Our driver/guide, Cavel, picked us up in a vehicle just 6 months old. It was very comfortable and he was a supportive and great guide, We really enjoyed his stories.
Our
first stop was at the art studio Janbal to meet with the Indigenous
artist, Brian "Binna" Swindley where we had a lesson in dot painting. I
discovered that I must have left my artistic talent in kindergarten,
but I gave it a try and had a great time. Brian also sells some of his
art work in the studio. He told us that starting April, 2014, the
guests who visit the studio will be able to do their paintings on canvas
instead of the dried nut we used and eventually made into a key ring.
All the paints were made from natural ingredients native to Aboriginal
art. Although Brian was born deaf, he has mastered both conversation
and playing the didgeridoo very well.
Once we finished our painting "class", we were on the way to meet our Indigenous guide, Roy to do the Wander tour into the lush rainforest of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park - Mossman Gorge. This is the home of the Kuku Yalanji people. We were able to experience one of the world's oldest and most beautiful rain forests on the planet. It was an easy going walk across board walks, tracks and bridges protecting the delicate landscape. It was a little too cold to swim so we didn't have any takers for this experience. We did learn a lot about the Indigenous history, the education of their young boys and girls, marriage traditions and we were able to see how Roy was able to obtain soap from the sasaporilla plant. Our tour was completed and we had lunch at the new Mossman Gorge Centre.
Once we finished lunch we were on our way again to meet with Brandon to find out more about hunting and gathering......Off with the long pants and on with the shorts as we prepared to choose our spears and head out into the crystal waters (okay the tide was out so it was mainly the mudflats of Cooya Beach) to gather shell fish, mussels and whatever else could be found along the way and in the Mangrove forest. Some were hunters, some were gatherers and a couple of us watched the tide come in. After the exercise, we all gathered across the street from the beach where Brandon's parents have their home. They are very gracious hosts and treated us to tea and muffins while Brandon cooked the catch of the day. Those who eat shell fish based in the spicy flavor of the catch. A great end to a meaningful and educational tour.
