Paradise

Our passage from Bali was in a beam on swell, rolling the boat but in plenty of wind so much speed the whole way. This would always be my preference over smooth but slower. Our route to the Cocos Islands took us directly through Christmas Island along the way, both of these places are Australian principality so just calling in to Christmas Island for a look around wasn't really an option with having to clear in and then out with customs and immigration although I've heard through other sources that the locals are best described as 'local'. A couple of days further on and an atoll appears over the horizon, always with palm trees as the first sight, we are at the Cocos Islands! It was apparent immediately that this was a special place and our first encounter being the most curious, laid back and show off dolphins we have seen on this voyage so far, with a lot of underwater and above surface displays from them. The main anchorage for yachts is at the north eastern tip behind Direction Island because the rest of the huge lagoon is uncharted and shallow in most places. Upon anchoring we were greeted by more of the local wildlife in the form of a curious turtle and lots of black tip sharks.

Being one of the first boats into the anchorage was definitely a bonus as we got to see it in all of its glory. 

There is a bit of history to go with the islands including the falling out of the founding Australian business partners, one of whom was banished to the duly called Prison Island for 3 months until leaving on a ship. This was a small but great place in itself and a few of us had sundowners there

One of the highlights of a stay was a ferry laid on by Oyster World Rally organisers, Debbie and Eddie, which took us to the International Champagne Festival on West Island. This is the largest island of the group but still with only a few hundred residence and all very friendly. The evening was in the local pub which conveniently for the locals is also the shelter in an event of a cyclone.

October 19 also brought with it Bryony's birthday. Especially after my birthday ten days earlier I know how important it is to have everyone around and have a good time, so with the help of the girls on Lush, Audrey hooked me up with a delicious cake and Lucy did some Cocos themed artwork on one of my crew t shirts which I then got signed by a few people with birthday wishes. The previous evening I had had a fair bit of champagne so the morning of the 19th was less than subtle as I was blowing up balloons with the occasional one bursting in my face. All in all a great success and thanks to everyone involved. Next stop Mauritius