Waterfall with Friends

Sunday 11 December 2016

Since Kwatisore we've had three delightful anchorages, some diving, a waterfall pool for swimming in chilly water right behind a beach we used for a pizza night, goodbye party. Now we're heading back to beautiful downtown Sorong for visa extensions, provisions and diesel. "Double overnight" will be our mantra for the next 2 1/2 months as a number of the eleven tentative destinations en route to Malaysia are 250 to 300 NM apart. Figuring a week per place, that will get us to Puteri Harbour before the end of February and institute a handy schedule to show how far behind we are.

It's rainy season in West Papua. This means lots and lots of rain instead of lots of rain, but plenty of water in the tanks. It's not the windy season, however. That happened in 1927. What zephyrs exist will come mostly from the direction of travel, but at least there may occasionally be cooling air across the deck. Ocean currents this time of year are also against us. Don't look for a silver lining on this one. A quick perusal would suggest nearly break-even, but since the engine is running we can make enough water to pour down the drain (in a manner of speaking) and don't need the rain and that's not even counting the noise. Of course the breeze thing is still good, so there you go.

Due to a comedown after seeing whale sharks, the sadness of parting with special friends (this is not the one meaning retarded, it's the other one) and the anticipation of 55 hours of constant motoring to a less than favorite place for accomplishing onerous chores, the jollies and merries may have to wait until closer to Christmas.

We do, however, currently have the spinnaker flying, making 6 to 7.5 kts., enjoying peace and saving fuel which is in short supply, so there you go.

Jack