Indonesia was still having earthquakes and aftershocks so we weren't too sad to be leaving, especially since our next destination was Cocos (Keeling) Island which is part of Australia. Or otherwise known as Paradise! Then again the next three legs of our journey were going to be in the Indian Ocean which can be rather “boisterous”. That said we were now on a boat with 5 total crew so watches would be shorter and easier. Funny how after cruising for a while an 1100+ mile passage seems like No Big Deal. And it really wasn't. Made it to Cocos in a little over 6 days with a couple of 200+ mile days underway.
Australia doesn't stamp passports anymore but I talked them into stamping ours! Because how many people clear in to Cocos?
Cocos was everything we had heard. Stunningly beautiful beaches and clear water. We anchored just off of Direction island which has a beach listed as Australia's best beach. Home Island has about 500 residents and is mostly Muslim so no alcohol but there is a ferry to West Island. There is where the airport and several small resorts and bungalows are, as well as about 100 full time residents. My crew mate Glenn even got a round of 9 hole golf in on the course that CROSSES the airport runway!
Glenn standing by the tee box for the first hole. The second and ninth fairways CROSSED the runway .
Running between Direction and Home islands was a body of water known as The Rip. Basically a fast moving current that flowed past a reef with lots of fish. Big fish, little fish, red fish, blue fish.... okay you get the idea.
Um, sure we want to do this?
One of the quirky things about cruising is that in some places it is customary to leave a sign or other momento of your visit. Here are some from past visitors to Direction island and here is the one we left.
We had a few parties/cookout on the beach with the other Oysters and enjoyed perfect sunsets and beach time.
One of the tiny clumps of sand and trees was called Prison Island. Of course Glenn and I had to pay a visit.
You can probably tell from our attire that it's very windy and thus the dinghy ride was quite wet.
Leaving Cocos we had the longest passage of our trip ahead of us; 2350 miles to the island of Mauritius. A few days out the boat RED CAT had a malfunction with their furling main so we decided to buddy boat with them JUST in CASE... Which turned out to be a good thing as they loaned us some fuel filters with a mid-sea transfer. Seems when we took on fuel in Gilli Gede we got the last delivery and the dregs in the bottom of the tank with water and grit mixed in.
RED CAT under Genoa only. They still were as fast as us.
Mauritius is home to some very beautiful and endangered species. We went to Ile aux Aigrettes, now a wildlife preserve and saw huge Aldara tortoises, pink pigeons and lots of other critters.
Other sights around the island.
Leaving Mauritius we only had to sail 136 miles to the island of Reunion, ONLY but 20 hours of the roughest passage we've had the past 6 months. Reunion is an "Overseas Department" of France. Meaning 1st world everything AND great food.
I have become hooked on the croissant du chocolat aux amandes!
ELISE, a sister boat to our ride on TRUE BLUE and homeported near us in Deltaville, VA!
RED CAT, our sailing buddies.
Lineup of 11 Oysters as we arrived in Reunion.
So we've traveled around the island a bit and tried to see the volcano (fogged in) and enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Le Roland Garros restaurant. Confit de canard pour moi! Was very tasty. And actually quite reasonably priced.
Because everyone takes their rooster to the bakery in a backpack.
Cascades everywhere. Too many to count sometimes.
Carol modeling the latest in Palm tree bark clothing.
Check out the size of the bamboo behind us!
Yeah, we're not going to see much up here.
Standing on the edge of a very high cliff.
Several places this is how you had to go up the trail.
Just a taste of the scenery.
So now we are waiting to see what the weather is going to do. We have a 1400+ mile passage to Durban ahead of us and it is not an easy trip. Plans to leave in 2 days on Fri are on hold. Looks like Monday or Tuesday now. Oh gee, you mean I have to stay on a tropical FRENCH island? Quel dommage!
