Around 200 nm to Banda so we did two nights and a day to get there, the first afternoon we played eye spy with the fishing nets and buoys with black flags, not easy to see, which had been set off the island.
The rest of the trip was a mixture of light winds and motor sailing. At the end of the last night we saw the most phosphorus I have ever seen, looking under the boat seemed all lit up and the waves sparkled, it was really beautiful.
The Banda islands are a group of ten islands formed by volcanic explosion and it still has steam coming out, Ken Phil and Nic walked up to the top 660m, great views. The islands are clustered together and 100 m deep in the chanels between the islands, we threw the anchor over in 25m the boat sat in 8m and we tied the stern to a coconut tree only half a boat length from the shore.
The water is so clear no need to snorkel you can easily see the fish, although sadly in some parts you can also see the plastic bags and rubbish.
Lots of history here with the Portuguese and Dutch invading the islands and building their forts to control the nutmeg plantations, it was the only place in the world that it grew at the time and was very sought after.
The village has many colonial houses from that era which is interesting.
We did the touristy stuff and visited the plantations and saw the trees and picking process, had dinner out with the crew from the other boats at this wonderful guest house which served the local specialties.
We hope to come back one day as we didn't see it all this time, absolutely special place.
The next stop is Ambon.
T
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
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