Back on the edge of the Ocean
Fleck
Sat 12 May 2012 08:32
|
Saturday, May 12th 2012
Position 06:44S 105:15E,
Anchored in the lee of P. Peucang, again!
Overnight through the Sunda Strait interresting as
before. This time managed to carry a favourable tide/current for the entire
trip: 15.5 hours. So tired at about 3am that it was all I could do to set the
kitchen timer, but managed it, and no scrapes/even near misses. Much rougher
trip than last time with a steep chop in the narrow, first part of the Strait,
where there is most current, and also most shoreside activity. I was alittle
surprised to find my way obstructed by a blazing cargo vessel, I thought
that I must be dreaming, but pinched myself, and it was still there: and
indeed, as I got closer two firefighting ships in attendance confirmed the
unusual scene. There were other big ships anchored quite close by, but no sign
of panic or excitement: as though these things catch fire every day. I believe
that the real blaze must have taken place earlier, and that they were just
guarding the dying embers. I wonder if it has sunk? The night stayed clear,
despite some earlier thunder activity, and now I am down here in the trade wind
airstream, I am keeping my fingers crossed that we have seen the last severe
thunderstorms for a little while.
After all the shipping, lights and tide races in
the narrows, the second half of the trip was more straightforward, and dawn
found us quite close to Krakatoa, dormant at present, and not a patch on
Vesuvius, a recent holiday destination. This anchorage is really next to the
open Ocean, and we are off tomorrow morning. The water is blue and clear, and I
can see the anchor well dug in. Although the chain is noisy boucing over small
rocks I can live with that for a night, and is nice to think that I
won't have to spend 20 mins tomorrow morning sponging Indonesian mud off the
anchor! It does not smell like the awfull stuff in Cartagena, but it sure is
sticky.
So, we are wishing ourselves a bon voyage to Cocos
Keeling!
|