19 January 2014 | 02 21.241'S:105 37.595'E, between Bangka and Sumatra
10 January 2014 | 02 44.5'S:111 43.9'E, Kumai, Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo)
07 January 2014 | 06 59.103'S:114 07.199'E, East end of Madura, Eastern end of Java, Indonesia
24 December 2013 | 08 30.473'S:116 01.389'E, Lombok, Indonesia
19 December 2013 | Komodo National Park, Indonesia
14 December 2013 | Komodo National Park, Indonesia
06 December 2013 | 08 31.113'S:119 52.065'E, Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia
05 December 2013 | 08 23.583'S:120 02.972'E, Flores Sea
04 December 2013 | 07 57'S:120 49'E, Flores Sea
03 December 2013 | 07 16.0'S:122 11.7'E, Bone Rate, Indonesia
02 December 2013 | 06 03.9'S:124 08'E, Wakatobi, Indonesia
01 December 2013 | 04 54.932'S:126 13.158'E, The Banda Sea
30 November 2013 | 3 42.134'S:128 10.149'E, Ambon City
25 November 2013 | 4 31.374'S:129 53.872'E, Melissa's Garden, Raja Ampat, Papua
25 November 2013 | 4 31.374'S:129 53.872'E, Raja Ampat
25 November 2013 | 4 31.374'S:129 53.872'E, Banda Neira
18 November 2013 | 1 53.459'S:129 43.990'E, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
18 November 2013 | 1 13.245'S:129 45.069'E, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
17 November 2013 | 0 26.578'S:130 26.639'E, Raja Ampat
10 November 2013 | 0 57.185'S:130 40.136'E, Raja Ampat
At Sea Again -- 3
11 September 2012 | 14 06.547'S:158 58.055'W, South Pacific between French Polynesia and Suwarrow
Arthur
As of 2242 on 9/11/12 we are at 14d 06m S 158d58m W. SOG 6.5 kts. COG 270mag.
Its cloudy and a bit dreary. Though it is pretty warm and even a bit muggy. The last twenty four hours has seen little wind, so we are motor sailing. Watched the movie "The Guard" last night -- a very funny sort of murder mystery set in rural Ireland. Another big fish on the line today, only this on broke the 150lb leader line. We need to attract something smaller!! It still looks like we'll reach Suwarrow Thursday morning.
It seems odd to be out of French Polynesia after being there for 3 months. It is a huge place geographically, so in many respects we've seen very little of it, and culturally it is pretty diverse. Though they are all polynesians, there are language differences that are enough to mean some island groups don't understand the language of other island groups. And you see a fair bit of difference in the dances, songs and art work as well. We enjoyed both the remote areas and the populated areas. I think we prefer the remote areas. The french influence is weaker, and they don't look at everyone as a tourist. The populated areas are great too, great restaurants and food, great french influence in the grocery stores, and lots to do. But the constant jet ski tours emanating from the "Honeymoons for Suckers" resorts get a bit tedious. But not as tedious as the training of the local population to think that everyone, but them, has money to spend like fools on honeymoons. It ha s a serious affect on the mind set of the local population. Some are downright bitter, some turn criminal, some people remain friendly but they are stand-off-ish as they can't look at westerners except through this financial filter. Of course not everyone is lke this, but there is enough of it to be very noticeable. This is much less true in the less travelled areas. People are warm and welcoming, and any 'transactions' are viewed more as a mutually beneficial aspect of the encounter.
blah blah blah....