photos

Gili Lawa Laut on Komodo Island. Great water clarity and diving

Cigarette lighters on the beach Indonesian fishermen's navigation lights



The internet cafe on Gili Lawa. We had to climb up to the ridge to get a 3G connection

the entrance to the Komodo Dragon Reserve




sunset at the Atlantis restaurant at Labuan Badjo

 

Motorcycle momma in Mausambi



There be dragons

Komodo dragon (really just a big lizard) on the move on Rinca Island

Lombok Island, Indonesia

We left Labuan Bajo, otherwise known as LBJ on the morning of   August 31st. For the island of Rinca the home of the famous Komodo Dragons. We anchored up in a very sheltered bay next to the ranger station. There was lots of wild life in the bay with fish jumping all over the place and Capuchin monkeys swinging from the mangroves and eating crabs on the beach. David and Marion from Killkea II and the two of us went ashore the following morning to see the creatures. We had a very good guide called Kuba who spoke English and he took us for a tour  of the reserve. We saw many Komodos of various sizes from large, aggressive looking males to one year old babies and all in between. We also saw a water buffalo but none of the wild pigs and horses that also inhabit the island. We then went on to Gili Lawa Laut on the north side of Komodo Island. This was a spectacular bay with crystal clear water to twenty meters plus. We spent a few days on the beach and diving on the many superb reefs surrounding the bay. The Admiral has become quite brave with her snorkeling and even did a drift dive through one of the passes. We saw lots of fish and coral while sliding along with the current at about four knots. We would have stayed longer in this idyllic  spot but a big swell came up from the north which made for an uncomfortable roll so we left for the island of Gili Banta where we spent the night on comfort and shelter. On the following day, we again went westward to the island of Lombok, which has volcanoes, resorts and other attractions. We covered the 180 miles overnight with quite a lot of breeze and stopped for the night in the NE corner of Lombok at a place called Gila Lawang. A bit tricky to get into but very quiet behind the reef once in. We left this morning in 15 knots of breeze looking for a nice sail to the west side of Lombok but the wind has died and we are motoring slowly against the tide. Oh well, it's all good in paradise! Photos soon once we get to Lombok.

Labuan Badjo, Flores, Indonesia

We are now anchored out side the eco resort at the town of Labuan Badjo. We arrived a few days ago after leaving Mausambi via the anchorages at Incha Village, Monkey Beach (where there where no monkeys) and the idyllic Gili Bodo (where there were monkeys).
This is quite a busy place with many tourist outfits selling trips to local dive sites and to see the famous Komodo dragons. There is also a thriving boat boy industry who will supply diesel fuel, beer and souvenirs at various rates, they also serve a boat taxis to take you into the dusty town of Labuan Bajo itself.
There are restaurants here!  With menus and fare other than nasi goreng. Going ashore, however, at low tide is a little difficult as pulling the dinghy though 100 metres of ankle deep, soft mud can ruin your appetite.
It was worth the effort and we had a very nice dinner washed down with many Bintangs at the Atlantis on the day of our arrival.
They also had wifi internet which seeks to be working a little better than the very slow 3G that we have been used to, hence the updated photos.
We will leave today for Rincha and Komodo Islands to see the local fauna.

Photos from the island of Flores, Indonesia

The caldera of the volcano Api spewing steam and sulphur as viewed from the island of Adunara

Thedays catch drying in the sun on top of grandma (Lembata)

Kids playing in Lembata. Fish net floats made out of recycled flip-flops

Enjoying popcorn made in an ancient ketle

A whaling boat in the village of Lamalera. Note bamboo harpoons in the bow.

Whale blubber hanging upto dry in Lamalera

Village of Lamalera, the whaling boats ashore in theier sheds waiting for a whale sighting before they are launched into the surf by hand

Launching a whale boat. Harpoon man in the bow. Sometimes the whales win.

launching the whale boat

Tracy, David and Marion from Kilkea II, our guide and us in Lamalera

The lagoon, Adunara Island

Adunara Island with Api in the background

A cashew nut tree. A single nut grow from the red fruit that tastes a bit like an apple

The admiral with the village elders in Mausambi

The Admiral and the village chief, Mausambi

Paddy fields in the early morning on our way up to the craters of Kelimutu

The black pool at Kelimutu

The two other pools at Kelimutu. They change color over the years due to mineral deposits. Each pool represents a crater filled with water.

Lady working in the paddy fields

Market Day

Drinks on the  afterdeck on Callisto on August 22

David delivering ice for Margaritas from Kilkea II

Sunset Inca Village, Flores Island

Monkey paw prints in the sand on the tiny islet of Gili Bodo

Sunset Labuan Badjo

Alor Photos

Town of Alor note red Bemo(local bus) and open sewers

Local produce, open bag is tamarind

back to the boat Tracy is carrying a case of local beer Bintang

Alor local market

Alor coastguard, slight problem with hole in the hull

Alor, greeting committee

traditional dancers, Alor

traditional village called Takpala near Alor

interior of building in traditional village

in

Moko drum made of bronze

Takpala village

village of Balaurin

village of Balaurin

lady with chicken,village of Balaurin, note that you too can have dentition like this if you chew betel nut

Kupang Orphanage and passage to Alor



Bligh's Creek in Kupang. This is where Captain Bligh came ashore after his 1400 mile journey after being put in a longboat after the mutiny on HMS Bounty



Boys at the orphanage in Kupang

housing at the orphange




 

girls at the orphanage

active volcano on the way to Alor

pod of dolphins jumping on the way to Alor

 The address of the orphanage in Kupang is

c/o Alfred Oematan

Timor Raya St. Km. 14,

Rt /RW.003/001 Noelbaki Village

District  Central Kupang

District Kupang 85361

province of  East Nusa Tenggara

Indonesia

Any care packages would be welcomed

children aged from infant to 18 yrs

three children per mattress, so six per bunk. There were eight bunks per room for a total of forty eight kids in a room