, as a stingray caught a dent
It's a fish native to Oz and the type that's made to kill
But for us it was a yummy meal and for Jason another thrill
A sunrise each and every morning, above the deep blue sea
5 nights and 5 days of bliss, was all that mattered to me
That week has now ended and it belongs in the past
But the effect it had on both of us, was precious enough to always last..
Showing posts with label Cooktown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooktown. Show all posts
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
A crazy place called Laura
Friday the 19th of June. We left the tropics and were bound for Cooktown. This would be the furthest north we would get on this roadtrip. Seeing as though a 4-wheel-drive is needed to get up anywhere near the top of Cape York (most northerly point of Queensland). Little old Myvan wouldn't be capable of driving on unsealed roads, well not for a great distance anyhow.
But back to Friday, the craziest day by far. We had planned to reach Cooktown, but the coarse of action changed, as we stopped randomly at a scenic look-out on the top of a hill, and got chatting to a French couple. They were heading to the Laura Dance Festival. We didn't know what it was about, but it seemed like an amazing event, in an extremely deserted place called Laura, that's only accessible with a 4-wheel-drive. We thought that it would be far too risky to try driving the van to such a remote place on extremely bad and unsealed roads. But it was only 60 km's off the track from where we were heading.. It was a once in a lifetime chance, mainly due to the fact that this festival is only held once every 2 years and it's extremely popular and it was starting on that very same day! Oh god.. we were so torn. We didn't know what was best to do.. To take a risk of having some problems with the van, be stuck somewhere remote without any coverage on our phones and spend quite a lot money getting there, with fuel and the tickets too? Or just be sensible and head to Cooktown, knowing we'd get there in one piece and still have money in the end?
Well, we aren't ones to shy away from a challenge, and thought it was far too much of a coincidence for us to be so close to such an event and not go. So we took a big risk, and took the turn-off to Laura.. We were just going with the fancy of the moment..!
And what a moment it was.. or momentsssss I mean. The road was unsealed for most of the way, the van was rattling like crazy, the dust was hurrendous, the sun was setting, we had to speed along to make it before sunset because the fuses in the van kept on going, which meant we wouldn't have had any lights, and the kangaroos were about the make their appearance too.. We were flung from one end of the van to the other.. and were totally strung out.. BUT WE MADE IT!!! And you never guess what.. when we got there, we couldn't get in because we didn't have any cash.. There was nowhere for another 15 km's, for us to get money from an ATM. Oh my god. I really thought, whilst driving along more dirtroads and being thrown about just a little bit more, that that was the time we were either going to breakdown or run over a kangaroo and get thrown off the road ourselves. But it wasn't. Halleluja!! Instead we seen the most remote little place, we had ever been. We were in search of the gasstation for this atm machine, and before we knew what was happening, the road got dark and seemed to vanish and we were driving along a creekbed, just hoping we were heading in the right direction. It freaked me out massively. But around the corner, there actually was a gas station and an ATM.. Thank the lord once more... It was the weirdest drive I've had in all my life. And one of the craziest. But we managed to get money out, and made it back to the festival and we couldn't have been happier..
The festival was amazing. It was something I've never experienced before. It was an indigenous festival, with dance competitions. The competitors were Aboriginal tribes from all over Queensland. It was like ceremonies from way back when. They performed these acts, and actually looked like the aborignal people everybody thinks of, when thinking of Australia. It was so special. And the idea behind it was so inspiring. It basically was an event to support these tribes and for them to show others what it means to be apart of a tribe. They are so proud and are proper bush people and they aim to keep their traditions alive, just like any culture does. The moral behind it was beautiful. And I couldn't quite believe I was there, seeing how these Aboriginal people keep their culture going, from one generation to the next. Here in Australia so many people have a certain opinion of them, but seeing them and hearing them speak over the microphone about their culture and what it means to them, and how they seek support and how proud they are, even when so often being treated like foreigners in their own land, really struck a cord. Not only to see these performances and these people and to hear their words, but also the vibe of the festival. It was drug and alcohol free, which was so great. There were around 4000 people camping and there was so much togetherness there. I'd never been apart of something like that before. And it opened my eyes in so many ways.
It lasted 3 days, Sunday afternoon it was all over. It went by so fast, we met some great and inspiring people and the whole experience just overwhelmed us both. So much so, that at one stage I could hardly take it anymore. I was so effected by where we were and by what was going on that it all got a bit too much. As well as the heat, there were so many mixed emotions. But nothing that a jump in the river and a time-out wouldn't fix. What a trip.. that's all I can say..
We left on Sunday afternoon (21st) on a massive high, and pretty drained.. But so grateful for having met that French couple at the scenice look-out who gave us the idea of going.. So so grateful..
But back to Friday, the craziest day by far. We had planned to reach Cooktown, but the coarse of action changed, as we stopped randomly at a scenic look-out on the top of a hill, and got chatting to a French couple. They were heading to the Laura Dance Festival. We didn't know what it was about, but it seemed like an amazing event, in an extremely deserted place called Laura, that's only accessible with a 4-wheel-drive. We thought that it would be far too risky to try driving the van to such a remote place on extremely bad and unsealed roads. But it was only 60 km's off the track from where we were heading.. It was a once in a lifetime chance, mainly due to the fact that this festival is only held once every 2 years and it's extremely popular and it was starting on that very same day! Oh god.. we were so torn. We didn't know what was best to do.. To take a risk of having some problems with the van, be stuck somewhere remote without any coverage on our phones and spend quite a lot money getting there, with fuel and the tickets too? Or just be sensible and head to Cooktown, knowing we'd get there in one piece and still have money in the end?
Well, we aren't ones to shy away from a challenge, and thought it was far too much of a coincidence for us to be so close to such an event and not go. So we took a big risk, and took the turn-off to Laura.. We were just going with the fancy of the moment..!
And what a moment it was.. or momentsssss I mean. The road was unsealed for most of the way, the van was rattling like crazy, the dust was hurrendous, the sun was setting, we had to speed along to make it before sunset because the fuses in the van kept on going, which meant we wouldn't have had any lights, and the kangaroos were about the make their appearance too.. We were flung from one end of the van to the other.. and were totally strung out.. BUT WE MADE IT!!! And you never guess what.. when we got there, we couldn't get in because we didn't have any cash.. There was nowhere for another 15 km's, for us to get money from an ATM. Oh my god. I really thought, whilst driving along more dirtroads and being thrown about just a little bit more, that that was the time we were either going to breakdown or run over a kangaroo and get thrown off the road ourselves. But it wasn't. Halleluja!! Instead we seen the most remote little place, we had ever been. We were in search of the gasstation for this atm machine, and before we knew what was happening, the road got dark and seemed to vanish and we were driving along a creekbed, just hoping we were heading in the right direction. It freaked me out massively. But around the corner, there actually was a gas station and an ATM.. Thank the lord once more... It was the weirdest drive I've had in all my life. And one of the craziest. But we managed to get money out, and made it back to the festival and we couldn't have been happier..
The festival was amazing. It was something I've never experienced before. It was an indigenous festival, with dance competitions. The competitors were Aboriginal tribes from all over Queensland. It was like ceremonies from way back when. They performed these acts, and actually looked like the aborignal people everybody thinks of, when thinking of Australia. It was so special. And the idea behind it was so inspiring. It basically was an event to support these tribes and for them to show others what it means to be apart of a tribe. They are so proud and are proper bush people and they aim to keep their traditions alive, just like any culture does. The moral behind it was beautiful. And I couldn't quite believe I was there, seeing how these Aboriginal people keep their culture going, from one generation to the next. Here in Australia so many people have a certain opinion of them, but seeing them and hearing them speak over the microphone about their culture and what it means to them, and how they seek support and how proud they are, even when so often being treated like foreigners in their own land, really struck a cord. Not only to see these performances and these people and to hear their words, but also the vibe of the festival. It was drug and alcohol free, which was so great. There were around 4000 people camping and there was so much togetherness there. I'd never been apart of something like that before. And it opened my eyes in so many ways.
It lasted 3 days, Sunday afternoon it was all over. It went by so fast, we met some great and inspiring people and the whole experience just overwhelmed us both. So much so, that at one stage I could hardly take it anymore. I was so effected by where we were and by what was going on that it all got a bit too much. As well as the heat, there were so many mixed emotions. But nothing that a jump in the river and a time-out wouldn't fix. What a trip.. that's all I can say..
We left on Sunday afternoon (21st) on a massive high, and pretty drained.. But so grateful for having met that French couple at the scenice look-out who gave us the idea of going.. So so grateful..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)