Paradise at Cocos
25 June 2008 | Direction Island
Thursday 26th June 2008
Direction Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Position: 12 05.45S 96 52.91E
As we entered the lagoon (on Tuesday 24th) the water went from deep blue to bright turquoise. We anchored near a yellow buoy and waited for the immigration people to come. There were 3 other yachts anchored in the bay plus two abandoned yachts without masts. We drank a bottle of cold champagne and soaked in the surroundings. A couple of friendly sharks came to say hello - little ones playing with each other like puppies. To match the champagne we got stuck into our stocks of smoked salmon and camembert. After a couple of hours the Australian Federal police arrived. Two friendly young men came aboard and gave us a list of rules and regulations and ferry timetables etc. They stamped our passports and left within half an hour. The one who did the stamping and talking (the other one looked around the boat to make sure there were no refugees and contraband) looked younger than Liam. He said he has been here for 6 months and comes from Canberra. We of course talked about us living in Canberra and getting married there as a common topic. We are now back in Australia and can remain here in paradise indefinitely. Perhaps we will stay here until we get the pension!
Two of the other yachts have been here for 6 months. They are both from Darwin. The Catarmaran Sortilege is on it 8th visit. It seems they stay here for months at a time. They have even created their own bbq area at Nudey beach with a pathway lined with coral and shells, hammock, table, chairs, candles, bbq, homemade broom, pet hermit crabs etc. The view looks over the bay, the yachts and Home island beyond.
So far we have done nothing much. We've tidied the boat, made the bed, launched the wooden dinghy with the new little outboard. Linda had a driving lesson and had to know the difference between the pictures of the tortoise and hare on the throttle control knob. We've been ashore twice . We have inspected the shelter shed with all the yacht plaques in it, the toilet facilities, the main picnic area with the more comfortable hammock etc. This place is as different as it could possibly be to Singapore.
Yesterday we were woken from our afternoon nap by the sounds of gunshots. On our way to investigate we popped over to say hello to Sortilege. (the ones who have been here 8 times). Bea and Diane said apparently the chooks on this island are feral and not welcome so have to be eradicated. Bea said he caught a few roosters with snares but they were very tough and basically inedible. Anyway the Australian Federal police came to do some shooting practice. There are still plenty of chooks left so its lucky we are not being invaded by real baddies. There seems to be lots of motherless chicks cheeping and a dozen squabbling roosters. The remaining hens don't want anything to do with the orphans. This little chook community is quite upset and so is Linda. Bill refuses to let her adopt a chicken so has compromised and let her have hermit crabs instead. The hermit crabs have been busy climbing all over Valiam. Of the 3 only one is left on board. The others have jumped ship. Linda will take her remaining pet back ashore this morning so it doesn't starve. Bill tried to feed it a cockroach but it wasn't interested.
As you can see you can see we have begun to get into island life. This morning we will get to experience the shops. We have been warned there isn't much as the supply ship hasn't been for a while. The yachties have told us about house 36 that sells filleted fish by the kilo. We have to go down the side entrance as going to the front door is considered rude. Home island is where the local Malays live. They are Muslim so we have to wear more clothes than we are used to when we go over. (cover shoulders and thighs)
Linda has been feeling poorly - probably withdrawal symptoms from the foreign sea sick pill concoctions she has been taking for the last 10 days. This blog has been dictated to Linda by Bill as Linda's brain isn't working very well. Hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to read the bit about the chooks to the kids! There is a public phone at the yachtie shelter shed so we will investigate a phone card so we can use it to phone our nearest and dearest!
If any of you feel like visiting us we'll be here for a while. You have to fly to Perth first to get here. Don't forget to look at the Photo Gallery on this website under both 'Cocos islands' and 'Singapore to Cocos'.
Bill and Linda
SV Valiam
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