To Lintea Atoll

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 13 Aug 2016 22:57
To Lintea Atoll
 
 
 
IMG_2009  IMG_2010  IMG_2011
 
Heath Robinson was consulted and I now have a functioning tap once more. One more look at our Hoga Island anchorage and off we went at eight thirty behind Wirraway with Wishful Thinking following up. Our happy band set off in to wind on the nose so the engines needed to help each of us. I kept my eye on a fish attracting device (FAD) – a huge block of polystyrene connected buy a floating line to a wooden raft complete with tiny mast and palm sail, these vessels seem to be everywhere. We were at a critical stage in a game of backgammon, I was leading four one when Bear made a near Fowey comeback to four all. I was determined not to lose and knew the FAD was someway off to our right and the wind would blow it well beyond us. Next thing I know it’s behind Bear’s head. The polystyrene block on Beez left, the craft whisking along with us. I was so surprised I forgot to take a picture. Immediately disengaged and on the radio to admit one all with Wishful Thinking........ I did however sneak a five four win. The rest of the journey we played Tri-ominoes with no further incident.
 
 
IMG_2055
 
Our thirty four mile journey will take us within the Coral Triangle.
 
 
IMG_2015
 
Wirraway ahead and a local tour boat.
 
 
 IMG_2020
 
Miles out to sea a longboat passes by.
 
 
IMG_2022
 
Very faint on the horizon, right of picture we could just make out three ‘buildings’.
 
 
IMG_2025
 
Way over to our right we could see Serica and Brahminy Too anchored in what looks like the middle of the ocean. They are in Karang Kaledupa Atoll, our destination on the morrow. Again, we could see a building each side.
 
 
IMG_2027
 
Wirraway line up at the pass.
 
 
IMG_2033
 
We line up as a local exits the pass.
 
 
IMG_2034
 
Perhaps the most ‘extreme village’ we have yet seen.
 
 
IMG_2036
 
Meanwhile, Wirraway have taken their first right and now seen turning left.
 
 
IMG_2039
 
A noble look, a man at peace in his world.
 
 
IMG_2038
 
Skipper enjoying himself enormously.
 
 
IMG_2040
 
We take our first right at an even more isolated dwelling. Perhaps they fell out with the first two......
 
 
IMG_2041
 
At the ‘gateway’ coral as far as the eye can see each side.
 
 
IMG_2042
 
Wirraway on their final left turn...........
 
 
IMG_2047
 
............and on their final right. Wishful Thinking radioed to say they had anchored on the inner reef edge in eight metres of water. Nicha seen to their right.
 
 
IMG_2053  IMG_2051
 
An incredible anchorage seen on my chartplotter and Bear’s Google Earth.
 
 
IMG_2057
 
We went for a long spuddle as far as we could before we came to solid reef.
 
 
IMG_2060
 
Heading back toward Beez we stopped at patches a couple of metres below the surface, this one marked by a stick. I looked down through my viewing bucket at each coral patch and saw healthy brain, hard and stag horns. No bright colours and not many fish.
 
 
IMG_2058
 
Looking back to the line of anchored boats, from left to right – Nicha, Wirraway, Wishful Thinking, Beez Neez and Rock and Roll Star. A happy bunch.
 
 
IMG_2056
 
A local out and about fishing in a traditional hat.
 
 
IMG_2065  IMG_2066
 
We were bouncing in the dinghy and Beez was rolling a little but clear enough to see were dirty marks, a bit of foliage and a crab holding tight. Tomorrow looks like an outdoor spring clean then.
 
 
 IMG_2062
 
Spuddle ended with a picture of the girl in the late afternoon sun – anchored in the middle of nowhere. We followed Wirraway over to Wishful Thinking for our first taste of delicious coral trout served with homemade chips and sweet potato. Bev (Wirraway) had made fresh coleslaw and we took tinned fruit salad and cream. A very funny game of Taboo followed. Gin (WT) experienced her first ever dyslectic attack.........beautifully describing a Greek delicacy which Bev got at lightning speed – Baklava................ however, the word she was meant to have us guess was in fact Balaclava..............
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL A UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE ATOLL 
                    BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY TO AN AMAZING ATOLL ENTRANCE