Independence Day
17 August 2017
With our entry formalities complete and our provisions stowed we set off mid-morning from Kupang towards Tang Gamuk.
It's Independence Day. We left the harbour with fighter jets roaring across the sky and the sound of parades and music and emanating from the city.
Hours later, after motor sailing up the coast, (and battling and benefiting from numerous current reversals) we turned the corner towards the anchorage and spotted hundreds of bright red and white national flags marking the small seaside village. By sunset the beach was alive with celebration. Patriotic messages echoed across the bay as local politicians addressed the villagers, people cheered each other on in beachside games, and after dusk an impressive firework display lit the sky.
We called it an early night due to our planned 2:30am departure, lulled to sleep by celebratory music which continued until the wee hours.