Christmas Island (Google Earth -10.4276, 105.6688) June 21-29, 2008

Located in the Indian Ocean about 1500 miles west of Darwin, Christmas Island was part of Singapore until 1958. It is now part of Australia, and it sometimes referred to as “Australia’s Galapagos” – a tiny remote spot with species that are not found anywhere else on earth. Here are some of the land crabs found on the island known as the “Crabbiest Place on Earth.” Google "red crab migration Christmas Island" to find out more. Below is a photo of Rob looking at one of the underpasses for the red crab migration, installed to reduce road mortality.

Christmas Island

Christmas Island was our first exposure to a Muslim community. The mosque is located near the harbor, and we enjoyed hearing sonorous chants calling the faithful to prayer in early morning and evening, as well as several times during the day. A photo of the mosque is included. We had the privilege of attending some of the festivities of a Malay Muslim wedding taking place on Christmas Island. A young teacher in the school married one of the stevedores. These photos show the bride waiting for the groom; the groom and his entourage walking toward the bride’s home; the grooms representatives bargaining with the bride’s representatives to reach an agreement that would let the groom enter; and the bride and groom receiving martial art demonstrations from their guests.

Christmas Island

Here are photos of the rugged coast, Wilhelm anchored off the jetty, the local court house and some of the squash (called “pumpkin” in these parts of the world) that we gathered wild and ate for weeks afterwards

Christmas Island - beach cleanup

We participated in a beach clean up on one of the local beaches, where the prevailing winds and currents wash up enormous amounts of plastic debris. How discouraging to see mounds of plastic debris - flipflops, bottles, toothbrushes, straws, and other bits and pieces, as well as more than one hypodermic needle, washed in by the winds and currents from more populated areas that are hundreds of miles away. Let us all resolve to use less plastic in our lives!!!