West Wetar

www.kanaloa55.com
David & Valerie Dobson
Wed 8 Sep 2010 08:41

07:51.188S 125:49.63E

Wetar’s Western Anchorage

Wednesday 8th September, 2010

Captain’s Log: Wednesday 8th September - Wetar

 

Today we are motoring along the northern coast of Wetar.  It has to be one of the most beautiful islands that we have seen in our travels the scenery is outstanding equal to anything we have seen either in French Polynesia  or the Caribbean.  The Island is just a mass of jagged peaks rising to around 5,000 feet all clothed in lush vegetation in every hue of sparkling sun-lit green.  One occasionally glimpses a flash of red oxide or grey granite rock peaking through.  Dark green valleys that have been carved out by thousands of years of rain fall, march down to the water's edge in every direction.  Over the top of everything is thrown a canopy of fluffy white clouds and a beautiful sweet smell wafting from the land.  Eden maybe?

 

DSC02854 sunrise.jpg

 

DSC02855 Wetar coastline.jpg

The coastline of this long mountainous island is spectacular

DSC02858 calm seas.jpg

Calm seas all along the coast now, motoring required

DSC02861 mountainous interior.jpg

If this is a start of what we are going to see we are in for a real treat.  I would urge any other sailor passing this way to try and take this route even if you do not stop it's a sight not to be missed.

DSC02873 rain shower.jpg

 

1230 passed a pair of large green turtles within 4 feet of the boat. Not sure who was more surprised us or them? 13.30 afternoon drizzle off the island, then very heavy rain for about 20 minutes, as seen in this rain shower.

DSC02876 2nd Wetar anchorage.jpg

 

1430 Anchored in 7 metres of water in a bay with a few local huts. Ollie dived under the boat to clean the growth off the forward looking echosounder.

Saw loads of sand eels, with their heads craning out of the water gathering the food floating past.  Nothing but sand beneath us, absolutely no coral.

 

Position 07:51'.192s 124:49'.638e

Distance run: 46 miles average speed 6.1 knots

 

DSC02877 Reed gathering.jpg

The local reed gatherer came out with his daughter in his boat to say hello, but then went away to take the reeds to the main village.  We saw water buffalo and goats running along the beach, plenty of grass just behind for them to graze on.

DSC02878.JPG

DSC02879 village.jpg

The local village had boat building also, and plenty of copra for drying here

DSC02883 Village family.jpg

I tried to use our Indonesian dictionary to ask this man if they had any fruit I could buy.  He understood sort of, and sent one of his men up the tree to cut some drinking nuts down for us

DSC02889 climbing for coconuts.jpg

 

DSC02894 reed refuge.jpg

The reeds were being cut from along the river’s edge, and bundled up for sale to other people coming in by boat for their house roof thatching.

DSC02895 kanaloa's anchorage.jpg

We could not have wished for a calmer anchorage!