WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (and more)
This thumbnail gives you a close up look
at a Christmas Island Jungle "fun guy".
And there is nothing in the jungle that will harm you - (snake free zone) plus 27
endemic species of flora and fauna (including the rarest seabirds in the world) and its
one of the world's best diving locations as well (whale sharks!) go to www.christmas.net.au for more info and links to all
the CI sites.
Flame flowers bloom in
very small numbers but are a sight to see against the blue of a tropical island sky. In
contrast the wattle tree in bloom against the winter sky of mainland West Australia looks
positivley frozen.
Keep Scrolling for more images of flowers
and other "wildlife."
he Japanese Frangipani and it's European
cousin (by way of Asia) are favourites of Christmas Island gardeners
An Australian eucalypt - the gum tree - a symbol to all Australians of the
wide open spaces. Sadly there are still too many trees being logged but it is turning
around. Tree planting is serious business to many Australian farmers and government
subsidises native replanting schemes.
More Australiana n' stuff
In the main street of many Aussie towns the Tattooist is the first port of call for
many young fellers from the bush in town with their mates, their paychecks and their dutch
courage.
The Blue Heelers
Tavern in Geraldton is a typical Aussie pub. No fancy boutique bars, just good cold beer,
a range of whiskies and rum, and live rock n' roll in the lounge on the weekends. Its also
got a great Mexican restaurant which is a welcome enigma.
Even in winter (2o C) on this
cold grey morning - the search for the
perfect wave.
(Below)The Dragon Boat racers of Geraldton practise in the harbour at sunset.
Another fantastic Asian influence on Australian culture.
There is a move in Geraldton to
demolish the silos and the foreshore railway. The huge wheat silos on the wharves make a
dramatic silhouette against the setting sun. The railway leads to the silos and could be
used for light rail to carry tourists up and down the foreshore as well as linking up to
the main rail links with other WA destinations. Geraldton is right in the middle of
wildflower country so its worth considering.
It is a cheap and environmentally
friendly means of transport and there are not many places where you can travel by tram
along the beachfront.
Left -The world famous Kangaroo Paw - an Australian native - this one
in South West Australia. Below - Christmas Island Old Chinese Cemetery
OK So it's Christmas Island and you've
got to have at least one photograph of crabs. Here is a throng waiting to drop their eggs
at the ocean's edge.
MORE IMAGES BELOW
Click here for a dramatic shot of Flying Fish Cove as night falls and it
becomes this
THE MANIC MONSIGNOR - HE JUST KEPT PUTTING UP CHURCHES
The St Francis Xavier Cathedral
in Geraldton - designed by Monsignor Hawes - a prolific church builder in the early 20th
century. There are many of his churches in the mid and south west of West Australia (as
well as Great Britain- he put up an enormous number) but none as grand as this one.
THE HAWES FACTOR
Hawes was an energetic builder of churches large and small and this
one I found literally on the side of the road, close to nothing else really. It is as if
he'd stopped for a cup of tea and thought - "Oh well, while I,m here.........."
Churches play a significant role
in the architectural history of the world - this thumbnail will give you a high resolution
image of the interior of the ruins of St Pauls Cathedral in Malacca. It was built in the
16th century and was the original burial place of St Francis Xavier.
Christmas Island's geographical location means easy, fast acess to any
part of SE Asia. Now getting to the rest of Australia is not so easy, its expensive and
takes a looong time.
(Below)The Christmas Island Chinese Literary Association Canteen.
Noodles, coffee, beer or soft drinks for the best 5 dollar meal you've ever tasted.
An island institution and the place where, if you sit there for long enough you will see
everybody.
The
Banjo sisters of Christmas Island. With a population of under 2000 and an ethnic mix of
Malay Chinese and Australian caucasians would you epect to find a female trio of banjo
pickers?
Two views from the Ellendale Rockpool 40 kms outside
Geraldton.
BELOW - THUMBNAILS TO SOME HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES - SUITABLE FOR
BACKGROUNDS, WALLPAPER ETC.
From November to February the
Poinciana blooms all over the Island.
Send an email from the Sandgate Post
Office thumbnail - (this shot for all who know that this obscure Brisbane suburb was the
birthplace of the Australian new wave of rock and roll, AND THAT IS ALL SHE WROTE!
For more on the RnR history of my hometown (Sandgate Qld) visit the
Dropkick website.
6am - Time for Greek coffee - Northbridge
- Perth (Now the site of the Blues Cafe)
please download any of the images and use on your website - you can
contact me at tjmock@bigpond.com.au Just
one more image of the Christmas Island Mosque (thumbnail below) to sign off from
this page. With under 2000 people Christmas Island has Moslems, Buddhists, Christians,
Pagans, Bah'ai, Taoists, Rastafarians, Jews, and even a practising witch - yet
tolerance of all beliefs and ethnicity goes without saying.A big part of island life is
the participation by all islanders in community events, observances and
celebrations.Christmas Island is 70% virgin rainforest in an unpolluted environment with
no really harmful creatures throughout its amazing tropical jungle.It is a photographer's
dream and "new territory" with human habitation going back a mere 100 years.
Contact the Christmas Island Tourism Association at www.christmas.net.au for information on how
to visit this amazing dot in the Indian Ocean just 45 mins flight from Jakarta.
See you on "The Rock".
