triplog

My sister Eva is in Perth at the moment for work, and her fiancé Daniel just flew in tonight to spend the weekend. So we’re off down south to Margies at the crack of dawn - coincidentally, tomorrow night is Spence’s birthday bash at the Block. Should be a huge weekend.

On Sunday I went out with Jo and Jane while they worked, we managed to borrow Ernie’s boat (the good ship ‘Tuckerchute’) and I got to see a bit more of the islands, including Home Island (where the Malay population lives), Direction Island (a natural harbour and shelter for visiting yachts), Prison Island and the lagoon and surrounding reefs. Absolutely magical.

The photos above were taken at the shack on Direction Island, which is used by visiting yachties - the whole shack is festooned with decorations and mementos left behind by them.

We snorkeled at a spot known as ‘The Rip’, which is just amazing. It’s a channel between Direction Island and Prison Island, and has an amazing variety of sea life - we saw everyhing from a big barracuda to reef sharks to little colourful schools of fish.

Last but not least, here’s a closeup of a hermit crab trying to attack my hand…

I just realised this blog’s just passed the 1 year mark. Happy birthday blog

One thing I wouldn’t mind knowing is: who’s reading this? I know a few of you (hi Mum!) but I’d love to know who else is interested… the site stats turn up some interesting locations, I’d love to know who’s out there and where you are, so leave a comment below, letting me know who you are and where you’re reading this from. Go on, it’ll only take a second.

Jane’s been diving almost everyday, here’s a shot of a manta ray (one of two that hung around feeding). She’s also got some video of this, I’ll try and get it up here.

Update: Here’s the video…(it’s a Quicktime .mov file)

… there were a few manta rays hanging around, right at the end you can see there’s 2 of them drifting away. I love how they move, so supremely graceful.

Oh my god - we’re in the Cocos Islands until next Monday. This place is absolutely incredible…

We flew in yesterday afternoon (the time difference here is 2.5 hours behind Perth, so 4.5 behind Sydney). We’re staying on West Island, which is the administrative hub of the Cocos and the home of the ex-pat community. Imagine a tropical paradise, and chances are you’re picturing this place - palm trees, coconuts, reef on the outside and lagoon in the middle, crystal clear warm water, surf, amazing diving and snorkeling. Oh, and it’s hot and humid. Perfect.

So far we’ve managed to go snorkeling - heaps of incredible fish, and we even saw a small reef shark go cruising past (apparently there’s some big tigers around here, hoping not to see one of those)… and Jane’s new camera works a treat in the water (thanks Justin!).

This arvo we got a (long, long) surf in at the main break here - not much size today, but heaps of fun - it’s a walling left reefie that sweeps down a subtle point/bend in the island. And so warm.

Anyways, our phones are both devoid of a connection, but I should be able to get email. Here’s last night’s sunset as seen from the surf shack: