Ruminations from the Silver Muse.

[drron]

Next up was the Mother's Union choir from the Quetta Church. The church got it's name from a shipwreck here in 1890. After the sinking the church was named the Quetta Memorial cathedral. These women com from several different islands to stay at the church. If you like a retirement home The woman in the middle who led the singing and introduced the songs admits to being 80 but one of the others thought she was much closer to 90.

They took a while to set up.






After the performance.





Then a local Historian gave a brief history of the Islands. He was very kind when talking about the Queensland and Australian Governments treatment of the islands and it's peoples. However he did talk a fair bit about land rights and multiculturalism. Apparently a few Australians felt insulted and walked out. They obviously knew little of our history.






Native title is a major talking point here as the successful challenge to establish native title in the High Court was led by a Torres Strait Islander Eddie Mabo.

Eddie Mabo - Wikipedia

What's more the majority of Torres Strait Islanders I had met in the past was when working in Mackay Queensland where their ancestors had been brought to work the cane fields. Naturally the australian aboriginal population and the Torres straight Islanders rebelled against this which led to the infamous blackbirders. As America abolished slavery Australia started it.

Blackbirding - Wikipedia

 

[drron]

Next an legend to the local peoples. Gained fame as a dancer and in an indigenous troupe had several overseas tours. He became a choreographer. Came back to his small island and has become an artist, photographer and excels at craft. He designed and put together the stage decorations for today. As well he produces coconut oil. He has a large garden and the produce is distributed free to all the seniors on his island. So here is his small island on the map. Moa island.










So when back on board I googled him and found out why they believe he is a legend. just a few things i discovered.

HANS AHWANG — Carriberrie

www.carriberrie.com

Indigenous Dance at Kluge-Ruhe

Learn about the visit of Indigenous dancers to the Kluge-Ruhe Collection in February 2016.

kluge-ruhe.org

The Cairns Post

The Cairns Post

www.cairnspost.com.au

Contemporary Indigenous Dance: Continuing Connections to Culture

For the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, dance has always been a significant part of their culture and traditions. In First Nations’ culture, dance serves as a crucial form of storytelling, from one generation to the next. In the twenty-first century, these traditions continue...

www.yarn.com.au

 

[drron]

After the show I took Mrsdrron back to the tender whilst I explored the town. Too hot to go climbing the mountain though.
Opposite the dock is an old hotel.




And at the dock one of the favourite species of wildlife here.


And the views of the bay. You can just make out a tender.






So scenes around TI.




The playground and memorial park.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

The Quetta church.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

Quite a large supermarket. 3 other smaller ones in town as well.



I got a shock when i saw this.


Was surprised Woollies might be here. But walking in with me was the store manager. They just have a deal with Woolworths to use their buying group. Prices higher than the mainland but not outrageously so.

 

[drron]

Then the next church.














And I found this hard to believe.


It certainly was the busiest pub and it was lunch time but with burgers $20+ and main meals $35+ I decided I wasn't hungry

 

[drron]

And the littlest church.




A big ant's nest. Slightly left of centre below the mangos.


One of the biggest frangipani trees I have seen.

 

[drron]

Wow. Get the local news.






Obviously recent fires.


So i have completed a circuit of most of the town. Very relaxing views.










And now the freight port.

 

[drron]

Across the road an imposing building. Was the second Customs house built in 1938 beside the original wooden building which was demolished.




Now Border Force.


Then the tender ride back. I thought it would be smoother as we were going with the swell. however the tide was coming in fast and 2 currents met making it extremely choppy for the first part.






On the way back i saw a large green turtle. at first i thought it was seaweed but it put it;s head up. too late to get a photo. It is egg laying t ime so probably a female heading to her beach.

 

[drron]

I was back to the ship after 2pm so it was down to the Arts Cafe for a light lunch. I went the savory option with a salad and salami on a bun. Mrsdrron went the sweet option with a fruit platter and banana bread.






Not long after we set sail heading for Cairns and the cruise's end. Though there was another sea day to enjoy.






We were to go through the narrow strait just off Cape York but the pilot thought it would be too dangerous so only pictures of Islands just north of the Cape and possibly the east coast of the cape.

 

[drron]

Dinner in Atlantide.








For mains Mrsdrron asked for the chicken thigh appetiser and certainly got a larger serving. I had the chateaubriand.

 

[drron]

During the morning only distant views of the Australian coast and reefs that are part of the Great Barrier Reef.




So it was off to our last Atlantide lunch.




Mrsdrron had the crab cake and the lamb. Unlike me she likes meat very well done so this was perfect.




I had the Penne and then the squid which was not overcooked.




Then we both had the cheesecake for dessert.

 

[drron]

The afternoon was spent watching the coast and the Reef, This I think is Point Flattery.

 

[drron]

There was a trawler in action of this island.

 

[drron]

Our last dinner.


Mrsdrron started with the prawn coughtail and then her favourite dish the NZ lamb.



I decided to try the vegetable vol au vent and I liked it.


I then had the lobster bisque and my favourite main the fillet steak.



And we both had the night's dessert.

 

[drron]

Our last morning has us approaching the Cairns Cruise terminal.

 

[drron]

The Hilton on the wharf.










The facade of an old pub.

 

[drron]

We stayed on board until about 9.30 in the Arts Cafe. Our flight was just before 4pm but I was hoping if we left now we might find the Qantas checkin open before a previous flight. The fiendish plan worked perfectly as all look liked they had been checked in for the 10.30 flight so we walked in to empty check in lines and soon had left our bag behind and went to the Qantas lounge for 5 hours.

So only 1 flight to go. Views from the lounge.