I visited Christmas Island for some meetings this week. It is the largest coral atoll in the world – 150 square miles or so and a lagoon about the same size. It is in a remote area of the Pacific as part of the Northern Line Islands of Kiribati. I basked in the wonderful warmth of welcome from the people of Kiribati as well as the warm tropical breeze. I had read as much as I could about Christmas Island before I went and in many ways it was as expected – many coconut trees and houses with tin roofs or grass thatch – a beautiful lagoon and a warm pacific ocean – and a small population of welcoming folk, however I had not expected to fall in love with this special place and its warm and kind people. I took many photographs – here are a few to give you a sense of the island.
Welcome at the Airport
The Captain Cook Hotel
Bungalow on the beach
View from my bungalow front door.
Beside my Bungalow
Sunset that first evening
Dawn light the next day
An hour or so later
Looking down the beach in the opposite direction
Taking photos from the car when we drove down the main road on the island
Looking out onto the lagoon
Fishing close to the harbor
Fishing Boat
The Port in London, Christmas Island.
Fisherman on the Lagoon
London from further off shore
Taking pictures on the way back to the hotel
ATM machine
School visit – much wonderful singing and dancing
School assembly hall
View of a corner of the lagoon often used for swimming and boating
Sunset
