I can honestly say that this has been the best (nearly) 5 weeks in recent years. Much has been achieved in terms of work but I've also had time to relax and enjoy some of the millions of things which make this such an amazing world.
I've heard that Sir David Attenborough has listed the Red Crab Migration on Christmas Island in his TopTen and I can happily go along with that. Not that I'm familiar with the other nine, but the crabs have got my vote. The spectacular part of the migration when the male crabs up in the forests respond to the moon/tides/rainfall and head to the coast was over but the girls were on their way to join them. There's some super conservation work going on but the problems are huge. I heard that about 30% of the Red Crab population has been wiped out by the yellow crazy ant (I think that's what it's called). They're now talking about introducing the wasp which predates on the ants. Now these are scientists making these decisions but I have to say that, in my ignorance, I am fearful of even more introduction of alien species as we just don't know what side effects there will be in the long term.
The phosphate mining continues on the island but no new sites are being developed with just B & C-grade phosphate being taken from existing sites. Reforestation is happening slowly but the scars caused by the mines are still very much in evidence. But what a fantastic island. Walking through the forest was a bit "middle-earthish" and snorkling over the coral introduced a whole new world which could so easily in itself become cause for fascination. Throughout this trip I've been overwhelmed by the sheer scale, not only of the continent of Australia, but of the whole universe. While on Cocos the moon made a "smiley face" with (I think) Jupiter and Venus - it was amazing and apparently doesn't happen very often. I've looked at the stars above and the life below the seas, at birds in the air and ants doing their thing on the ground. I've heard experts expounding and ordinary people marvelling. And the wine's been pretty good as well!
Now it's time to go home and I'm in Perth airport waiting for the first of three flights - this one is just 4 1/2 hours or so to Singapore. Then it's on to London and finally to Edinburgh and home. I know that the amount of stuff on my desk will be horrendous and much has to be done before the next trip which sees me leaving for Ascension Island, St Helena and South Africa on 7 January. But these five weeks, in spite of the damaged foot (which is healing pretty well), has been rejuvenating and exciting, restful and relaxing and I've met some fantastic people. Australia is a pretty neat country - and they really DO say "no worries" all the time!
Don't expect too many blogs over the next wee while - it's going to be a challenge just to get through everything that needs to be done. Christmas Shopping? What's that?
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