Flores

The wind was on the beam 10 - 15 knts so we made good miles for the first two days and nights and no fishing boats or ships we thought we were the only ones out there, then on the third night light winds, so we turned on the motor. We came across fishing boats 100nm from the coast line, gave us a bit of a fright as they only turned on their light as we came close, lucky we could steer round them easily with the motor on, then later in the night a few ships came close to our course, Ken did the night shift that night, I think the adrenalin was pumping and he couldn't rest.

After three nights at sea we anchored at Adonara island next to Flores, S W had passed us the afternoon before so we threw down the anchor near them, we had a view of four volcanos! A village in the distance, a sand cay next to us with reef and sand bottom that we could see the anchor and it was very quiet and peaceful just what we needed after the hustle and bustle of Ambon.
Sunset drinks on the cay in the afternoon was ten out of ten you couldn't ask for a better spot, I have some great photos to show you but the Internet here is terrible, hope to send some through as soon as we can.
Some of the locals came out in their timber dugout canoes to offer us some small reef fish, pineapple etc they were very friendly but hard to speak to them with the little bahasa we know.

The next anchorage was a small bay with hills all around we could see bananas coconut and paw paw trees and the village on top of the hill, the beach was volcanic rocks. All afternoon we had kids come over wanting books, pens, goggles or balls we gave some away but you have to stop at some point, they were happy and wanted to practice their English, most of them say "hello mister" or "how are you" always with a smile.

As we sailed further west we anchored at Maumere in front of a dive resort, we organized for a car and driver to take the four of us to Kellimatu volcano and crater lakes. The drive through the island interior was hilly with jungle and tropical trees, coconut, bananas etc also some rice paddys and small crops. After three hours driving we arrived near the top of the volcano, we walked the last 20 minutes for the best view of the crater lakes all separate from each other and also three different colors, one turquoise one milky mint green and the other one a green black colour apparently they change colour with the seasons and mineral content of the water,amazing.
The next few days were spent mixing with the locals on the bemos into town, getting fresh food at the markets, diesel etc. 

With no wind we motor sailed to the next anchorage, a small bay surrounded with hills and no village, although we were visited by the local fisherman who came in to have a rest, I bought a cuttlefish and S W bought a small crayfish both were still alive so at least they were fresh not like some of the fish we have seen laying in the bottom of their boats in the sun.
The next day 5 knts of wind so we again motor sailed and anchored out side of a reef surrounding the white beach and a village with lots of coconuts trees it looked very pretty, we were having sunset drinks and lots of dugouts came out to fish the reef near us so Ken turned up Joe Cocker and they cheered, music a wonderful way of communicating.

We finally have some wifi....... And hope its a bit more reliable the further west we go.
Thank you for all your news from home it is great to hear from you all xxx
Sent from my iPad


Sent from my iPad