As dusk approached on Sunday September 25th, 2016, Captain Ken steered his tired but very excited crew aboard Resolute into Direction Island Bay, Cocos Keeling Islands. This destination could not come soon enough for most. Those turbulent nasty seas giving way to a relatively calm lagoon seemed at the time nothing short of a miracle. Phew we made it. Finally the waves stopped and the washing machine cycle finished! Darkness came quickly and we wasted no time in opening a beautiful bottle of French champagne to celebrate our arrival, every drop appreciated after the buckets of tea we had consumed over the past three days.
Morning was brilliant! We were overjoyed at the picture we woke to, a postcard perfect tropical island littered with coconut palm trees, ringed by ivory white sand and aqua blue water.
There were many boat chores to be ticked off and always a couple of hours are needed to restore order to the boat nooks and crannies, heads and galley. Windows are washed, mats are shaken, cupboards cleaned, walls wiped down and inventories taken of food and teabags. Over the next few days, one by one we jubilantly welcomed the battered fleet, sharing trials and tribulations of how they got through the huge seas. We felt so attached to these people, even though we’d met them less than a week ago. So much goodwill amongst the fleet for each other and very impressive sailing by all.
The next few days were full of exploring and adventure. The most challenging: snorkelling across the infamous rip to grab a submerged fixed rope which floats over a coral reef teaming with an array of tropical fish. Rachel lead the group noting serious safety precautions to be adhered to, although our fearless 007 Captain was hovering with the dingy should one of his crew members miss the rope and be propelled to Sumatra. No names of those needing rescue being shared here…thanks Ken X
Farewell sundowner drinks on our deserted beach were enjoyed by members of the fleet from where we sadly 
said goodbye to new friends forever bonded by sharing this incredible leg of the rally.
A quick ferry trip the next day took us to Home Island where the majority of the Keeling island inhabitants live and onto South Island, home to the airport and where Ressie’s next crew were eagerly awaiting.