Yes, that classic view from the 50's motel suite but the local
beach was poor for swimming if that is any consolation. |
More coconut palms! Yes, it used to be a series of plantation islands
around a 7 km. wide lagoon. |
These signs not only greeted you at the airport but also at other
key locations.
|
This is the 'Great White House" or 'Oceania House'. The Clunies-Rosses
started building it in the late 1890s. It looks kinda modern due
to the use of white ceramic glazed bricks imported from Scotland.
Also, some 70s modifications don't help.
|
I think I should have just worn my swim suit as the humidity
was over 80 and up to 100%. The house had not been lived in for
at least 8 years and was in a poor state of repair, rot and termite
damage. The local malay population are quite strict Muslims so
proper dress was more appropriate.
|
Roz from the Local Museum programs was doing the documenting and
measuring while I photographed. She is seen here in the entrance
foyer which origianally also housed the bust of all the colony's
famous family men.
|
Sorry it is hard to see but I am holding the winning hermit crab,
its trophy and my winning ticket from the grand final race of the
Cocos Olympics Hermit Crab Race of 2001. An event that has been
going for 10 years and really was a hoot. |
We did get to snorkel one day along this channel next to Direction
Is. The rip current was running fairly fast, so it was a wonderful,
but fast, view of all the corals and fishes. Yes, the deep water really
is that 'ultra deep blue', again sorry. |
|
We had lunch at a local restaurant in someone's house as it was
Ramadan. They really seem to go in for these decorative pieces,
this one being reconstructed with plenty of sticky tape (sparlkly
bits). |
|
All photographs are the copyright of Douglas Elford; unauthorized use is blatant theft. |
