Dinghy Landing

Sunday 1 January 2017

Happy New Year everyone. Slept through most of the 14 hours into 2017 that we enjoyed before East Coast America. Not the first bit, however, due awakening at midnight from a hell of a commotion. There had been a bit of activity starting at sundown, but at the stroke of 12 the waterfront of Tual, over a mile and a half, lit up with constant aerial fireworks, continuous from end to end. Looked like "Shock and Awe". We're about 700 meters offshore in the catbird seat. Never seen anything like it. Made the guys in Sydney Harbour look like pikers. Finally eased a bit after 30 minutes, so returned to sleep with the pop, pop, popping of continued revelry. Figure either fireworks are really cheap here or constitute the bulk of foreign aid to Indonesia from China. There was a pantload for sale in town.

Have crossed our wake in the Kai Islands to complete a circumnavigation of Indonesia - across the bottom and back over the top. Returning to Malaysia, may check out more of the middle, Sulawesi and Kalimantan.

Tropical low in NT (Northern Territory of Australia) producing this wayward weather and keeping us in Tual until then should ease by Thursday or Friday. After that, as might be expected, there's no wind until after visa expires. Remember that comment about Mother Nature? Trick will be to catch the change with good sailing all the way to Darwin. Sanguinity abounds, but may put us at destination on Sunday with overtime charges. Hey, it's already expensive guys! Have requested anchoring out to clear in Monday. Let's just see how reasonable nanny state officialdom can be.

Monday

Wind still howling like a coyote in heat with few glimpses of sun intersperse with overcast and rain. Fortunately we have a sufficiency of coffee, peanut butter and gin to get us, for another several days, from morning through lunch into evening. Should be well rested for the envisioned perfect passage. Depending on wind (see above) may take about 75 hours. Entire crew champing at the bit to get there and patronize restaurant in Tipperary Marina, Frying Nemo Fish and Chips. Don't let the children know.

Jack