Yacht Tientos: Darwin Dili Yacht Rally

'Adventure is worthwhile' - Aesop

2012 was a time for us to return to SE Asia, and we decided to include the Darwin Dili Yacht Rally this time; two for the price of one, literally. This race/rally is an annual Darwin event leaving early July, which meant we could then sail down the north coast of Timor and join Sail Indonesia in Kupang.
We nearly didn't leave at all, as the lock at Tipperary Waters Marina broke down, leaving us trapped for a couple of days. But this gave us time to have the liferaft serviced, install a new radar, anti-foul in the lock and sell the car.

Keith ready for anti-fouling

Sue and Lea supervising the action

Tientos in the lock anti-fouling complete

We also had to load a tonne of supplies for VEGA, which meant removing the saloon table.

VEGA is an 85 foot traditional cargo vessel built in 1893. Shane and his wife Meggie embarked on a humanitarian career delivering donated medical and educational supplies to isolated communities in Timor-Leste and Indonesia. Each year the Sail Timor-Leste participants carry the cargo to meet VEGA in Dili.


Tientos one of the first yachts at Fannie Bay

Before the cargo was loaded aboard each yacht we had lots of time for yachtie get togethers, anchored in Fannie Bay.

Dinner aboard Tientos

Clare makes the best Curry

This year we were also asked to carry 50kg of filo pastry for the Kebab Club; the only maker of baklava in Dili! What!? Our freezer is not that big...no worries...it will be fine on the floor for the few days...okay. Lea did not mention this cargo in her ABC Interview... We also took Alexis to join VEGA as crew in Dili. Our humanitarian efforts for 2012 are seriously huge!
On Saturday 14th, with Lea as Skipper, Tientos crossed the start line bound for Timor-Leste! (in flat seas with little wind - hardly a great race start!) Oh, that's right, we are actually in cruising division, not racing!

Tientos Dressed to Kill - photo by Nefertiti I

Our 435nm run to Dili was to be anything but dull or consistent. No wind, 20 knots on the nose from the NW, 40 knot storm cells, wind from behind, swell and adverse tidal currents.