World ARC 2019-20 in Cocos Keeling
by World Cruising Club 8 Oct 2019 06:40 UTC
World ARC 2019-20 © World Cruising
After leaving Christmas Island, World ARC fleet arrived after 525 Nm in Cocos Keeling, a tiny group of coral islands that form two atolls with only two of the 27 islands inhabited.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands were occupied by the Clunies-Ross family in 1827, who established and developed coconut plantations throughout the islands. With them they brought labourers from Africa, China, Java, Borneo and Malacca, a group who now form the Malay community on the Islands.
On arrival in Cocos the fleet anchor in Port Refuge, a beautiful bay on the western edge of Direction Island where they clear in with the Australian Federal Police and Customs.
'Port Refuge' is a stunning stop with beautiful clear water, waving palm trees, a mile of sandy beach. There are also shelters on the on the Island where cruisers get together to cook supper, drink, and exchange tales. A famous snorkeling location called "the Rip" is located just along the beach at the eastern tip of the island.
On Sunday following the Skippers Briefing held in the shelters ashore on Direction Island, World ARC arranged a lovely beach BBQ that all participants really enjoyed! All food and equipment was brought over from West Island and all rubbish removed at the end.
The World ARC fleet departed the Cocos (Keeling) Islands this morning, embarking on the second longest passage of their circumnavigations, a 2350 nautical mile crossing of the Indian Ocean. The start was held in the crystal clear aquamarine waters of the Cocos lagoon with a fresh 18 kts South Easterly blowing.
As the fleet make their way across the Indian Ocean, they have the attractions of Mauritius to look forward to where expected arrivals will be in approximately two weeks.