Cocos (Keeling) Island

Internet access over the past couple of weeks has been very limited - hence the silence.  There's masses to report but I'll have to skip over most of it as I need to go to check in for my flight to Christmas Island any minute.

 

You left me promising to write a bit about Bruny Island but the internet connection went down and the best intentions went with it.    Bruny was wonderful - completely undeveloped in terms of tourism with super wildlife and birding and people.   The eco boat trip was special - as well as lots of wonderful birds (including Shy Albatross) we saw hundreds of Fur Seals and a Hump Back whale as well.  But boy was it cold.  About 10 degrees before taking in to account wind chill of which there was lots.  But the people on the boat were ready for it and had "beanies" (woolly hats to you and me) and protective clothing available, along with ginger pills to counter sea sickness and chocky bix for the feel good factor.   In spite of the injured foot I managed to see half of the Tasmanian endemic birds which was excellent.

Since then I've spent some very precious family time with three of my dozen or so first cousins which has been wonderful.   That was in Melbourne (and a farm at Seymour, about 2 hours away from the city) and Perth.   I'm now on Cocos (Keeling) Island in the Indian Ocean where I've spent a super 4 days enjoying the birds, the people and the islands - plus a motorised canoe safari with champagne breakfast which was wonderful.  The island has huge Shetland connections which has been fun for me.

Now it's time to move on to Christmas Island where the Red Crab migration is, I'm told, in its last stages.  They came out really early this year - as always with nature, there's no way you can guarantee the timing.    I really think this will make a splendidly different tour and look forward to putting it together over the next few weeks

Better go - don't want to miss the flight as they don't happen very often in this intensely remote and wonderful part of the world!

Comments

[hampers]

Wow! the name of the island itself already construed happiness beyond expectation. Love crabs too...I wonder if these crabs be placed in fabulous food hampers...lol.
http://www.bradfordsbakers.com