Matt Down Under
Ruby developer, founder of choc media, bushwalker, MacGyver fan and hobby photographer, German citizen and Australian Permanent Resident.
In 2008 I moved from Germany to Australia, the best decision of my life. On this blog you can find stories and photos about hiking in Tasmania and on the mainland, travelling, and life in Australia — my journey from Working Holiday to Permanent Residency.
Search
Pages
From my Twitter feed
Loading Tweet...
Find me on...
Tag Results
7 posts tagged Numbulwar
Life in Numbulwar
When I came to Numbulwar, I was hoping to get a better understanding of Aboriginal culture and lifestyle, and of the conditions of living for Aboriginal people in remote communities in Australia. Now, two months later, I still find it difficult to come to a conclusion — there were so many impressions, and so many different aspects and opinions that I have seen and heard. No doubt that Aborigines are heavily disadvantaged in Australia, but on the other hand I found it fascinating that I never heard anybody complaining.
Here is a list of things that I found remarkable over the last two months, to give an impression on what it’s like to live in Numbulwar.
Read more
I posted a new photo album about my time in the Aboriginal community of Numbulwar.
Back in Darwin
Two weeks earlier than expected I am back in Darwin. It’s hard to adjust to city life again after two months in a remote Aboriginal community.
Read more
Today I bought a canvas painting from an Aboriginal artist here in my community. I didn’t know he lives just behind my house. There seem to be a few artists in Numbulwar and it is difficult for them to sell their work. So whenever there is a new face in town (like me) their relatives will offer them stuff for sale. Every couple of days they are knocking at my door and offer me original paintings, handmade neck-laces made from shells, or even handmade baskets in impressive quality. Usually I try not to buy since I’m a backpacker with limited space, but today I was offered this really great painting and couldn’t resist.
I have never been much of a fan of fresh sea food until I got into recreational fishing a few weeks ago. I guess I simply dislike killing and cooking things that have eyes.
One of the specialties in Numbulwar is mud crabs. There is no real market for it, when you want one you just ask someone who has a boat — they usually have some crab traps placed out in the river somewhere and every couple of days they go and check them.
A few weeks ago I was given one and fortunately at that time I was hosting some plumbers in my house who were also experienced fisher men and they showed me how to prepare, cook and eat a mud crab the right way. Interesting experience but I think I prefer fish.
Going fishing
Monday I met Allan who works at the town council in Numbulwar. I was hoping he could give me some information or maps about the places and areas in town I’m allowed to go and which ones are safe in regards to crocs or buffalos. Somehow we came across fishing and he invited me to join him or his mates on his boat, so today I joined Frank and Graham and we took Allan’s boat for a ride up the mangrove river to catch barramundi.
Read more
Welcome to Numbulwar, Arnhem Land
Since last Thursday, I have been staying and working in one of the most remote and most exclusive places you could possibly be in Australia: in Numbulwar, a small Aboriginal community on the Gulf of Carpentaria at the East coast of Arnhem Land.
