Pearling

In the morning, we visited Pearl Luggers, where a restored boat, the Sam Male, has pride of place. There is a lot of information about the history of the pearling industry. The huge copper helmets and heavy boots weighing 20 kilos each were on display. This diving equipment was standard till the early 1970's.

I also visited the Kailis Pearl Shop, admired everything, and talked to the manager about the Kailis family. It was Dr Patricia Kailis, a scientist, who had married into the family and saved the pearl industry from a disease which threatened the oysters growing in close proximity in the pearl beds.