So Long Sorong
18 December 2016 | Selat Sele
Yef Bi Sunset
Sunday 18 December 2016
Many sailors do and most probably should put biocide in their fuel or it's likely to grow bugs. They're not really bugs, of course, but algae and treacly sludge it is. Apparently the stuff chows down on diesel, but can only live in water. Why is water in diesel, you might ask. Don't. Algae normally utilize chlorophyll, so don't know how that works without light, but these seem not to mind as much as they should. Perhaps since they eat diesel for a living the chlorophyll is superfluous (huh?), redundant (huh?), unnecessary. If you run through fuel quickly enough the additive is also probably superfluous (huh?), redundant (huh?), unnecessary, however, sailboats normally haul their fuel around for extended periods because of an alternative means of propulsion. This has not been the case in "The Land Below the Wind". We've run out of algicide and it's not available, but lucky for us there is little wind and we get to refill tanks regularly. This usually involves several trips schlepping up to 30, 20 liter jerry cans to the boat from a fuel station via local transport and dinghy. By the way, many people go into sailing having been told the wind is free. This mendacity is perpetrated by brokers and sailors wishing to sell boats to gullible cheapskates.
Have now left Sorong forever once again. When leaving a place forever, it's customary to do it only once, but being so enamored of the concept we decided it was worth another go. Need for fuel and oil (nearly depleted) and laundry service (just short of reversing dirty skivvies for a second round) was an additional inducement. Also had an opportunity to reconnect with the great and helpful folks at EON Engineering, Wick, Ayu and Neddy. Thanks for everything, guys.
Latest, revised, final plan to follow: Heading to Triton Bay for Christmas. Jimmie at Triton Bay Divers has invited us to anchor off his resort and, always amenable to abusing a proffered hospitality, we shall. Besides what is considered, along with Raja Ampat, perhaps the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on the planet, there are whale sharks. One just cannot see too many whale sharks.
As postulated when marking the calendar, we are almost immediately behind schedule. Ambon, a long 2 overnight, 3 day sail from Triton Bay, may or may not be graced by our presence a week late. Can't be more than a week and a half, however, as visa renewal must be completed before the 7th or Indonesian authorities will be miffed.
Jack