Lembata to Maumere

"The lovely thing about cruising is that planning usually turns out to be of little use". -  Dom Degnon

Following our departure from Lembata brought us to what would become one of our favourite spots at Kroko. At this time, we attempted the the southern channel and, although clear enough to see the bottom, with a 2.5m draft, we were bumping on the bottom. This bar was definitely not wooden! A fisherman coming past guided us to the right channel.  On future trips we would take the long way around.

Fish traps follow the adage location, location, location

The sandbar at low tide was to provide popular for BBQs

Stunning views

We anchored at Tg Gedung for an overnighter and respite from the windless (and relentless) swell. The following day after an 0645 departure with a reefed main we anchored at Maumere (Sea World), just in time for champagne and margaritas!

Sea World Resort

We were to become firm friends with Peter and Marlee on 'Cool Change', a 26' Vancouver, from Vancouver, and carry their beer for them. 

View with a Bintang

Maumere does not have the best holding and 'Muscat' required a rescue after dragging. 'Been-a-long' borrowed our hooker dive system to repair hull damage sustained at the non-wooden bar. "Adamant II" had their Aussie flag and the pole taken.

The Muscat rescue

Maumere was popular for crew changes, shopping and phoning home. Entrepreneurs would visit in dugouts; Jimmy was one who offered to do a 'fruit run'. Good idea - 5 bananas will be good until we get to Labuan Bajo. Mmm something missing in the translation as 5 hands were delivered!

This gorgeous child walked into the shot

The noise is endless

May all your bars be wooden and well-stocked!

Kupang to Lembata

"The sea finds out everything you did wrong." - Francis Stokes

This leg was about where equipment failed or was about to fail, or life happened! In this case OWL did not want to play anymore - spare fuse installed (internal fuse not mentioned in the manual); we found a reef in the dark - backed off carefully; and the anchor became firm friends with a bombie - 45 minutes of 'circling the wagons' had it back on board.

An overnighter through Selat Pantor brought us to Kalabahi.

Whales and dolphins are in this area

Like 'Find Wally' this wonderful house was hard to spot

This is basic sailing

Kalabahi.

Yachties at Kalabahi

Another batch of wine put down. This was done after the visit by Quarantine and the Police. It was a time of presents: a sarong from Maureen of "Giddyup" and a photo of Tientos by Pat Gannon from "Minke II".

At 26 tonnes, we cleared in as a ship

A welcome to Kalabahi

A crowded anchorage

Pat Gannon captured Tientos in the morning fog

Balarin

More Police visits and a very active volcano.

The sulphur can be hard when you are allergic

Inter-island cargo is all by sea

Given Tientos' colour, there is always lots of horns and shouting when a 'snap' moment occurs.

SNAP

Wakinga Bay

This is where the anchor wrapped around a bombie, but we did have good holding in the continual bullets of over 30knts .

Despite the bullets, this was a quiet anchorage

Heading out for another night fishing

Lembata

This was a very pretty spot giving us our first opportunity to swim astern. Great little restaurants ashore and lots of beach dancing.
Keith visited the local water filtration plant; Australian made, the water is available in 20 litre containers and perfectly potable.

Welcome to Lembata

Wonderful beach side eateries

Tientos under Lewotolo

The phinisis are a way of inter-island travel

Beach performances by the locals

May all your bars be wooden and well-stocked!