Oct 2 2017 – Sailing to Belitung. AIS transponders are required by Indonesia of all cruising sailboats, but by int’l maritime law, they cannot require it of us. Some cruisers only have receivers. No penalties are imposed. Ironically most Indonesian commercial fishing, freighter, ferries, cargo, tugs & barges do not transmit their location over AIS, something that is required by int’l maritime law. They are invisible to our receivers, a fact that keeps our watches more vigilant. Fortunately they carry the proper lights and are visible to radar.
Oct 9 2017 – Had another spectacular & generous visit, this time on Belitung island. 2 day tours: first day driving West, the other East. Busses, guides, catered meals, shows, cultural expositions, dance, Chinese lions show, museums, religious centers and temples, unique geological features, local specialty coffee cafes w/ amazing singer & interesting introductions to unusual animal life. Best of all: the local people.
‘We Kandu’ participates in the events when possible.
We are treated like superstars: press coverage & interviews, honored guests, front row seats, personal guides & interpreters, and always the screaming school girls seeking B&T’s photos & contact info on Instagram.
The anchorage is extraordinarily beautiful, with gorgeous rock formations that the boys enjoyed jumping off and filming.
Leslie kept receiving compliments on her Polynesian palm frond hat that she made in the Marquesas, so gave two classes on how to make them to the locals. The tour bureau even published an article on their site about it.
We leave Belitung today w/Nick who arrived here yesterday. Ketawai is our next stop: 3 days on an isolated island with all meals provided as well as a shuttle boat over to tour the neighboring large island, bordering Sumatra. After that will be Bintan, then Malaysia.
Really nice post. What fancy costume. Making me crazy not being there.
What is delorme ?
Have fun mates.
Dear Rigneys, What a wonderful set of photographs! That
tarsius has got the EYES!
The scenery near your anchorage has got to be right up there among the most beautiful -thanks for those photos, too.
Love from betsyandgary, who are still waiting for the RAIN.
We just loved our time in Belitung. It was idyllically beautiful as you saw in the photos. The boys truly enjoyed every moment of their time there because there were so many young people all around to interact with. Also – Nick joined us – the best treat ever! My mother reported that you’re getting some rain now…hopefully not too much. Don’t want landslides! Big hugs, Leslie
Delorme is a company that supported our InReach satellite texting. The company was recently sold to Garmin. We didn’t want to afford a satellite phone – the monthly fee is set and we can send and receive as many satellite texts as we wish while we’re sailing the ocean blue. We use it for weather updates and communicating with my folks and Eric’s Uncle – progress reports. We are having good times for sure! L
Thanks Uncle Bill – I worked hard editing and choosing the photos and getting the formatting just right. Yes – we miss you terribly. Eric is keeping it together, but we had another small setback today with the fuel pump…leaking in another place. The mechanic came and it is now fixed…but everything had to be torn apart again to access the pump. Sigh! If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Our plan is now to leave tomorrow morning. We checked out with customs and immigration today – only 1.5 hours…darned good timing – very fast. Our super duper do everything/get everything/drive anywhere marina man, Nazar, made it happen for us in short time. He has been so so helpful and wonderful to us. Sending you our love, Leslie