Cruising? What cruising?

After a string of challenges involving water pumps, post office in nz (whom thought langkawi was somewhere in india!) and outboards, we left for sumatra with rolly seas and average winds. We didnt muck around and used the engine shamelessly. But we manage so sail for a while especially during a 40 knot squall that caught us unaware with our main totally up. Needless to say it was mayhem. To complete the picture we were on the shipping lane with a massive tanker coming for us plus rain so thick that visibility was 20 meters being generous. Russ put me on the radio as captains seem to be partial to female voices... Well got to admit he is right, the ship saw us even before we called it and it was already turning when i called and a funny russian imitating an aussie said "no worries mate". We had no time to laugh as the sail was still up and wind on the up too. Got the damn thing down going down wind as it was far too windy and we were shit scared of pointing up. I actually went on deck fully harnessed up to do that as russ had to be spot on the driving. With much effort, a river of water going inside my wet weather gear through the sleeves of my raised arms and a massive rip from a lazy jack it was all accomplished. What a wake up call from the oceans! We arrived at pulau rubiah in weh at 2 in the morning having done the trip in 48 hours so not so bad. We've been here for roughly 20 days now and have done the banda aceh and northern west coast quickly with lots of motoring and SE winds ( on the nose ). No boats around and no swell to be found. Caught a break and had good winds to sail overnight to simelue. In lassia, an island paradise between simelue and the banyaks group our luck abandoned us and during one of the many squals that pass around this area we got an indirect hit by lightening. Our switch panel went blank straight away. Blood drained from our faces as that could potentially mean the end of our trip for the year. We started counting casualities and in 2 days figured that we had lost our wind instrument, smart regulator and sea talk system of the autopilot which means we have to choose to use the autopilot or check depth cant do both. So of all the bad things that could have happened our luck hadn't deserted us after all it just took a different shape! Oh well, the dramas dont really end there: along the way we lost our sailmail meaning i am writing and sending this from my mobile! Indonesia has this amazing ability of being so backwards and so modern at the same time! And the last but not least of our list of loses is our not so beloved brand new propellers. Russ has given up on them as now on top of not feathering properly they dont reverse. So we will revert to the old props and send this ones packing back to the factory in nz. Ok enough winging. The bottom line is that we will persevere and are keeping to the plan. In the meanwhile most dramas have been put on the back of our minds while we enjoy the pleasures of the banyak islands. Surf is up and so is the fishing. The rain is still around but not much lightening so at least our hearts can stay calm and moonwalker clean.