Tag along tours with Brain Lee Hunter 27th September
Monday we had booked a tag along tour with Brian Lee Hunter a local Bardi man who is one of the Traditional owners of Kooljaman. A tag along is when you take your own car and basically tag along. We started our trip behind the dunes where Brian showed us all the little things like, what makes those tracks in the sand.
He explained some of the lethal things in the ocean like cone fish and how they can stick you with their barb sideways as well as end ways and shared a story where he got stung by an Irukandji jelly fish ( a very toxic jelly fish that can cause death) and his new wife had to pee on him (this helps with the pain) in front of his daughter which he said was a sight to behold. LOL. He did receive proper care once in hospital.
He taught us how to whistle using a shell.
We then drove along a magnificent beach and were treated to swim at the end and the boys tried to catch us some fish ( no luck)
After our swim we headed down the river for some mud crabbing.
You can only go crabbing when the tide is right as it comes in so fast you can get caught out in less than 5 mins.
Nash was keen to catch a crab so he grabbed a rod and headed off with Brian into the creek and the mangroves.
Woo hoo success.
The tide changed and a brackish shallow creek turned into a massive tidal river within 20 minutes.
Brian launched his tinnie (small boat) and took people out for a look at the river and to try their hand at traditional spear fishing. The first group came back with one of the boys on the tour grinning from ear to ear, Brian had got him to jump off the boat and catch a turtle with his bare hands. What an experience. We were not left out we all got to hold the turtle (they are heavy) and a second one was caught and we were shown how to clean the algae off her shell with the sand. 'Sensational ' loving this
Turtle day spa
Brian was generous with his knowledge and shared stories of the traditional ways.
After a lazy afternoon swimming in the river (we did get out a couple of times for passing sharks one who took a disliking to the boat and gave it a chomp) 😟
We headed off for bit of boomerang throwing on the beach. It was explained that the boomerang could be used for hunting or fighting.
Just when we thought the day was over this not so little girl showed up on the beach and was digging a nest for her eggs.
Turtle tracks
She is a Hawksbill Turtle and are they are listed as critically endangered. So very special see her.
Thanks Brian for an unforgettable day
That was a really fun day
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