ONLINE VACATION
CHRISTMAS ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
9/8/13
Hi everyone... Yesterday, we were in New Zealand looking at
a Flower Show... Today, we are doing something different...
We are going to Christmas Island... Now, don't get too
excited because Santa Claus is not there... However, I can not
be on Christmas Island without some decorations... So, I have
all kinds of pretty festive things in my suitcase...
And of course, we have to have a Christmas tree
too... Everyone pitch in and decorate... One more thing
to make it look like Christmas... Snow!!! Just a
little to cover the ground... (It won't melt, same as
we can't get hurt by anything)... Wow, that looks
better now that we have decorated...
What we are here for is to check out a
land crab called a Coconut Crab... But first,
let me tell you about the island...
The Territory of Christmas Island is a territory of Australia
in the Indian Ocean... It has a population of 2,072
residents who live in a number of "Settlement areas"
on the northern tip of the island... It is called
Christmas Island because it was discovered on Christmas Day...
The average temperature in September is between 73 and 81 degrees...
The dense rainforest has grown in the deep soils of
the plateau and on the terraces... The forests are dominated
by 25 tree species... Ferns, orchids and vines grow on
the branches in the humid atmosphere beneath the canopy...
The 135 plant species include at least 18 that are
found nowhere else... There are also many rare birds there too,
so it is great for bird-watching... Scuba diving and
fishing are also popular activities of Christmas Island...
There are land crabs known as "Coconut crabs" also known
as "Robber crabs" that exist in large numbers on the island...
They are the biggest land-living arthropod in the world...
A coconut crab can grow up to 16 inches from
head to tail with a leg span of 3 feet...
It is huge... They have powerful front pinchers that can
open coconuts... They can climb a tree and shake it
for coconuts to fall on the ground to eat...
They do not eat off the tree... Although the Coconut Crab
is big and mighty, it is in danger... Because its
meat is considered a delicacy in many islands, it is
hunted and its population has declined massively...
I know they are not the prettiest creature, but I
am just trying to show you all kinds of things
as we travel around... Remember, we are safe from everything...
We can't get hurt in any way on our online visits...
So, I hope you enjoyed your trip to Christmas Island...
~Marsha~
a Flower Show... Today, we are doing something different...
We are going to Christmas Island... Now, don't get too
excited because Santa Claus is not there... However, I can not
be on Christmas Island without some decorations... So, I have
all kinds of pretty festive things in my suitcase...
And of course, we have to have a Christmas tree
too... Everyone pitch in and decorate... One more thing
to make it look like Christmas... Snow!!! Just a
little to cover the ground... (It won't melt, same as
we can't get hurt by anything)... Wow, that looks
better now that we have decorated...
What we are here for is to check out a
land crab called a Coconut Crab... But first,
let me tell you about the island...
The Territory of Christmas Island is a territory of Australia
in the Indian Ocean... It has a population of 2,072
residents who live in a number of "Settlement areas"
on the northern tip of the island... It is called
Christmas Island because it was discovered on Christmas Day...
The average temperature in September is between 73 and 81 degrees...
The dense rainforest has grown in the deep soils of
the plateau and on the terraces... The forests are dominated
by 25 tree species... Ferns, orchids and vines grow on
the branches in the humid atmosphere beneath the canopy...
The 135 plant species include at least 18 that are
found nowhere else... There are also many rare birds there too,
so it is great for bird-watching... Scuba diving and
fishing are also popular activities of Christmas Island...
There are land crabs known as "Coconut crabs" also known
as "Robber crabs" that exist in large numbers on the island...
They are the biggest land-living arthropod in the world...
A coconut crab can grow up to 16 inches from
head to tail with a leg span of 3 feet...
It is huge... They have powerful front pinchers that can
open coconuts... They can climb a tree and shake it
for coconuts to fall on the ground to eat...
They do not eat off the tree... Although the Coconut Crab
is big and mighty, it is in danger... Because its
meat is considered a delicacy in many islands, it is
hunted and its population has declined massively...
I know they are not the prettiest creature, but I
am just trying to show you all kinds of things
as we travel around... Remember, we are safe from everything...
We can't get hurt in any way on our online visits...
So, I hope you enjoyed your trip to Christmas Island...
~Marsha~
Information came from many sites
This is a MelloMarsha creation
9-7-13