Thursday Island Qld Sunday 14 August 2002

 Thursday Island Qld Sunday 14 August 2002

We departed at 7am from Bamaga, Seisia actually, on a private charter of the ferry, because, like most things here, it doesn’t normally open or work on Sunday.

Departure lounge at Seisia Qld

Free camp. Seisia Qld

 We landed at Thursday Island and boarded a small bus, complete with tour guide. The bags were taken by ute the few hundred metres to the oldest (and possibly the only accommodation) hotel on TI (as its known) the Jardine Hotel. 

That's it. That is Thursday Island Qld

Thursday Island Qld

Thursday Island Qld

They had made a great song-and-dance out of this tour, so here we go. Now, TI is only the size of a large postage stamp, and came into existence in 1867 after the failure of Somerset Bay. It is the centre of Government administration for the Torres Strait Island and houses som 50 Government departments, although it is hard to see where except for a few fairly run-down looking buildings. Anyhow, The Tour. Straight up to the top of the Battery Point Hill, which is the home to the 1892 Fort, built to protect us from those Russians. It still has its three original canon, one of which fired one shot in anger during WWI. The boat bailed up bytes formidable battery turned out to be a ‘friendly’, so it was all OK. Our guide also happens to be the local historian and custodian of this museum, so even though it was Sunday, she opened it up so we could have a look around. We wandered around and looked at the views. Back on the bus we were driven around the foreshore and had the church  and graveyard pointed out. Then we were taken to our hotel where we would have morning tea and some time to explore.

Green Hill Fort, Battery Hill. Thursday Island Qld

Main Street. Thursday Island Qld

Main Street. Thursday Island Qld

Exploring consists of walking the 100 metres to the wharf, another to the shops (closed) and yet one more to the church, open, just. another step took us to the other church, which had just finished a service and all the brightly clad TI’landers were pouring out. We went inside for a look around and then back out across the road to the IGA (Open! but closing at noon)

After lunch we were taken on the local school bus, a bright yellow water taxi) across to Friday Island. Here we were to visit the last existing pearling operation in the islands. Having seen several pearl farms in WA, this was a bit of a let-down. Even the ladies, when let loose in the shop, came away muttering things like, sub-standard, expensive, shoddy looking jewellery, etc. We got the impression that the little man who owns and runs the place and has done for 47 years, was only doing it as a hobby. Mind you, at $135 a head for the tour, or $165 if you wanted lunch, you know where the money comes from.

Sago and Custard Pudding. Japanese cuisine. Friday  Island

Pearl farm. Friday  Island

Pearl Farm. Friday  Island

Best view of Friday Island....

Back on TI we went for a swim in the hotel pool, surprisingly good. And an early dinner and early to bed, we have another 7am start tomorrow.