This morning Michelle and I were up very early, when I say very early we are talking 4am!! This morning we had the privilege of being invited to a traditional aboriginal crying ceremony. Aboriginal female elders cry in the day as the sun begins to rise, cry for their land and their people, mourn and comfort and call to each other. It was a ladies only morning and we sat silent in the darkness waiting for the ceremony to begin. When it did it was fascinating, eerie, spiritual, like something I have never experienced. Eunice had told us that what they are doing is airing their woes, their hopes and speaking to their ancestors. It is one of the greatest honours to be invited to a crying ceremony and it certainly felt very special, we felt like one with the aboriginal community. This is exactly what the Garma is all about trying to show the white Australian that we are one and all should be treated with the greatest respect. Everyone left quietly I think it had had some profound affect on us all. No cameras or recordings were allowed. It was mostly ladies at breakfast this morning with it still being so early in the morning. Michelle and I ate breakfast then headed back to camp to pick up Jock, Trevor and Emma. Once at camp Sue Ellen called to say not much different happening at Garma today and advised us to go exploring and be back at Garma for the Bunngal.
Melville Bay was where we headed to explore, there and the town wharf, someone had told Jock and Trevor fishing was good at the town wharf. We found the yacht club and boat ramp. We saw the ugly mine that was now being dismantled thank goodness, what an eye sore. But we had it explained to us that Nhulumbuy would not be the little town it is without it. It was the mining owners that built the town structure and it has benefitted the locals greatly. But nice to see it is going. The town wharf was well set up for people to picnic and fish and although it was right next to the shipping port it had a lovely outlook.
Time flew, we had had a great explore but it was time to head back to the Garma for the evening Bunngal, there is no way we wanted to miss that. Once again a great evening of dance. We decided not to stay for dinner but went back to camp and ordered pizza for a quiet night by the van. Tomorrow is last day of Garma, can’t believe it has gone so fast. It is going to be sad to say goodbye to this experience.
Douglas's Downunder 
Great that you had a chance to have a look around.