We certainly packed a lot into our last day on the Tiwi Islands. We took on the longest journey of all in the Troopie - travelling to the beautiful community of Pirlangimpi. Home to Munupi arts, the Garden Point Stolen Generations and the famous Rioli football family.
We were welcomed like royalty to the Munupi Art centre where a number of artists proudly showed us their pieces. Mrs Meibusch and Ryan were worried that their purchases would take them over the 10 kg limit on the plane home. But more of planes later.
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| A visit to the Pirlangimpi Women's Centre with Sr Barbara |
We then partook of the usual wonderful morning tea and lunch spread prepared by Mrs Ryan and Mrs Meibusch. Bernard and Mark told us they could beat yesterday's picnic spots and they weren't wrong! Here is the morning tea spot at Pirlangimpi.
And then here is lunch at a swimming spot just outside the community.
Following our time in this little patch of paradise we dropped Bernard back at the community of Nguiu for the last time. There was some excitement in the air as we got to say good bye to Tahlia and her little sister Tiara as well as Bernard and Lynette in the local post office.
For the final time we drove back to Tiwi College and packed out gear ready to board the plane back to Darwin. There was some sadness in the camp with a few of the girls quietly hoping that we could stay longer. When the plane arrived there was a little apprehension at the size of it. We put that to one side and listened attentively to the safety instructions. You need that whistle on your life jacket if you ditch in croc infested waters!
And then...... the prayers were answered. The starter motor on one of the engines would not play ball. A second and third plane were sent from Darwin with mechanics and other pilots - but there was no joy!
Two local Tiwi men came to the runway and said the ancestors wnated us to stay! And then we bundled into a second plane and headed over the water. There were some quiet tears shed as we watched the sun set over these magnificent islands. There have been eyes opened, hearts touched and lessons learnt by us all.
Thank you so much Mark for blogging for us so that we could catch a glimpse into what our daughters were up to for the week, and showing them such a fabulous time. Thank you also to Debbie and Janet for looking after our precious cargo. Lots of stories and all of them good ones. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the Tiwi experience. xo
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