Denmark trips 2009
We had 3 trips based at Denmark this year. The first one, an Albany to Denmark, in mid October, comprised mostly people from the east coast. And they were treated to some very unusual Denmark weather. It was hot! I had 3 swims that week,one of which was at Mutton Bird Island beach, something I have never done before! The “easterners” were of cousre very impressed by the wildflowers and I do believe, some of the local wine! And hats off to Patrick, Liz, Brendan and Kaye who joined us for the weekly dance class!
The second Albany to Denmark trip was huge- 16 walkers. Included were the girls referred to as “the farmers”, though I’ve never known farmers to be so addicted to coffee shops! However, their 6am yoga sessions were very impressive, so the coffee must do something! And what about the headstand on the coast? Also on this coast was Patrick’s friend Kate, who was enjoying her first ever trip to Australia from Austria. We had a lovely mix of “newies and “oldies” on this trip and Bob managed to keep them all in line. This week we walked into Mutton Bird Island road, totally drenched- was this really the same location where the week before I’d cooled off in the ocean?
The final trip was Walpole to Denmark. Gisela guided this one and again we had a mix of old and new. Erin, the farmer, brought along a collection of her friends. We were a little concerned to discover that one was a ‘celestial transportation expert”- was he touting for business?? The mix of the Tingle Forest with the coast makes this a great walk, but the culmination is always the last day- the hike over Mt Halliwell. The group had a perfect day for this, and the views were spectacular. Almost as impressive as Rod, who did the entire walk with a broken collarbone and never missed a beat, nor tripped once! (Disclaimer: he arrived with the bone already broken!).
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Thanks to everyone who made the 2009 season a great success, especially my team of Alf, Di, Gisela, Bob and Steve.
Christmas Island 2009
What a week! This was my first trip to the island and I’m hooked. It’s a tropical island that looms up out of the Indian Ocean. Most of its coastline is inaccessible due to the limestone cliffs. 63% of the island is National Park, with lush rainforest comprised of huge trees, strangler figs, ferns and a very colourful leaf litter. The birds can’t help but grab your attention- frigate birds and tropic birds circle overhead, while boobies roost in trees and greet you on rocks on the foreshore. Then of course there is the amazing collection of crabs- they really do crawl everywhere. Theirs is a fascinating story, their annual migration to the sea to mate followed by the spawning when the moon is right!
It’s hot and humid, but you start early and enjoy a lunchtime siesta. To cool off, there is the underwater world where the snorkelling is unbelievable. We met many divers who rated it the best they had seen in the world! It is so accessible-you can just slide off the beach into the water and there it is- in knee deep water you can see the most incredible array of fish. We went back time and time again to Flying Fish Cove.
The cultural mix of Malay, Chinese and Europeans makes for an interesting collection of sights- with temples, graveyards and a mosque reflecting the various backgrounds. All this is set against the backdrop of the phosphate mining and now of course the refugee centre. The island is very much under pressure from the sudden explosion of population and the cafes are flat out trying to service everyone.
We did several walks to the coast through rainforest. One such walk took us to Winifred Beach, where the rock platforms and ocean swell prevented us from actually reaching the beach. So we made do with a dip in a rock pool. Another rock pool awaited us at the coconut palm fringed Dolly Beach. However, the grotto made for the most interesting swim, with the breath of the dragon booming from the limestone walls. Yet another walk gave us a shower under a jungle stream. Caves are a feature of the island, as are the limestone blowholes, which seem to blow reliably! One walk took us , after a challenging scramble, to the entrance of a large cave, first discovered from its ocean entrance.
A boat excursion gave us a good view of the limestone terracing of the island, and also provided another snorkelling opportunity. The skipper, Shane, provided us with a colourful insight into life on the island!
Out accommodation was excellent, the food very good and the company superb! Out final night concluded with the customary “examination” which provided much hilarity. We enjoyed the company of Dr Rex, who joined us often and gave us more island stories.
This is definitely going to be repeated in 2010, this time with the addition of the Cocos Islands! Put it on your agenda!
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