Indigenous Australians

The KARIYARRA people have traditionally inhabited the Port Hedland area. They called the place MARAPIKURRINYA - "place where 5 tidal creeks begin".

European settlement began about a century ago, but significant development only started in the 1960s with mining operations needing a port. Massive expansion occurred since the 1980s.

BHP and other companies strive to employ indigenous people amongst their multicultural workforce.

Hanging out in the shade next to the mall.

Aboriginal camp close to hospital.

Aboriginal patients constitute a disproportionate percentage of hospital patients.

Young barefoot cyclist.

Open 24hrs a day - providing dubious nutrition and passable coffee.

BREAKING NEWS - Side Trip to PORT HEDLAND, WA

WA not WA - that is Western Australia not Washington State USA.

I am here for a 3 week locum at the brand new regional hospital.

Port Hedland is a town (actually 2 towns Port Hedland and South Hedland more inland) of nearly 20,000 people in the Pilbara region of WA approximately 1800km north of Perth. It is one of the largest iron ore exporting ports in the world. I could count 17 large ore carriers in the roadstead awaiting a berth, as well as several in the harbour itself.

Pilbara refers to an Aboriginal word for mullet (Domi take note - but it's the fish, not the hair), or maybe "bilybara" meaning "dry". When one sees mineworkers and others clad in fluorescent safety shirts, come to the bottle shop (liquor store) at the end of a shift, and leave heavily laden, it is clearly not going to be a dry night ahead.

It is hot and humid, with unusually heavy and frequent rains this year (highway was blocked recently south of here) preventing food trucks getting through for several days. Most food is trucked in from Perth - even fresh produce grown NORTH of here which goes to Perth first.

The airport has frequent flights to Perth and daily flights to Melbourne and as well as flights to Bali (only 2 hours away) and smaller regional centres.

The landscape is flat, featureless, big sky country with magnificent sunsets and sunrises, and mines and cathedral-like installations . The far hinterland has beautiful national parks but I cannot get away for long enough to visit these.

BHP SHEEP  - there is so much iron out there it has even affected the sheep.

Tourist Guide Map

Salt is harvested from sea water ponds.

No, this is not a ski slope. It's a mountain of salt.

Salty Sisters Three

Australian road trains, some 50m long, hauling 115 tons, sweep across Australia transporting goods. These bring in iron ore from some of the mines - one speeds by every few minutes.

Ore munching machinery at BHP.

I would stay clear of this one!

Harbour Control Tower.

Honk Kong registered Bulk Integrity entering harbour at high tide.

3 tugs needed to assist entry of 292m long ship.

"Old" Town

Beaugainvilleas wrapped like three Victorian ladies.

Big Sky country

Petrol prices

Port Hedland mall

Welcoming sculpture at park near harbour entrance.

BHP Cathedral

Another Cathedral

 
Memorial to Cyclone George 2007. Anyone who has experienced a cyclone or typhoon will identify with this sculpture.

≈

Public loo - automated.

And free - several around town.

Next coming up - artwork in SA

Here are a few samples - the best is yet to come!

Spiers Winery, Stellenbosch, Cape

We had an absolutely fabulous day here at the Spiers Winery, in Stellenbosch.  Marek had booked a table for us for noon hour lunch. We barely made it on time, as distractions along the way made us pause here and there - stalls selling African artefacts, a cool inviting pond, a shop with more alluring art.  The art scene is alive and well, and not only by local South Africans but by immigrants who have made South Africa their home, from Zimbabwe or from further afield like Zambia and Nigeria.

A map with all the places to see at Spiers. It's interesting to see the vineyards in the  background, and how development has taken place over the years to become something more embracing. There are Spier Hotel rooms where one can spend the night, shops, restaurants, ponds to have a picnic, a wildlife forum - a river runs through it, a whole world of its own.

A barrel and a bottle.

Which one should I choose?

The elegant Spiers Shop.

Wishing we could buy up the shop.

Our luncheon date - the decor has pizazz. 

Appetizers - bread with balsamic/oil and salt.

Out on the gorgeous patio - totally booked up for lunch.

The kitchen, brand spanking metalic new.

In between meals, a refreshing butternut-lemon soup to clear the tastebuds. What an interesting idea.
I know lemon sorbet is a favourite, so this was a surprise.

Organic wine.

A vegan meal - quinoa with lightly sauteed vegetables, topped with parsley.

Our server, disarmingly friendly and fun, with a great big ready smile.  He said he had moved from Johannesburg with his Mom and they really like living here in the Stellenbosch region.

The best pudding already eaten up, and apparently always so.

Delightful wire work with red hearts, a very characteristic art form.

This chocolate dessert was definitely worth the calories.

A delectable dish for two.

Cape Dutch architecture.