Spawning Take 2

I had set the alarm for 0240. I had messages from Andrea and Diane cancelling due to rain. I looked outside and saw that the ground was wet but the rain had died to a drizzle. I decided to press on and drive to Ethel Beach.

I parked and realised that it was pitch black. I could have used my phone for illumination but others arrived and I went down with them. It was a short walk followed by some steps to the beach where a much denser presence of crabs (compared to yesterday at the Cove) had gathered for their spawning.

In some ways, once you’ve seen it once, it was enough. But this was a more spectacular display and it was good to not be under pressure to take photos. I did take some photos and also some videos but largely took the time to enjoy the spectacle.

Again I left around 0430 when the sky showed a hint of light. I managed to sleep from 0600 till 0830 and continued to have a lazy morning.

Text continues after this gallery.

After once again trying to consume my canned food, Andrea and I went driving. Our only real option in view of the road closures was Ethel and Lily Beaches. But the last stretch of the road was now closed. As we had no better options, we walked about 45 mins down to Lily Beach.

There was kind of a small natural pool but with the pounding surf further out, it wasn’t actually calm during our little swim. There was a very nicely constructed plankwalk to a viewpoint which overlooked the sea and the Christmas Island Resort (aka Casino) in the distance. It looked in good shape despite being mothballed but locals tell me it is now ruined.

It was starting to drizzle. We waited for it to past. It didn’t so we started walking. The torrential downpour arrived soaking us. The crabs on the road didn’t seem to mind (I was told the migration halts when it rains?).

Andrea had some errands in town so I waited in the car to avoid getting wetter. I had the last of my food to finish off in the night but offered to drive her to dinner. She bought me a wine and we chatted at length and we seem to have a common interest in faraway small islands (eg. Sangalaki, Maratua, Kakaban, Christmas, Marquesas, Saipan etc).