Tuesday was our last morning at Swell and last day on Christmas Island. Narelle and Catherine were very active and went for a hike to the Dales again. I slept through their message so we didn’t go and instead lounged around until 12pm when we were collected.

Jess took us to check out the giant strangler fig near the Blowholes. About three people had asked if we’d seen it and commented how awesome it was. The fig has wrapped itself around another tree and eventually killed it, leaving a hollowed out tree many metres tall. It was impressive and now we have seen it.

We then went for lunch at Territory Day Park which overlooks the kampong and Flying Fish Cove. The view is spectacular. Birds soar past as well, including at least one golden bosun. The park is dotted with fruit trees such as mango, breadfruit, soursop, which would be great when they’re all in season. We ate our prepared lunch then got dropped at the airport for 2pm.

Mild panic at the airport as Narelle and Justin didn’t have approval to fly to Cocos Islands but Glen and I did. It all got sorted out and approved immediately though. Andrew arrived later and had to do the same, but with the added pressure of doing it just as the check in was about to close.

We boarded our 4pm flight to Cocos Islands and arrived some time around 5pm (Cocos time). We said goodbye to Catherine as she was going straight on to Perth, while the rest of us got our luggage and were met by the good people of Cocos Village Bungalows. Literally the place was down the street, the airport being very small and the town small too.

The accommodation is really nice. It’s comfortable and provides everything we need. The owners are also very friendly and welcoming.

Narelle has hired a car so we piled into the hilux dual cab and drop to the southern point of West Island before sunset. We went out to the beach and into the very shallow water where black-tipped reef sharks swam in abundance. They were so cool! But incredibly skittish and not at all interested in use. The same could be said for the two sea turtles!! There were also plenty of ghost crabs out on the beach too.

From the tropical humidity and mountainous forest of Christmas Island, the laidback charm and ease of water access of Cocos Islands was a welcome dichotomy.

We went for dinner at a buffet restaurant (the only place still serving food at 7:30pm) then had a few drinks on the porch before turning in. 

Unfortunately it’s about this time that I realized my phone was stuck in a reboot loop and nothing could get it to work. Despite everything I’ve tried. It’s still not cooperating. Luckily all the photos from Christmas Island managed to upload to the cloud so I still have them. Otherwise the phone is useless and needs to be repaired.