Dune!

Sunday, 11 July, 2004 by Donna V. Whitmore

We left camp early to see lots more of the Island. One of our first stops was at the Dune, the most massive sand dune you can imagine! It is approximately 10 stories high and has completely covered all trees and vegetation that was there. It has built up over many years, all the sand blowing in from the ocean and accumulating to form the dune. Awesome!

At dusk we went to a scared women's lake, Lake Allum, a small, beautiful lake surrounded by tea trees at the water's edge which are backed up by huge pine trees. We had been told there are many turtles in the lake, but it is rare to see any. Much to our surprise, we had not been at the edge of the lake for more than a few minutes when the turtles came swimming up to greet us!

Aboriginal men are not allowed to go to Lake Allum. Joe told us later back in Hervey Bay that he once guided a group such as ours to Fraser Island and took them to this Lake. When they got there, they expected to see the turtles, but no turtles came to the shore. Joe began calling them (with some sort of chant) and, sure enough, they came swimming over to greet the visitors! He also told us he was later reprimanded by the Aboriginal Elders for going to the Lake. Joe is an amazing guy!

On our way back to camp, we saw Narowe on the beach - she is beautiful! We also saw an eagle, shore birds, pelicans and other unidentified birds. The wreck of the Meheno, cut loose from a boat towing it to Japan in 1935, sits on the shore, now rusted and weathered. Built in Ireland, it was purchased by the Japanese from New Zealand with the intent of scraping it to make munitions for use at Pearl Harbor.

Narowe came to join us for dinner along with Auntie Pauline, Chris and Malcolm. Most of the group went to the beach and built a huge bonfire later; some of us went to bed!

Word for the day: DUNE!