Friday 16 October 2015

It was bound to happen eventually. Wind as forecast and resultant sleigh ride eventuated (huh?) even requiring slowing to arrive after dawn last Saturday so as to permit sighting numerous reefs. Notwithstanding that we anticipated it would be, Karimunjawa (literally means a stone's throw from Java) has been great fun: good diving (3 wrecks and copious reefage), wonderful night market every day at the wharf with various foods including corn, fish and calamari on the barbie and fresh fruit juice smoothies (using an electric blender), scooter rental for conveyance to beaches, a mangrove trek and a butterfly park plus no pestering in the anchorage. If the dueling mosques were in compatible keys and if either chanter could carry a tune in a dump truck and if they didn't have 115 decibel loudspeakers and if they didn't start at 0350 every day and if they hadn't wailed continuously all day Wednesday and most of yesterday due to Muslim New Year this anchorage could have been idyllic.

Local boats (phinisis), while having the same general shape as elsewhere, are sleeker, cooler looking, more stable and equipped with neutral and reverse - what a concept. More maneuverable, the things are still usually manned by a helper for various duties. Regrettably, the fun not to mention damage, has been largely eliminated from entry onto cramped docks. Not perfectly modern and efficient however, throttle position on our dive phinisi was accomplished using 3 fishhooks attached to engine by different length strings. Speed was determined by which one was hung over the nail in a side brace.

Stayed too busy to write much what with exploring, socializing, partying and all, but now leaving for an island 15 west and want to get this location on blog's google map. No stops after that until Kelayang, Belitung, about 273 NM northwest, last location before clearing out to Malaysia where the adventure will carry forth primarily in and from marinas. Boat work and land travel is expected to ensue.

Jack