Back in the wayoutback, I reminisce of my last day in town...

So I'm back at Arafura Pearl Farm at Beagle Bay; it's good to be back bush. But alas, as the new year begins, our boats are screwed. Yeah, we spend a good amount of time servicing our vessels, since an oil intake pipe is busted here, the steering fluid leaks there... I'm learning a small amount about boats, but the engines are damn dope, huge loud things. I feel like a kid again, in awe of massive machinery. Of course, we're also back to cleaning them pearl shells as well, since there are so many lines of shell out there. This here is the boat we use to ship to and from shore and the chipping boats; we call it the Eggshell. I'm glad it's alive, it sunk early December. Lots more roomy than the little tinny dinghy.

So anyway, I had a whole weekend in Broome to chill before coming back to work, and I had a real nice day on my last day in town. It seems like a while ago, sitting in the farm office typing... so anyway, I woke up in the morning at the Lasty's- Last Resort- my home in Broome, one of the best backpackers' I've stayed in (funny name, the people are real, like some Kiwi fishermen or Japanese chick who lives there waiting for her fishing boyfriend every week, there's a rock pool with running water, it's super comfy for me) and thought of what to do that day. And only one thing came to my mind. SKATE. So I drank madd water and skated down to the skatepark. Broome Skatebpark, on the way to Cable Beach: sooo good, real mellow transitions, a little flatbar, pyramid, banks... This is an homage to a UK television show that I've never seen, but I've heard of the boosh ride, and had some. Skate forever. It was real good, just cruisy and real warm, nice session.

And what's a skate mission without some of the locals? I met these kids (semi-primary colored t-shirts, whaaaat!) in the parking lot at the shops, and we had a good little skate, speed bumps and the local security guard lady told us not to grind the metal hatch-thing on the sidewalk. Good kids, definitely. While we were skating, I was all into it and I left my camera on the brick planter, and when I looked again it was gone. I was like daaamn, super bummed, and these three dudes helped me look for it for a while. I was like, aw, it's done, imma go now, thanks anyway bros. I was halfway back to the Lasty's when they come on their bikes like, "AAArrkkiiiii!!" and I turn around and they're like, "We found your camera!!!" YEEESSS! Awww the happiness! I was freaking elated, and I was like let's take a photo yo. And so, some of these photos are treasures because they were once lost and then found again. Thanks Jermaine and Co. Check the steez. That's Broometown, yeah.

Here's a bit of historical goodness, and in a way I feel like I am retracing the steps of some of my ancestors. This is the Japanese cemetary in Broome, where a plaque states that most lying here died from the bends from diving for pearls or in massive typhoons. A big reason why I came to work on the pearl farms in Broome is the history of Japanese people who came here in the mid 1800s from places like Wakayama and Taiji, and sort of their legacy. I've been to the library reading up on some stuff, and if it weren't for the Japanese, much of the industry wouldn't be what it is today. I paid my respects, and the cemetary really reminded me of those few I've visited in Japan. Thought of my grannies and grandfathers. A bit of an indirect ohakamairi, I guess. It's really a beautiful place.

Yup, now I have a stomach full of chicken, peas, and sweet potatoes, so I shall leave and go to sleep, for tomorrow is a new day. Later yalls, let's hope the boats don't break down too bad tomorrow.