Djaul Island

Ready to depart for Djaul, which is just
visible on the horizon. (H.Schulz)

Our two weeks on Djaul Island were two weeks in a picture perfect corner of paradise! I’m not saying that everyone’s life on Djaul is perfect, as they have the same troubles as people anywhere, but that it is the sort of stunningly beautiful place that postcards and calendars are made of… the picture of paradise. My photos do not do it justice.

It was about a 50 minute dinghy ride from the mainland to Djaul. We travelled on a day with light winds and seas around half a metre, so it was a comfortable ride. The water was so clear that we could see the coral reefs beneath us that had to be navigated close to shore and could even see the fish in the water.

The coral is what eventually becomes the sand, so the beaches were bright white. When we had time to go snorkelling on Saturday, we got close and personal with the multitude of beautiful fish and the range of coral growth.

The beach on Djaul Island. It is whiter
when in direct sunlight. (I.Glissmann)

We also taste tested a range of the marine creatures, as we were served crab and (sadly) turtle as well as fish, fish and more fish during our time on Djaul. This was accompanied by sago, taro, rice, bananas and greens. Our daily intake of a kulau (green coconut) or two kept us from dehydrating in the humidity. The people provided so much food for us that we were joking that we’d have to increase our kg booking for the plane going home!

The daily feasting was just one part of the warm welcome we were given.

Catch of the day (I.Glissmann)

The day after we arrived we went to a big combined church service in a neighbouring village, riding there in our VIP transport, the ambulance. The songs, the handshakes, the flowers, the food… all of it made clear that we were very much welcome.

The church was packed, so the kids were all sitting on the floor at the front, with a supervisor to keep them in line. The supervisor had a big stick, not for hitting kids, but for poking them gently when they needed keeping in line, and to wake up the one kid who fell asleep during the extended prayer time. As we were sitting in the front row, we were closely watched by the children through the whole service, and nearly deafened by their strong and passionate singing.

Orchids. 

Our host parents while we were on Djaul were the Reverend and his wife. In the United Church system, this is a role of great responsibility and respect. Reverend James was responsible for the whole of the Djaul circuit, including the Pastors and Deacons also serving there. With him as our ‘waspapa’ (host father), we were being placed in a position of respect.

Djaul is a beautiful place, there is no doubt about that, but even more beautiful was the welcome that we were given.