The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a territory of Australia located in the Indian Ocean southwest of Christmas Islands roughly halfway between Sri Lanka and Australia.

Cocos consists of two atolls (a ring-shaped reef) and 27 coral islands.

Two of the 27 are inhabited – West Island and Home Island, with a population of approximately 620 people. Home Island (Pulu Selma) has about 500 predominately Cocos Malay people. West Island (Pulau Panjang) is home of the Clunies-Ross coconut plantation, an airstrip (which was built during World War II), and a general store among other administrative buildings.

They are called Cocos because of the many coconuts and Keeling because William Keeling of the East India company discovered this uninhabited atoll in 1608.

Cpt John Clunies- Ross claimed the islands for Britain and came to live here in 1825. He established a coconut export business with convict labour. Their private home Oceania is now a museum. Australia bought the islands off the Clunies -Ross in 1955. Look who visited in 1957.

A referendum held in 1984 voted for them to remain a part of Australia and so they are !There is a Clunies -Ross who still lives here.

The Lagoon is turquoise and tranquil while the other side is perfect for surfers and kite surfers. We are exploring the Lagoon side.

Beautiful beaches, hermit crabs galore and some bommie reefs.

Waves that crash on the outer reef foaming and furious. We took canoes out and headed for some of the smaller islands. Lots of fish, turtles, sea cucumbers and an octopus. And on one small one the blue tailed skink. Jake and Jessie will be so happy to hear they are alive and thriving on their new home.

Perhaps this is the only golf club in the world where you have to walk over an airstrip to complete the course !

Idyllic as it may look don’t stand under a coconut tree and don’t underestimate the rips.

A final note – A coconut is not a nut but a droop according to the Prof so title misleading but creatively effective !