Video Dome tour

Xmas Island last day

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 12:43:42 +0800

Last day. Had an extra unscheduled screening at 8.00 am for a year 12 high school group. Mix up with the bus so we kicked off at 8.30 am. Went well but not much time for discussion after the showing. They were enthusiastic though and all clapped. Had to get everything packed quickly, as I need to book the dome and blower into the freight place as cargo as early as possible. Got that done, just need to pack. Room is a bit chaotic with stuff every where. Cables, camera stuff etc. Sunset is a much nicer place to stay than the Cocos Motel.

Xmas Island Thursday

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 22:11:35 +0800

Good day at the dome today. Very busy with school groups including the Kindy class - smallest folk in the dome yet! Some got a bit frightened of the night sky then it got contagious. Good late session turn out too including a real nice chinese family including grandma! bit of a win I think. They really liked the show and were very appreciative. The chinese school bus driver came in too - after work. Wanted to see what all the kids had seen. Real nice man too. A good day all round.

Xmas Island Wednesday

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 21:52:47 +0800

Up at 5. 30 am. Determined to make the most of the day. Went to Margaret Knoll Lookout first thing. Already warm but great looking out from the vantage point. Boobies gliding below and frigate birds wheeling in the air above. Birds flying at eye level with the coast far below. Water spouting from blow holes like fountains on the coast in the distance.

Took a few photos of birds then went back to the path where the car was parked. Lots of red crabs around. Made a few spherical panoramas in the jungle then headed back to base.

Still time to have breakfast and a snorkel at the cove. Underwater camera not working- a disappointment. Got to Rec Centre at 10.15 for a 10.30 start,

Schools in today so pretty busy.

Xmas Island Tuesday

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:13:02 +0800

Out to Flying Fish Cove for a look underwater before opening the dome at 11.00 am.

Opened the dome exhibition at 11.00 am, a fairly quiet morning with a few visitors- but the Rec Centre was pretty quiet anyway. Showed the work to Claire the wife of the island’s doctor who has lived on islands all over the place including Norfolk Island. Always interesting people in these remote places. Its quality rather than quantity that counts I reckon.

Both morning and afternoon sessions quite quiet. There is always someone from arts and culture at each session to help out.

In the afternoon session the Afghan refugees came in for a look, not sure what they made of it all.

Xmas Island Monday

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:53:47 +0800

Video Dome sessions start at 11.00 am and run through til 6.30 pm all day with a break at 4.00 pm. The air conditioning in the Rec Centre function room pumps nice cold air into the dome so the starry nights are a bit ‘northern’. Had a few visitors, but most interestingly a group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers with a red cross representative!