To see Wikipedia on Christmas Island, Australia: CLICK HERE To see the Wikipedia on Cocos Island, Australia: CLICK HERE
A last relaxation before our 10 day sail to Chagos Archipelago.
World ARC group arriving at Direction Island.
Memorial of the Australian Navy’s battle with the Germans in WWI (yes World War ONE).
Memorial of the Australian Navy’s battle with the Germans in WWI (yes World War ONE).
Scott on a small island
Nikki and I took the dinghy over to one of the very small but beautiful islands inside the lagoon.
Small atoll trip
Beach House – Direction Island, Cocos-Keeling Islands.
Two British soldiers were lost in an air attack in 1944 were memorialized. This was a backwater of the war to say the least…..But, definitely part of the story.
Guns of Cocos Island – WW2
Not so much…..:-)
John Westenholme of s/v “Mr. John VI” told me they were very aggressive when he was here many years ago.
Harmless Black Tip reef sharks looking for a handout.
Washington State based s/v “Saviah” departing for Mauritius. They have since completed their circumnavigation.
World ARC (Round the world rally) vessels arrived three days after we did.
Cruisers anchorage at Direction Island.
Direction Island visitors tree.
Customs check in…. easy, quick and nice.
Nikki at the helm of our “car”…
Small island in the atoll of Cocos Keeling Island.
Ross Clunes sold me a windvane in 1976. He was a grandson I believe of the first permanent original settler of this island.
Main pier at Home Island
Nice shore boat…. From the anchorage where all the cruising boats are, this very high tech vessel picks us up and takes us to the two inhabited atolls at Cocos Island.
Boats used by asylum seekers waiting to be burned by Australian Customs.
The immigration/asylum seekers come here as well.
Another 600+ mile sail found us in the paradisical atoll of Cocos Keeling.
Asylum seekers. 97% of these boat people are eventually given asylum. The classic person is a very wealthy Arab or Iranian who has flown first class to Indonesia to buy a boat. Once near Australia, they radio customs and seek asylum.
Though small by comparison to the USA, Australia has a problem with asylum seeking immigrants. Approximately 10,000 people illegally try to land on Australian soil every year.
Australian Navy….
These brave members of the British army, refused to surrender to the Japanese in WW2. They were killed and this memorial has been placed at their gun in memory.
Images of WW2
The claiming of this island by the British government in 1888.
Our Canadian friends on Ania and Beach House, Flying Fish Bay.
Scott at one of the dozens of blowholes.
Blow hole in the distance.
Nikki at a blow hole.
Geology of this islands volcanic origins lends itself to the creation of blow holes.
A unique license plate.
Believe it or not. More people die from falling coconuts than lightening strikes every year. By lots!
Australian Customs
Post Office – Christmas Island
Court House – Christmas Island
Pretty dusty, but goes on constantly.
I think (If I recall), they are loading gravel? I’ll update if wrong.
Landing pier in Flying Fish Bay at Christmas Island.
We had a fast ride to Christmas Island setting our one day record of 238 nautical miles. 9.97 knot average for the entire 3 day trip.
Fun, but the guys operating the boats are clueless. This reminded me of the mayhem that Cindy and I experienced in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
This is the typical tourist zoo of Bali. The local boats have little regard for anything. They don’t look where they’re going and it’s a matter of time before a serious accident happens.
The expensatanium hotels in the background, care must be taken in the very shallow area. Nikki got a bit confused and we had a minor, short term grounding as we left.
Our dock master wishes us well.
VERY typical scene of the waters of Indonesia. The dirtiest oceans I’ve ever seen.
Bruce and June of s/v “Ainia” (June behind Nikki and Bruce in the yellow shirt), would be sailing off to Christmas and Cocos in tandem with us.
This is our track from Bali to Christmas to Cocos to Chagos
Bali Marina – Benoa, Bali – Indonesia. Getting ready to leave.
