Monday 27 February 2012

Our World Tuesday, ABC Wednesday, G for Guurrbi Tours and Willie Gordon

A few years ago I was in Australia, staying with my daughter. We decided to do the Guurbi tour. Our Aboriginal guide was Willie Gordon,who takes guests to his ancestral rock art sites, set in stunning countryside high in the hills above the Aboriginal compound of Hope Vale. Willie Gordon is an impressive guide, who tells his stories with a lot of humour. He knows how to involve the children in such a way that they are fascinated by his stories. He showed us the use of herbs and other plants.Willie Gordon is now listed as one of Australia's Ultimate Must-Do Experiences. With his great smile and infectious laugh he gives you an amazing insight into Aboriginal society and will have you thinking about your own relationship with the earth.







In the caves of Hope Vale are these rock paintings to be found. This is an interesting tour along the caves and through the forest, where our guide Willie Gordon showed us the use of various herbs, and bush medicines.
Willie Gordon says:"My country is north of Cooktown, in Cape York, Far North Queensland. It's on The Bama Way, an Aboriginal trail through Guugu Yimithirr and Kuku Yalanji country, which people can follow today, identifying places of historical and cultural significance along the way.
In the past our spirituality was woven into every level of our existence;it made us strong helped us to make good clear decisions, governed our laws.Our laws took into consideration all living things: animals, plants, birds as well as human beings. The laws were there to ensure the survival of all of my people, and the environment in which they lived. So in the past these two S's -Spirituality and Survival- were central to our existence."


Welcome to Our World Tuesday! This meme continues in memory of the work of Klaus Peter, whose "that's My World" brought people together from around the world every Monday to share the wonders therein--big and small.Please click on our new logo for "Our World Tuesday" in the sidebar.

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with G.

33 comments:

Sylvia K said...

What a great, interesting post for the day, Wil! Love the video! I hope your week is off to a good start! I can almost feel your excitement regarding your upcoming trip and I'm excited for you! I know you must be counting the days!!

Sylvia

Gattina said...

How interesting ! I have never been to Australia. It must be very beautiful. My son spent 6 weeks there and crossed the country with plane and rented car and liked it so much that he wanted to stay there, lol ! But his job called him back to London and now in Amsterdam.

hannah said...

One can find art in the most obscure places.And art is what one feels strongly. I had no idea that there were cave paintings there. Australia is becoming more and more of a temptation for me, after reading so many blogs from there. Their VVVV [?] must be so pleased.
My contribution is here

The Weaver of Grass said...

Wonderful Aboriginal art Wil - thank you for posting it.

Carver said...

Fascinating post and great shots. What an interesting place to explore.

Unknown said...

Interesting post!! Boom & gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Jonah, said...

It's great to learn about new cultures.

eileeninmd said...

What a great post. I love the art. Willie must be a terrific guide. You have given Willie a wonderful recommendation. Thanks for sharing your trip. Have a great week!

LifeRamblings said...

it's always great to get a glimpse of different cultures of other parts of the world. thanks for sharing.

Roger Owen Green said...

this was a GREAT idea!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Cloudia said...

Sometimes when I fear aging, you come to my mind, Wil. Your curiosity, joy in life, warmth, all make me feel that the future will be good. I guess I am saying that you have become my role model in a sense. Thank you for sharing heart and wisdom.


Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral

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Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I am in love with this post and with Willie Gordon! Thank you for sharing. How I wish I could be there in person!

Indrani said...

Australia has wonderful sights to offer. Great post.

Kay said...

This is so beautiful, Wil. I wish we could have done something like that when we were in Australia.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Austrian doctors treating the Dutch Prince Johan Friso say he suffered massive brain damage after being buried by an avalanche last week and he may never regain consciousness.:

SO VERY SAD.

Arkansas Patti said...

I just loved that video, thank you so much. What a facinating man. I'd like to follow him around for a month or two.
I love how his culture holds teachers and education to such high esteem. We all need to.

George said...

Thank you for sharing Willie Gordon and that beautiful art with us.

anthonynorth said...

I understand some of the oldest known art is Aboriginal. Beautiful and mystical.

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

I love how Willie makes things so real and personal. While I don't have any immediate plans to visit 'down under' I am definitely filing this away!

Have a great week.

photowannabe said...

Thank you for taking me on this fascinating trip to a world so different from my own.
A Good Guide can make all the difference.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Such an odd place to find beautiful arts like that!

Gold and Green
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team.

EG CameraGirl said...

I hope the aboriginal art is forever protected. It's such a treasure.

Anonymous said...

This is a very interesting post!
I have been once in Australia 15 years ago, but I only have seen the south (Victoria).
Hope I will visit this wonderful country again some day!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Wow! That was amazing! Great! Willie is my hero!

On behalf of the ABC Weds team, thank you for such an educational and entertaining post!

Paula
ABC Weds Team

Kay L. Davies said...

This was fascinating, Wil. I wish I had met Willie Gordon when I was in Queensland many years ago.
I hope you are keeping well. You must be getting excited about visiting the new baby!
K

Leslie: said...

Fascinating! If I ever get to Australia, I will definitely do the tour. looks great!

Leslie
abcw team

Rajesh said...

Beautiful paintings a true treasure to be preserved forever. Thanks for sharing.

Shooting Parrots said...

That is an inspiring video. I had to go and look at the Guurrbi website to learn more. It is now on my wish list of places to visit!

Jenn Jilks said...

How beautiful!

Vagabonde said...

Quel post intéressant! Je ne savais pas qu’ils y avaient des peintures sur rocher en Australie comme il y en a en France. Willie Gordon est vraiment un guide exceptionnel.

Anonymous said...

Very nice take on "G"

A Colorful World said...

This is a fascinating post, Wil! I would LOVE to take this tour and see these amazing pictographs. I know it meant a lot to you to get to do something so interesting while you were in Australia seeing your daughter.

Magical, award-winning Aboriginal rock art tours with Nugal-warra Elder, Willie Gordon said...

Wil - Wonderful to see all your lovely photos again, and to know you remember your time with us. We remember your visit well, and hope we'll see you again some time soon :) Stay well and happy. Willie & Judy.