Sinky Sibolga

Got to Sibolga this morning, after an overnight from the Banyaks. Plenty of action at night, with boats, nets and a 30 knots squall. Managed to sail a good part of the trip which had Russ stoked. Sibolga doesn't look much from the water but what shocks is the smell... fish sauce mixed with garbage. Had to re-anchor as plastic bags on the anchor wouldn't let it settle. After all the awesome pristine spots we've been it's a bit of a shock to the system, but all yachties say it is better ashore with all the good shops, market etc. We will be finally clearing into Indonesia here, so wish us luck on dealing with the officials.

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really cruising

We are still in the Banyaks parked just off a nice left hand reef break.You really have to have your shit together as the wave,although peeling,beaks around a reef about a foot under the water. I have a couple of really good reef tattoos on my back through being a little to game or being a little silly.
I am very proud of Karin with her spearfishing,one day she asks me how to load the gun,next day she's bringing home dinner!
This anchorage is great as you can afford to take your mind off the boat and focus on real fun for a while.
All good here!

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Spear-fishing woman!

Just a quick note to you all that I (Karin) am the new provider of the boat! And Russ' spear gun is not as bad as we thought if used at (very) close range! After a short lesson the day before yesterday, I went out on my own to try and get something, came back with an Unicorn fish of about 1.5kg. While not the best eating fish, it was highly appreciated and good sport (he took my spear into a hole where I had to fight him out of). Next day I found a cray and couldn't resist but spear it... not fair I know, but it tasted just delicious! I am totally hooked!

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Bay of Plenty

We are having such an amazing time! Since our last post we had so many days of idillic surf, weather, clear water, jungle, monkeys and old friends! While at sundowners time, we got approached by a dinghy from a charter boat with some of Russell friends from New Zealand: Terry O'Shanessy, Andrew Mitchel, Hamish McCrostie, Chris Freeman and Mark Sharrock. Russ freaked! The boys seemed to be genuinely happy to see Russ out here, living the dream. What a blast of a time we had with those guys! Their charter skipper, Steve and his lovely Thai wife Anna, where amazingly generous having us for dinner one night. All the boys where having a great time, with plenty of coral scraps all over, but Russ had managed to escape that destiny, until yesterday... yep, good old coral tattoo for Russ the Mus. So one day of rest and pampering for the old man, but today he is ripping again. I can see him on the wave from where I am writing..oopps just got wiped out... We are in a place called by westerners "Bay of Plenty" (so much going on here - jungle, rivers, mangroves, coral, waves...) and by Indos, Teluk Mariabah. A little piece of paradise on the island of Tuangku in the Banyaks. Life is bliss.

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Cruise mode

After the dramas of the Aceh area we have now settled into cruise mode again. Sails haven't been out of the bag for days as there's no wind and I am getting used to the sound of the engine and burning dollar bills in diesel. A few years ago I didn't even dream of cruising the Northern Sumatran coast but its now a reality. It is bloody beautiful. We are now Island hopping discovering surf breaks,lovely anchorages,trolling in the dinghy for fish,hunting for big crabs to eat at sunset on the beach. Only concern is a nightly thunder/wind/rain cloud. It brings about 20 knots of wind and a massive downpour. I have rigged a rain catchment system on our cockpit bimini and it is working sweet. Tons of water! Just like home. Currently motoring, 20 miles out from Bangkaru Island (position 2 degrees north,96 degrees 06 minutes east) in the Banyak group of Islands, north of Nias. All well and loving it!

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Waves

After a trouble free overnighter with quite a bit of sailing, we made it to Lakon Island off Simeulue. Our first anchorage saw us just by a little break that was the happiness of the boys. A very quick and sharp take off, but soft smooth waves after. Good training. I did attempt it a couple of times, but must say that the view of the corals underneath, especially with the wave being that steep and sucking up all the water totally freaked me out. But it was deep enough, even for a head dive, which Fred from Endless Dream did, obviously without wanting it. For the first time in days, I saw the boys with a huge smile on their faces. Françoeise (Fred's companion on this trip) and I went for long walks on the island, over huge "gardens" of dead coral, lifted by the tsunami. The coral debri, pilled on the beach made an impressive wall in some areas. A sad sight but it was nature's choice I guess. After 2 days in Lakon we are now 15 miles further south in an island called Simeulucut with beautiful white sand beach, turquoise water and a potential break around the corner we still have to check out. Russ is at this very moment on the top of Fred´s mast, taking photos of Moonwalker and the surroundings. It's hard going so far, but it's getting better by the mile.

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