Christmas on Darnley Island

Its a balmy Tuesday night, after Christmas. We are sitting on the verandah out the front of the house, as the sun sets over the sea. The sea is like glass and just over an hour ago we were snorkeling in it. We have a few tea light candles burning in clam shells and a mozzie coil burning as malaria and dengue are making their way here from PNG. Its still, and quiet and we know we love it.....10 days to go before we head home....

Christmas Day was a quiet affair with the four of us. We had an evening meal of turkey and sop sop, a traditional dish made with sweet potato and pumpkin all cooked in coconut cream ( Jenny Craig would love it!!!) I had been very convincing with the kids about not getting much for Christmas so they were surprised and happy when they opened their presents. Robert made me some shortbread and attached a pharmacy label to the box he put it in prescribing "one daily". A lovely thoughtful and yummy gift. We played some cards and watched a movie together. Although I missed family at home, it was lovely to be the four of us, especially as our time here draws to a close and it all gets busy when we head home. I want to savour these times together and make the most of them.

The island has been quiet too with just a couple of calls each day for minor things. We have been out swimming at least once a day and done some fishing as well on the jetty. I have decided that fishing is not about catching fish but enjoying the water and watching other people! There is always some activity at the jetty and one evening someone had filleted their fish on the jetty which encouraged these three!!

So with just a short time left, and some anxiety about fitting back into the world we left, Rob and I both feel like we need to "suck it all in", absorb as much of Darnley as we can. It has been so much more than I could have imagined. I have experienced emotions here that I have not before. I have been so saddened and angry by some of the neglect I have seen, particularly towards children. I have been furious by the culture of bullying here, particularly in the schools that just seems to be OK. I have been really frightened for our safety a couple of times....But the overall, parting feelings, are of amazement at this world, thankfulness at the genorosity of some of the locals, and a connection to a culture that I hope we will be able to come back to one day. I can't say a culture to belong to, as I don't think this is possible as an outsider. But a culture that has touched both our hearts and one that will stay with us.