Initial explorations

I started the day going to the Tourist Information Centre to get an update on the spawning. While it was originally expected on the mornings of Sat 26th and maybe Fri 25th, they now thought it would be more Thu 24th and Fri 25th.

To explore the island I also needed a car. But the minimum was 2 days. It worked out that I could get it on Thu 24th and return it at the airport on Sat 26th, saving myself an airport transfer.

I explored Flying Fish Cove further along by the Kampong and the Jetty. It was largely rocky with a small sandy stretch. Yes, I can see for myself how things are a little glorified in the brochures. I toyed with the idea of swimming, snorkelling and diving but didn’t end up doing any of it after advice from others during the stay. Snorkelling and diving were expensive and for what you see, it wasn’t worth it (according to Andrea and Brian whom I met on the plane coming in).

I rented a bike in the afternoon and cycled along the road that was closed to cars. The closure started just after the hotel. The road took me past the Chinese and Muslim cemeteries and the grotto before I got to Ma Chor Nui Nui temple (whic was a non-event for me because of my origins). The road continue to the mothballed Christmas Island Resort (aka casino) but I wasn’t sure of the distance and didn’t want to press on.

On the return ride, I stopped at the grotto thinking I oould swim. It was a rope steep and slippery descent with a rope to assist with the ascent. There were some crabs around too. Being alone, I didn’t feel comfortable going down for a swim and called it a day.

Andrea and I had dinner at her regular Cafe 1888 which did an excellent pork roast with crackling and apple sauce for AUD18. We retired early in preparation for the early morning wake-up for the spawning.