To Wanci
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 6 Aug 2016 22:57
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To Wanci
 Namrole lived up to its name by being
Nam-roll-eeeeeeee. Never so pleased to wave an anchorage
‘goodbye’, leaving the rolling behind at 06:30 for the two hundred and
ten mile journey to Wanci.
 The early morning
ferry approaching as Bear hoists the main.
   A few
chums but too far away to take pictures, the skipper
enjoys the afternoon sunshine, such a pleasant change after all the rain
we have had. An easy course with no lumpy bits in the
way and depths to nine thousand metres.
 Without so much as a preamble there
was an almighty clatter on deck and our loudhailer was in
many pieces.......Mmmm.
 Sunset
stopped our tri-ominoes – I did manage to sneak a few games back but still ten
behind. Yeeha. Huh.
  Land ahoy.
Beez romped along all night averaging over seven knots. We had
though to be in at around 18:00 but it now looks to be around three-ish. Our
final bend.
 A
lighthouse standing proud on the hillside.
 A
local boat spun on the spot in his enthusiasm
to greet us.
 Wakatobi
is an acronym for the islands of Wangi Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomea and Binongko. The
city of Wanci is the regency’s capital. Wangi Wangi is one of the four main
islands of the Tukangbesi archipelago and the Wakatobi Marine National Park (the
third largest in Indonesia). We have high hopes for some lovely snorkelling
here, hence the need to leave Namrole as we only have three days here before we
have to push on to Lowoleba or Lewoleba – everything here can have many
spellings....... How is our Indonesian coming along, I hear you ask. We can
manage Thank You in Bahasa – Terima Kasih. Bank is thoughtfully Bank. Our
favourite is dentist – Dokter gigi, and doctor is Dokter. Car is mobil and the
rest is just too difficult.
  Bear on our final
approach. Without being asked Gino (the pilot
and go-to man for just about everything) appeared over the back steps. His
enthusiasm was infectious but his grasp of right and left was a little worrying.
Our two waypoints were spot on and we worked as a team...... Beez wheel firmly
in my hands......
 The port side
marker was a definite ‘one careful owner’.
  Heading toward the
barge, Gino asked me to keep it snug to my right. Depths no less than
four metres below.
 The locals are making so much effort to make a harbour here.
 Snug to the
barge as requested.
 Apparently, over the other side of
the new retaining wall there is some good
snorkelling. Out with the viewing bucket on the morrow methinks. Little spinner
dolphins sleep here and can be seen at six in the morning. Mmmm, maybe we’ll
give it a try as we would love to see them, they like it here as the sharks stay
away and they feel safe.
 Our passage
in looks rather amusing.
  Once in a local
boat makes her way through the handful of rally
boats already here.
 Gino wanted me to head behind Kings Legend (far right) but it was nine metres
deep, I settled beside Paw Paw in four.
 Our first visitor
of the day “Mister, Mister”.
   Views around the
bay.
  Sunset promised to be a
pretty one.
 Kings
Legend looking rather lovely in the pinks.
  Antares
and Gostoza Tu before the oranges gave way to the returning pinks.
ALL IN ALL A WONDERFUL
JOURNEY
A GREAT
SAIL |