Sam's Island

It was a public holiday on Amy's birthday so a few families decided to take the short boat ride from Dampier to 'Sam's Island' for a BBQ. This is us bringing supplies from the boat to the picnic area. (Clinton took most of the photos - thanks Clint). 

 Emi is so kind to all the little people including Alissa

 Here is a bit of the history of Sam's Island from the Karratha Visitor Centre Website:

"After surviving the horrors of World War II in Yugoslavia, Sam Ostojich arrived in Australia in 1960 and settled in the Pilbara in 1965, where he worked on the first causeway of the Karratha to Dampier Road. Sam’s first visit to Tidepole Island was aboard a raft lashed together with 44 gallon drums.

The story goes that a fierce storm blew up and Sam was stranded there for several days. This was the beginning of Sam’s love affair with the island that went down in Dampier’s history. Living and working on his island whenever time allowed, he began constructing a castle in 1966  –  laboriously building layer after layer of rock walls and carting soil, timber and provisions from the mainland.

His work continued even after breaking his back in an industrial accident in the early 1970s. Hamersley Iron (now Pilbara Iron / Rio Tinto) gave Sam a 99 year gentleman’s lease and connected the island to the mainland water supply, enabling him to live contently on the island with his cat companion, Tiger. In February 2005, Sam passed away and was buried on his island. Tiger died shortly after and is buried at Sam’s feet."

 Harry and Michael checking out Sam's house

 Amy took these photos of the inside of Sam's house...it's all exactly as he left it (a bit creepy really). 

Cute little Tom

 The adults hanging out while the kids explored...I'm probably laughing at a funny comment from Georgia!

 The kids playing an impromptu game of tug o' war with a vine

 Alissa collecting rocks in a fishing net

 All the kids got filthy playing in the red dirt - especially the babies who were crawling around in it

 Emi made Amy's 'pigs in mud' birthday cake - it was very cool 

 The birthday girl 

 Indy a few shades darker!

 The kids lining up for a slice

 We sat on the shore watching the children swimming in the ocean then made our way home on the boats...it was a lovely way to spend a public holiday!