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!

For more photos click here