8 Dec: Saturday (11.30 pm)

     Arrived Xmas Island 10 am. Everywhere we can see there is Ocean, white sand and palm trees. We’ve spent two thirds of the time swimming so far and likely to go on that way with this terrific heat.

     Had narrow escape when I was pulled out to sea because of the strong undercurrent. Rescued with a lifebelt. Was I scared. I must have swallowed half the Pacific.

     Don and I went collecting coconuts this evening. The trees are very hard to climb. At about 1 am the crabs came marching to the sea, what a sight. They didn’t bother us though.