The World ARC fleet enjoyed a beach side BBQ this afternoon to complete a wonderful weekend in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The gathering took place ashore on Direction Island overlooking the charming anchorage where the World ARC boats are moored. But during Saturday the crews went to the main settlement on West Island, on a specially organised ferry, to take a tour of the island, do provisioning, visit the supermarket, get connected on the internet and end up watching the Australian Football League Grand Final with the locals in the sports and social club. During the tour of the island the crews saw how fuel was brought onto the island as well as the islands only example of agriculture or aquaculture – the Cocos clam farm. The groups also stopped at the Big Barge which was the original ferry that traversed the lagoon and has now been restored to house a small art gallery. Many of the exhibits include ideas and washed-up treasures found within the Cocos lagoon. 
Having driven through the settlement, the groups also visited the settlement, which sits alongside the island's runway. The fairways of the Island’s golf club are weaved in around the tarmac making a very unusual set up indeed! The south of the island is where the Scout Park beach and BBQ area are and further around is the island yacht club, kite and wind surfing beaches. The whole island is stunning but has been thoughtfully maintained and carefully developed so as not to spoil it. During the BBQ on Direction Island, prizes were awarded for positions in the last leg of the Rally. Working on a Dream took first place in their class and overall and Spirit of Alcides took first place in Group B. Anastasia took first place in the multihulls and Ruby, Working on a Dream and Peat Smoke won the fun prizes which included the closest guess of how many apples the fleet would pre-order from the Cocos (Keeling) supermarket. The fleet will complete their clearance tomorrow and attend the skippers briefing before departing at 1000 on Tuesday 02 October. |