The Banda Islands

Sea Topaz
Duncan Briggs
Mon 1 Aug 2011 08:00
04.31.39 S 129.53.86 E
 
The tour organised for us on Yandema Island was fantastic, we visited a village where we saw more dancing and we were given lunch. This was cooked in the ground in banana leaves. The villagers had put so much effort into our visit; we were treated like royalty. We visited an historic site; a stone boat, which has recently been cleared as it was very overgrown.
The following day we left Saumlaki after an unsuccessful attempt at getting some diesel. We had a good sail; two nights, to Banda. We did not see much of the sun, very overcast and rain. It is the same here in Banda. We were welcomed in Banda by some of our Dutch friends. This is a delightful place, everybody wants to do something for you. There is a lot of history here (most of which does not make me feel proud to be Dutch) and the food is cheap and delicious. A lot more boats have come in today so it is getting busy.
Duncan went paddle boarding this afternoon with his new paddle bought in Australia. (He did not fall in).
We are booked to do a tour around one of the other islands tomorrow.
 
       
 
    We joined in with most of the dancing                                        This is the view from the back of the boat in Banda