After sailing some 620NM from
Lombok the World ARC fleet are currently moored in Flying Fish Cove at
Christmas Island for a brief 48 stopover before they continue westwards towards
Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
This
stopover is the first visit to the ‘Jewels of the Indian Ocean’ and the crew
have been enjoying their time ashore – going on jungle tours,
provisioning, walking in the township and also meeting the very friendly
locals; during the stopovers all crews celebrated the Alex 8th birthday, one of
the youngest participants, from the swedish boat Take Off.
Christmas Island is a small dot in the Indian Ocean but it is actually very conveniently located for sailors on an Indian Ocean crossing. Christmas Island sits right on the rhumb line and almost equidistant between Lombok and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
For 2 days World ARC participants explored this fascinating island through local tour operator Indian Ocean Experiences. Their tour guide, Lisa, also hosted a beach BBQ ashore on Thursday before the fleet continuing on their way to Cocos Keeling Islands.
The winds looks good for the trip and so all boats should make landfall in about 4 days.
The World ARC stop in Christmas Island would not be possible without the support of the Christmas Island Tourism Association, the Border Force and the Port Authorities.