First day at K'Gari

Tuesday, 07 June, 2005 by Cheryl W. Colan

We had a quick breakfast and headed for the ferry this morning. In the chaos loading the trailers and getting everyone in the 4X4s, even though we yelled out "time to go" several times, we managed to leave our youngest two women behind in their tent at Scrub Hill. Fortunately one of the community members, Jason, was able to drive them down to the ferry landing. We have to be better at counting heads!

I found it magical to watch the students react to the ferry ride and their first close sight of K'Gari. We were blessed by the most beautiful rainbow as we left. The end of it appeared to rest just out of reach in the water off the bough of the boat. Many students were absorbed looking for dolphins and other sea animals.

The biggest joy to me is that Joe Gala is coming over to K'Gari with us. He was meant to last year but didn't make it. This year we will have both Joe and Chris, our wonderful guide from last year. I've been savoring the anticipation of the unknown special moments to come.

Once at K'Gari, we proceeded to Central Station where Joe gave us a brief orientation to the island. We walked the rainforest area around the station and drank in the scents and sounds as well as the beauty. Teri made the comment "This is pure energy." And she's right. It is the most pure and pristine manifestation of life I have ever seen. This year I went down to Wangoolba Creek and drank from it along with several of the students. No purer water is bottled anywhere.

We left Central Station and stopped by the Ranger Station for permits. Next we drove to Eurong and had lunch at the same little bakery as last year. They were out of curry pies, so I had a beef and potato pie. For dessert, I ate a Magnum ice cream bar, thinking of absent friends (Hi, Rachel! Hi, Andrew!). Then it was out to zooming down the beach. It's not peak whale season, but we still sited a few whales breaking the surface. One of the 4X4s began to overheat, so we stopped briefly at Eli Creek. Many students went wading, and John went in swimming. Mamie, who is one of the most exuberant and joyful people I have ever met, actually got down and made an angel in the sand. The last stop before camp was the wreck of the Maheno. The tide was well out, so we could actually walk around the inside of the rusting ship.

Gail and Charles thought of absolutely everything. They pre-purchased a plate and utensil kit for each of us, along with a tea towel and a cloth bag to keep everything inside. Each student will be responsible for cleaning up their own plates and utensils, and the remaining cleanup will rotate among everyone. Gail and Charles also brought a large camp barbecue and a smaller portable one. They even arranged for a propane-run fridge to be delivered to us. So we've been able to bring over a lot more food.

Settling in was easy and pleasant. We had a lovely stew for our evening meal, and we met Gemma, an aboriginal woman and artist who will be working with us to create the mural. Mamie and I actually stayed up late talking to her around the campfire sharing life experiences and stories. I am blown away by Gemma's depth of passion for her people and her overwhelming vitality. She has invited the women to walk to the Colored Sands with her at dawn. She wants to photograph them in the morning light, and also to go in and repair any marks left by tourists which deface this sacred place. I went to bed around 11 p.m. knowing I had made a new friend.