Christmas Island, Kiribati (CXI) pics

Will T · #1 5th July 2008, 07:27 AM

Had the pleasure a couple of days ago of flying an all-daylight QF74 SFO-SYD (yes, it was quite delayed!). We flew right past Christmas Island in Kiribati (PLCH/CXI), one of very few alternates out that way with a runway long enough to accomodate a 747-400. It's around 1200nm due south of Honolulu - plug 1° 52' 0 N 157° 25' 0 W into Google Earth.

Managed to get a few snaps (it's rare to see it in daylight)... I've resized them from the originals, but they're still a little large, so apologies in advance.

Overview of the island, from the south:

Southern tip of the island. Note the old guano pits. The air strip on the right is abandoned, and was built and used by the British for their 1950s nucelar testing on the island (in which I believe a number of 'detonations' occurred directly overhead the island, without evacuating the locals!).

View of the northern half of the island, including the large lagoon (the actual PLCH airfield is obscured by cloud, unfortunately). :

We said g'day to the lady in the tower on the way past, and an Air Pacific 737 was also inbound from Nadi (thence continuing to HNL). No one in the cabin was sleeping, so I made a PA about it, and we had a very grateful passenger in First Class whose father was stationed there during the war. Has anyone ever been to Christmas Is, or stopped off there on the FJ flight? Something I wouldn't mind doing, actually!

Will

James K · #2 5th July 2008, 10:00 AM

Thanks for the pics Will. I'm calling there in Oct this year on a cruise from SFO to SYD. Will be interesting to go ashore and see whats there. Not much though frmo what I've heard from others that have been there.

Rhys Xanthis · #3 5th July 2008, 03:33 PM

Wow, thanks for the fantastic pics and info Will

Looks awesome,

Mike Scott · #4 6th July 2008, 04:46 AM

Nice Shots Will, looks like you will have to give me some tips on taking Pics out the cockpit window...all the ones I've tried to take never come out like these..I always end up with some kind of glare/reflection etc...Camera is probably way better than mine (Cannon Sure shot...just a cheap one.)

Photography was never one of my strong points.

MS

Scott Lindsell · #5 6th July 2008, 01:22 PM

Thanks for sharing Will.
Something you don't see everyday and glad you made the P.A.
Scott.

Adam B · #6 8th July 2008, 07:57 PM

We landed in Christmas Island June 25th on a flight from Honolulu to Nadi. It's a 2hr 50min flight from HNL. Airport is very basic with a hand painted sign saying "Welcome to Christmas Is". About 10 passengers got off with another 10 getting on for the 4hr 25min flight to Nadi. If global warming continues the island will be submerged in around 20 years as it is only 5 feet above sea level. Air Pacific flys there every Wednesday on the outbound leg to HNL and then returns several hours later on the return flight to Nadi. Popular with deep sea fishing and those after an eco experience. We saw live fish loaded into the cargo hold as well as aquarium species. Would say it's an ideal way to spend a lazy week's holiday.