Bentanan, North Sulawesi

Sea Topaz
Duncan Briggs
Fri 21 Sep 2012 11:48
00.59.809 N 124.53.840 E
 
After battling against wind and waves all day yesterday and arriving after dark, we decided to have a day off today and stay put.  It is a bit nerve wrecking (for me anyway) to arrive somewhere new at night, but it was a nice surprise to see what a beautiful bay we have anchored in.
 When we left yesterday we had not really worked out tides and currents. We had a strong current against us going through the channel between Bitung and Pulau Lembeh, so we decided to go outside the island, hoping that the current would change. It did not and we made very slow progress resulting in an after dark arrival. We planned to anchor in a big open bay without reefs and a reasonable depth; so the skipper decided we would go for it. It all worked out well and we have enjoyed a quiet day here. We had a few visitors; fishermen in their dugout canoes, who we handed gags of goodies with clothes, books, things for children etc. These were gratefully received and we were offered fish in return. So we had a nice meal with skip jack tuna.
On again tomorrow, an early start and brave the wind and waves again.
 
       
 
    Ship building in Sulawesi                                                                    Some of our visitors