Day 3 - Saibai Thrills

The day began with an early morning flight as we boarded the 10-seater plane for our journey from Horn Island to Saibai Island.  There were a few slight differences to a 'normal' commercial flight like putting your bags at the back, collapsable seats and having to blow up your own life jacket but we had a skilled pilot so there were no worries.  It was simply breathtaking flying over the islands  seeing the picturesque blue water dotted with islands.  

After about 1hr and a short drop off at Boigu Island we landed on Saibai.  You can read all the reviews you want but until you fly over it you don't realise how close Saibai actually is to PNG.  How close it is to a totally different lifestyle and how much of a culture shock it is for a young boy from the Torres Strait to come to the regional city life of Yeppoon.  My immediate thought as we hit the tarmac and the pilot turned at the end of the runway was about the little Year 8s who start at our College.  How daunting it must be on your first flight, with your parents waving goodbye at the airport, leaving everything you've known behind to head off to boarding school. I tried as hard as I could to imagine those emotions in that moment on the tarmac and I'm sure I didn't even come close.

We collected our bags, made the short walk to the council office to check in at the guest houses and then head off to explore Saibai island village.  Slowly walking along the main road on the beachfront feeling the ocean breeze and hot tropical air we were greeted by a few young, carefree and happy Saibai Island girls playing on the beach who just loved the camera.  We made our way down to Robson Aniba's house and met his mother Millicent and his little brother Jack. Robson was out setting traps but returned soon enough to take us on a guided tour.  We met friendly locals and finally saw all those addresses belonging to our current and ex-students like the Dau's, Warusam's and Wosomo's. 

 

In the afternoon we were treated to an amazing experience as Robson offered to  take us on his boat and show us the sandy beach and camping grounds around the other side of the island.  It's usually off limits for visitors to go anywhere but the main road along the front the island but with Robson we were able to go and see places you normally couldn't.  It was an exhilarating dinghy ride and before we knew it we were at the beach. Robson displayed so much knowledge talking about the ocean, marine life, tides and plant life.  Deb and I were fortunate enough to feel the sand between our toes while Cathy and Sue guarded the boat incase of approaching crocs. They did a fantastic job at that aswell with Cathy even swimming into the mangroves to make sure or so she said.  Admist the enjoyable time it was impossible to miss the man Robson is. He has this aura about him at home in his culture.  The way he looked after us today and made us feel welcome in his home community with his people made the day even more special.  

The highlight though of the day was in the morning with the PNG locals coming over to trade.  Cathy was hanging for the markets and the rest of is were all as excited. Typical male I was I knew why I wanted and was in and out quickly with my purchases.  Everything you buy here has to get check by quarantine and is wrapped in a black garbage bag for travel so at least we will have a present to open when we get home!