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It took a long time to get to Gapuwiyak.
I had to fly to Brisbane, Darwin and then Gove, then take a tiny two-seater to Gapuwiyak itself. It was the smallest plane I've been in yet.
Gapuwiyak is a very positive community and people are so friendly. Walking to the school in the morning to film the kids, people actually run out of their houses to yell out good morning to me!
I was also invited to one couple's home to meet Speedy, the domesticated wallaby. Speedy has a particular liking for left overs and easily jumps up onto the kitchen table to lick the plates. He also gets on famously with the couple's big staffy, and they often curl up to sleep together.
Along the way, I have been lucky enough to befriend gorgeous Kalia. She is two years old and loved playing with my blonde hair and the camera. I even got a few big kisses on my cheek.
My abode is a donga - not the smallest I've been in, unlike the plane on the way here - but nothing really to write home about. Accommodation is very hard to come by in Gapuwiyak so I was just thankful I wasn't camping out under the stars.
I've been buying my food from the local store - and paying $5.50 for biscuits that would cost 2 dollars in Sydney! There's got to be a story there!
It's not as humid here as in Darwin, but it is hot! I've had to walk most of the time because I don't have a car. The community is small and everything is within walking distance, but it's no picnic in 35-degree heat with 10 kilos of equipment on your back. The camp dogs follow me, which is a little scary, especially since one of the guys showed me a big bite mark on his leg.
Gapuwiyak is beautiful - it's set on a lake with scrub all around. You have to watch out for the buffalos... and then there was the crocodile that was on the bank where I was meant to do my piece to camera. They don't teach you how to deal with that on hostile environments training!
I had to fly to Brisbane, Darwin and then Gove, then take a tiny two-seater to Gapuwiyak itself. It was the smallest plane I've been in yet.
Gapuwiyak is a very positive community and people are so friendly. Walking to the school in the morning to film the kids, people actually run out of their houses to yell out good morning to me!
I was also invited to one couple's home to meet Speedy, the domesticated wallaby. Speedy has a particular liking for left overs and easily jumps up onto the kitchen table to lick the plates. He also gets on famously with the couple's big staffy, and they often curl up to sleep together.
Along the way, I have been lucky enough to befriend gorgeous Kalia. She is two years old and loved playing with my blonde hair and the camera. I even got a few big kisses on my cheek.
My abode is a donga - not the smallest I've been in, unlike the plane on the way here - but nothing really to write home about. Accommodation is very hard to come by in Gapuwiyak so I was just thankful I wasn't camping out under the stars.
I've been buying my food from the local store - and paying $5.50 for biscuits that would cost 2 dollars in Sydney! There's got to be a story there!
It's not as humid here as in Darwin, but it is hot! I've had to walk most of the time because I don't have a car. The community is small and everything is within walking distance, but it's no picnic in 35-degree heat with 10 kilos of equipment on your back. The camp dogs follow me, which is a little scary, especially since one of the guys showed me a big bite mark on his leg.
Gapuwiyak is beautiful - it's set on a lake with scrub all around. You have to watch out for the buffalos... and then there was the crocodile that was on the bank where I was meant to do my piece to camera. They don't teach you how to deal with that on hostile environments training!
