Page 59 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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Christmas Island SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

vs the Great Barrier Reef

The rarely seen coral reefs that surround Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean are just as splendid as
those of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia – only they’re far more isolated and far less spoiled

effortlessly, rotates slightly to ponder on the moray eel, which frequently pokes its nose up from
NEED TO KNOW
ungainly nature of the intruder suspended before deep inside hard coral formations to view divers as
LOCATION Christmas */%0/&4*"
+BWB it, and then slides on by. A pod of spinner dolphins they pass by its lair.
Island is in the Indian
Ocean, 225 miles (360 km) $)3*45."4 %BSXJO follows in its wake, mother and babies playfully Rising up from the depths of the Indian Ocean,
south of Java *4-"/% enclosing you, running rings around you and hoping this rain forest-clad island is actually the tip of an
SCUBA DIVING for a new playmate. And in all this time there is no ancient volcano. Its tortuous limestone base has
Christmas Island boasts steep walls,
"6453"-*"
shallow reefs, and safe cave dives one else in sight other than your diving buddy and been shaped over millions of years by the waves
DAYTIME 1FSUI 4ZEOFZ a divemaster. It’s a far cry from the more famous, that lap the island and by rainwater that sinks into
TEMPERATURES "EFMBJEF but eternally crowded, Great Barrier Reef. the porous rock, creating a honeycomb effect
Jan: 77°F (25°C); Apr: 79°F (26°C); 4PVUIFSO $BOCFSSB
Jul: 75°F (24°C); Oct: 77°F (25°C) 0DFBO Christmas Island is actually best known not for beneath the surface. This rugged, potholed
its scuba diving, but for its extraordinary red-crab landscape continues into the ocean, where
migration – a spectacle that takes place every year countless underwater caves coax you back into
Your first descent into the crystal-clear blue water when millions of the scarlet creatures emerge from your diving gear and beneath the surface. You
surrounding Christmas Island will be nothing short the rain forest and walk en masse down to the sea enter the splendid Thundercliff Cave, on the shore
of breathtaking. Beneath the surface lies the most to spawn. At this time, the shallow water turns side of the immaculate fringing coral reef, at a
luxurious of hard coral reefs – a colorful, lush pink with eggs, but beyond that the sea remains depth of 53 ft (16 m) and through a series of pitch-
display that is almost ostentatious in its beauty. The aquamarine, completely pristine, and utterly black grottoes that are decorated with stalactites
view goes on forever, way down to the depths of deserted except for its wealth of marine residents. and stalagmites. A little farther on, you ascend to
the Indian Ocean. Brilliant rays of sunlight cast The island has more indigenous species than an extraordinary subterranean beach where you
stripes of turquoise through the sea and highlight anywhere else on the planet except the Galapagos can take off your dive gear and continue exploring
the flapping motion of a distant wing. Pause mid- Islands, and some of the marine creatures are on foot. It won’t be long before you see that you’re
water and wait for the manta ray as it approaches unique too, including the exotic-looking dragon inside an enormous cavern that is as beautiful and
grand as any Gothic cathedral.

FORGET THE GREAT PRACTICAL INFORMATION
BARRIER REEF?

Getting There and Around with a twist at Yoong Chong in
THE BUILD-UP Often touted as the top must-see- Weekly flights arrive at the island’s Poon San (tel. +61 9164 8133).
before-you-die attraction, Australia’s Great Barrier small international airport from Where to Stay
Reef is the most famous coral reef on the planet, due either Singapore or Kuala Try the Captain’s Last Resort (tel.
Lumpur, Malaysia, depending
mostly to its overwhelming size. Swim with minke +61 9381 54576), a cozy cottage
on the season. There are also
whales, dive with sharks, and snorkel with rainbow- with fantastic views of the sea.
twice-weekly flights from Perth
hued fish along 3,000 individual reefs that traverse in Australia. There is no public When to Go
the coast for 1,430 miles (2,300 km). transportation on the island, so Christmas Island sits just below
it’s vital that you rent a car, the equator, so its climate is
THE LETDOWN Thousands of people arrive at the preferably a 4WD, to negotiate tropical. Try to avoid February
Great Barrier Reef every year hoping to find a pristine ABOVE A group of divers preparing to jump into the sea at the the roads through the rain forest. and March, which are the
Great Barrier Reef, Australia wettest months.
underwater world teeming with fascinating marine Where to Eat
life. Instead, they find a coral reef that has been damaged by crowds of unthinking visitors, many of whom The handful of restaurants on Budget per Day for Two
US$400 for a day’s diving,
trample on it at low tide and grab hold of fragile pieces while snorkeling and diving. Christmas Island, including
Australian bistros and Malay and food, lodging, and
Chinese restaurants, reflect its transportation.
GOING ANYWAY? For the best diving, take a liveaboard boat to distant reefs well away from the day-trip regions.
multicultural population. Website
Never forget that the reef is a living entity. Help ensure its longevity by using ecologically minded operators. Indulge in Cantonese cuisine www.christmas.net.au

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