Azzans Adventures

Vessel Name: Azzan
Vessel Make/Model: Roberts 370 Cutter Rigged Sloop
Hailing Port: Tincan Bay Queensland Australia
Crew: Jamie & Dawn White
About:
2011 Jamie & Dawn Have taken the plunge into the cruising life, intial plan to cruise and travel SE asia for the next 2 to 3 years and who knows what after that!!! Update 2017: After returning to Australia late 2013, we have settled in Gympie Qld with Azzan close by on a mooring in Tincan Bay. [...]
Extra: Azzan is a centre cockpit aft cabin sloop her home port was Cairns Bluewater marina, she has been prepared for a May 2011 departure for Darwin then the Sail Indoneasia rally. Azzan now is equipped with a Hot water and cabin heating system to cater for the southern seas, wow we wont know ourselves.
28 June 2013 | Cebu Philippines
28 June 2013 | Negros
28 June 2013 | Bonbonon Negros
28 June 2013 | Bonbonon Negros
28 June 2013 | Bonbonon
28 June 2013 | Sulu Sea
28 June 2013 | Sulu sea
28 June 2013 | Sulu sea
28 June 2013 | Tubbataha
28 June 2013 | Palawan
23 May 2013 | Puerto Princesa Palawan
23 May 2013 | Narra Palawan
23 May 2013 | Arrecife Island Palawan
23 May 2013 | Island Bay Palawan
05 May 2013 | Brookes Point Palawan
05 May 2013 | Rio Tuba
05 May 2013 | Candaranman Island
05 May 2013 | Balambangan
25 April 2013 | Usukan Island sabah
25 April 2013 | Brunei
Recent Blog Posts
28 June 2013 | Cebu Philippines

Swimming with Whale Sharks

Cebu island Tan-wanna Whale Sharks

28 June 2013 | Negros

Making a move

Making a move.

28 June 2013 | Bonbonon Negros

Week 3 in Tambobo

Tambobo Bay cont

28 June 2013 | Bonbonon Negros

Week 2 in Tambobo

Week 2 in Tambobo bay

28 June 2013 | Bonbonon

Tambobo bay a Great anchorage

1 Week in Tambobo

28 June 2013 | Sulu Sea

Last leg to Negros

Last leg to Bombonon

Swimming with Whale Sharks

28 June 2013 | Cebu Philippines
Jamie
Cebu island Tan-wanna Whale Sharks
We had heard a lot about a village on the South o Cebu that had Whale Sharks that are always around and was good for a visit with the yacht. We found a nice spot just west of the attraction, anchor azzan and were in the water before 9am Wow what a great experience, very controlled and a bit commercial but so accessible to all who wish to view these gentle giants. The fisherman started feeding the small shrimp to try and keep them out of their nets and it has now evolved into a good tourist business for them, a little bit controversy about it, guess time will tell, we thought it was great as the sharks were right a home with the process. We checked out the chart and thought we had found a good anchorage 10 mile up the coast but again the swell was too much and we would av been on a lee shore. Again it's now 1500 where do we go. We had planned to go to Bohol island next which was a 20mile run from where we were, also it is also across the main shipping channel, best option for us. The west coast of Bohol doesn't have any real shallow areas for anchoring plus we had no info from any cruising guides other than the capital Tagbilaran harbour which is reef strewn. The weather was still flat calm so we motored across without any problems, the fisherman here have FADs everywhere but are very visible being marked with big white floats. We had crossed the shipping lane by about 1900 and were in the lee of Pangloa island about 5 mile off shore, so we decided to Lay a Hull, basically this means we had no sails up and just drifted wherever the current or wind wanted to take us. Over the first 2 hrs we went NE then the tide changed and we went SW , then a storm front cam over and blew us north, at about 3am we started to get alarm warnings from shipping and found we were only 1 mile from th shipping lane so we started motored 2 mile NE and sat the rest of the night out in that area. In all we had done about 5 mile in a sort of circle, an it was a really comfortable night, although Jamie was only half asleep most of the time.

Making a move

28 June 2013 | Negros
Jamie
Making a move.
Wow a lot has happened on the las 5days.
We've had a meal at the Kookoo nest not bad, took the dinghy around at night was interesting.
We have been back to Dumaguete, with Jamie And Nikkie from Kookoo nest, took the generator into Honda dealer only to find out the had no idea about the electrical side of things, really a waste of time. We did get to do some good provisioning and if was good to be able to bring it back in a car.
Had the remote extrinsic box repaired, Manfred picked it up for us, Jamie fitted it and then had Manfred around to test it, unfortunately the technician has done more damage than good so 886 peso down the drain. 3000 later
So now the decision of what to do? New one it is, how do we get it here? What model do we buy? What about the budget? Where do we get it sent?
So new one it is, Coursemaster Cm85i waiting for a price, to circumvent Philippines customs we will have it sent to KK so we can also renew our visas which expire on the 11th July plus Cebu Pacific have specials on from Manila to KK for 99peos!,! Well that was. Furphy+++++ ended up being something like 2000 ea . So Air Asia won out.
Left Tambobo 1230 as the plan was to go to Apo island 6 mile to the east, the SW winds had dropped out and a Gentle half meter swell was all we had. We made some good water as we were planning a short trip, on arrival at Apo we found the swell was wrapping around the island and the anchorage not so favourable. Decision time again, where do we go for the night? 20 mile to Bohol and 14 to Dumaguete both could be rolly as it was getting late in he day Dumaguete got th nod as we knew a bit about the anchorage from our day trips. We arrived just on dark and found a nice bit of sand in 30 ft not much of a shelf and as we thought had a small swell coming in so it wasn't the best spot. In the end it was a reasonable night.

Week 3 in Tambobo

28 June 2013 | Bonbonon Negros
Jamie
Tambobo Bay cont
Been an interesting few days, have been to another 2buffets, Arlynes and Bruce's again both nice food. Got to meet a few more people, Dawn met Dianne fro USA she runs a learning centre, also Garry from Cebu USA been here a long time, daughter Nocole, crew Maria, Charisma.
Had Manfred over on Saturday to do electrical checks on the autopilot, eliminated all areas except for the remote circuit box has defiantly blown the transistors again, also I'd the generator has a fault in the regulator as doesn't run the sewing machine or washing machine, still in warranty.
Made the decision to take them both to Dumaguete on Monday, found a Honda dealer Du Ek Sam, and Manfred a wealth of knowledge about electronic repair places. Went for a run over to Tonga sails resort to meet Nigel, as he runs to town 3times week, interesting chap and establishment bit rough around the edges. Booked one seat for the Monday trip, as sounds like he is pretty full most times.
Jamie caught the ride 0830 at Tambobo dawn dropped off on the beach, decided not to bring the generator with him until found out if it was possible to be repaired. Car full had to sit on the console behind the driver, 1hr trip not too bad, drops off at Citi plaza, very good. Tricycle out to electronics Algerythme, looks promising, will know in one day if the fault can be I'd . Found Honda dealer and they stock the same generator and are happy to do the warranty work. Did shopping at Lee plaza, very good, found a nice European bakery and stocked up on some drinks ect. Dawn had productive day on the boat front cabin has had a spring clean and cushion covers repaired and washed. She also got to go out to Kookoo nest for lunch and had a nice chat with Nikkie.
Jamie back at 1600 Dawn picked up so now planning on getting the genset to Dumaguete.
Rainy night with wind still getting weather off the TL up north, Jamie woken up at 0230 and found a large Bunker had dragged anchor and was caught on our anchor chain, 2 smaller bunkers were trying to tow it off, Dawn up to man the helm and torch, Jamie fending off and the pushing the bunker with the dinghy, in the end they had to cut their anchor ope and will be back I the morning to finish the job, should be interesting, his is why Jamie is updating the notes at 0330, still getting lots of rain as well, all tanks full.

Week 2 in Tambobo

28 June 2013 | Bonbonon Negros
J&D
Week 2 in Tambobo bay
We are continually finding excuses why not to leave his area, so very relaxing, safe from the ocean, not security threats, good company, good food, plenty of places to explore and take the occasional walk, nice weather at the mo and relatively easy to get supplies!!
We have just agreed to stay here for a few more weeks as have ID a few jobs that we can do from here. We had Manfred over today for some electrical troubleshooting on our autopilot, solar panels and Honda generator, all 3 are faulty, so plan to sort that out while we are here, may also look at hiring our own motor bike, time will tell on that one. We may take a week out and head down to Mindinao for a run then come back 30 mile from here. Also need to do some medical follow up while in Dumaguete as well, visas expire on the 11th July so we think we will extend and get a Philippines ID card $50 ea

Tambobo bay a Great anchorage

28 June 2013 | Bonbonon
1 Week in Tambobo
It has been a very relaxing week here, the anchorage is very comfortable, people friendly and interesting. We have been busy doing our usual minor maintenance and home improvements. Dawn has had the sewing machine working and designed new cockpit curtains and weather covers, look really good and work a treat. She has also installed an exhaust fan in the head vent, got tired of waiting for the maintenance guy to come around. We have touched up some annoying rust spots and given the cockpit a spring clean.
We did a trip into Dumaguete and spent the night at the Bethel Lodge, in all a very nice trip, reasonable clean city, easy to get around and has most shops you would need. The trip was interesting in that we had to get BB to take us to the highway via the old Spanish road, then catch a bus the rest of the way, standing room only, Dawn tried to get a discount without any success. We have dined out at the 3local eateries, Emma's, Arlyne and also Bruce's all good value for money, for food and comfort our pick is Bruce's, it has been ancient way to meet most of the other cruising folk, as they all tend to do their our things during the day. Have a few just passing through and plenty of permanents. Meet a nice couple Danny and Lorna, he is Belgium and she Phillipino off to Cebu for some boat work.
Tuesday 12th
Went to a local festival at Siit branguy hosted by Emma's Cafe, this is a once a year event to celebrate the anniversary of St Anthony?. All the local people are invited to an open house feast, pig on the spit and other local delicacies, cost of beer only, in all a very nice evening, happy people, as usual like most of the Philippines very good at singing .
Arranged to go for snorkel out the front of the harbour wit 2other boats, all ended up coming in poly, reasonable coral, saw a Ribbon ell amazing colours, bright blue with a vivid yellow Dorsal fin and jaws. Stopped at the Cookoo nest resort on the way back, met Nikkie, lovely place very neat and beautifully laid out and maintained. Will go back for a meal. The property is a 20 odd year lease, interesting process, will ask more about it. Overcast day running the Honda as helps keep the power up and cool the boat.had a great afternoon walk, out past resort and beach front returned via inland very nice.

Last leg to Negros

28 June 2013 | Sulu Sea
J&D
Last leg to Bombonon
The plan was to leave at 0300 with the moon, but the captain was having too good a sleep, so under way at 0515, in all we drifted approximately 6 mile, firstly east then north, very quite night no boats, only heard dolphins beside the boat. Tried Ellie again this morning now she is cooled down, slight improvement but still not right, needs constant monitoring. Weather is flat calm again, have our waypoints for the entrance setup, looking forward to our next PH adventures. We can see the coast of Negros and Mindanao from where we are, lots of cloud on Negros.
We had a very comfortable last leg to Bonbonon, no real wind to speak of slowed the boat so we could make heaps of water as we expect the port water to be a bit dirty. Thanks to Solitas notes we had accurate waypoints into the inlet, also our goggle map overlay on Open CPN was excellent. On arrival the inlet looked pretty full, but managed to find a spot away from other boats as we need a bit of swing room, all other boats appear to go on moorings. To our surprise we are getting a nice breeze and it ha s been very nice so far. Jamie went and checked out a few of the cove's Cafe strip. Hoping to get a feed for the evening, but found that they are open for buffets on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday evenings and today is only MondaySo we settled in for a home cooked meal of sausages chips salad and eggs, bloody beautiful. Also agreed to break our alcohols free diet which we have been since before leaving PP and had a bottle of Jacobs Creek Merlo to celebrate landing in a new state of the Phillipines. Nice as well.

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