Finally, 5 minutes to log on...

I thought the schedule for the induction to the program was relatively full, on paper it looked fine.  It's been a very full on week so far.  Vit and Rose, the two people who run the program up here, have a more than full time job keeping us all where we need to be, on time (ish).

Monday was all about getting 25 people off planes, suitcases, accommodation.  Oh, and a few hours of briefing on the program, going over the schedule and the camping section.

Tuesday started at 6am for brekkie then the 7am briefing started.  This is where we learnt how to drive properly, and where Vit and the instructor Peter made sure we are all suitably aware of the dangers of driving in the Cape.
Big tick on that one! 

A briefing session at Cape York Partnerships, then we spent 6 hours plus learning the techniques that may prevent an accident on the miles of dirt roads up north - do you want to know the stats on accidents up here (no so fun)?  So, am definitely a more defensive driver today than I might have been last week.  And, I really, REALLY know how to put on brakes in a four wheel drive in an emergency situation.   Still waiting for my adrenalin levels to get back to normal :-)

Yesterday, a more civilised start to the day - briefing started at 8am.  A really great insight into Balkanu (the organisation I'll be working for in Aurukun) and some more good information about what it's like and what we can do out there. 

We (Daniel and I) turned grocery shopping into an Olympic marathon event - think it went to about 2 hours to get ourselves stocked up, boxed and ready for 4 weeks remote.  There are a LOT of boxes of food.  The team then threw the mounds of gear we need for around 30 people to sleep under the stars, in the back of 6 big old 4WDs and will hit the road to Cape Tribulation this arvo.  Staying in a backpackers dorm.  Luxury!

For the other folks in the Program - the rest of the group are excellent - all from a diverse range of backgrounds.  The projects others have to work on are really interesting, it'll be great when we get back and do the debrief to hear how they all go. 

Alas, time to pack up and move out.  Early briefing today again.

Met some really great local people in Cairns so far, many we'll met up at the Cape at different points when we get there. 

From Cairns, over and out for now.

Susan