October 21, 2015October 28, 2015 by canddaway

Boat people

The SIEV X memorial is a reminder of the 400 children, mothers and fathers who died on a refugee boat which sank in Indonesian waters inside a temporary Australian border protection surveillance area around the Christmas Islands in October 2001.

Each pole represents one person who died. Information nearby states: ‘Our message in making the memorial is that Australia is not a country defined by fear and greed. Love is stronger than fear. Kindness is stronger than greed’.

A challenge to live out in Australia and across Europe.

October 20, 2015 by canddaway

‘Roos and ‘toos

Saw our first kangaroos whilst walking in Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve this afternoon. Also a brief encounter with a lone cockatoo. Maybe a duck-billed platypus tomorrow?!

October 19, 2015October 19, 2015 by canddaway

Flag number three

Great to be with friends in Canberra (yet more ginger biscuits. Hurrah!)

The indigenous art in the National Gallery was soul-stirringly wonderful this morning.

We feel ready to set off and find that elusive kangaroo!

October 19, 2015October 19, 2015 by canddaway

Leaving & arriving

We passed close by this island somewhere in the Pacific between leaving Fiji and spying the east coast of Australia.

In Fiji time everything slows down and it seems easy to live more fully in the present moment. A gift of a week. Vinaka – thanks.

October 16, 2015October 19, 2015 by canddaway

Veseisei village

This village is believed to be the landing site of the first Fijians to the island.

The current chief of the district uses the thatched Bure to transact the community affairs. This open space is used for community gatherings and is respected by all including the children who play elsewhere.

October 15, 2015 by canddaway

Bounty Island

A fast boat to walk, snorkel and fish off this beautiful island.

The tropical fish we saw were absolutely astounding; an array of colour, shape and size . . . including a shark!

In Paradisium!

October 15, 2015 by canddaway

Second flag

The flag was due to change on 10 October 2015. Most Fijians we talk to don’t want a new flag. As far as we know the change has not taken place.

October 13, 2015 by canddaway

Bula!

We have arrived in Fiji. We spent the first day here slowing down to Fiji time, walking the beach, reading, watching the bird and fish life and enjoying a different rhythm of being.

The Fijians are kindly, friendly folk. Their greeting of ‘bula’ goes beyond the simple ‘hello’ and incorporates a spirit which literally means ‘life!’

October 9, 2015 by canddaway

Words for a traveller

‘Smile, breathe and go slowly.’

(Tich Nhat Hanh)

October 8, 2015October 8, 2015 by canddaway

Impressionists

SAM, Seattle Art Museum, is holding an exhibition of French Impressionists. This wonderful Odilon Redon painting ‘ Breton Village’, circa 1890, is imbued with a transparency of light.

Many thanks to SAM’s for allowing photography, a great help to those of us who need images to help us remember.

canddaway's Blog

a year of travel and pilgrimage across the planet

Month / October 2015