Decisions decisions!
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Fri 20 Jan 2012 05:41
First decision, I need to renew my Fiji visa by the 21st Feb. If I renew it will cost F$96 and will run out on the 20th April, which is too soon to be thinking of leaving Fiji, about ten days too early. Yes, the cyclone season is over by the end of April, but cyclones don't know necessarily know that. So, by the 20th April I will either have to fly out of the country for a quick visit elsewhere, or apply for a six month extension, which is not a given, and would cost approximately F$660, total cost for the mathematically challenged, well call it F$760. Co-incidentally, that is the price of a return airfare to Auckland (New Zealand for the geographically challenged) and almost the price of a return flight to Brisbane (even the most geographically challenged MUST know...surely....think Rolf Harris, Monty Python philosopher's song etc etc). So, what to do? Oh, if I fly out before the current visa runs out, I get four months on my return, say to the end of June, ample time). True, I will spend more money than if I stay in Fiji, but the final six month extension is really only for boat owners whose boats are under repair and mine will be finished.....soon. So, throw another prawn on the barby Bruce or another slice of lamb? The advantage of going to Brisbane would it would allow me to check out anchorages/cost of moorings, buy some charts, an Aussie courtesy flag and replace the pilot book on the Queensland coast that was turned into paper mache. In the meantime, I'm applying for my multi-entry, good for twelve months Aussie visa next week, having got all the necessary paperwork.
Right, second decision. Not a really urgent one, but I'd better start thinking about it. I've had slightly negative feedback about the trip through Indonesia and on to Malaysia. Not much wind, lots of motoring REEFS!!! Then of course there's the problem of the onward route from Malaysia. The pirates may not be sorted out anytime soon, there's the real possibility of a shooting war in the Straits of Hormuz, uncomfortably close to the route I would be taking form Sri Lanka or Cochin and of course there's no saying what effect an Islamist government in Egyp might have on the Suez canal transit, not to mention what might happen if they abrogate the peace treaty with Israel. All in all, it could be several years or more before the route becomes viable again. So, go to Malaysia and sit it out? Might be two/three years, even longer. OK it's cheap there, but I've just sat in Fiji for nearly a year, and pleasant though it has been (well, sort of) I miss the freedom of up-anchoring and moving on with the seasons..
The first alternative, going from Malaysia to South Africa involves quite a bit of backtracking (against the prevailing wind) before it would be safe to turn south towards Reunion/Mauritius. That's due to pirate activity in the Indian Ocean. The second alternative would be to go from Darwin (Oz) to South Africa via the 'traditional' route, missing out SE Asia, which would be a shame, but might be sensible. Not that I'm on any sort of timetable of course, but after being stuck for a year etc etc.
If I decide to go the SA route, when do I go? I could make it this year, leaving Fiji early May, going to Brisbane (about two weeks sailing) then around the coast to Darwin, aiming to leave Darwin in September (2012). The best time according to St Jimmy (Cornell) for this route is June to October, so the timing is right.The longest leg on this route, Darwin-Christmas Isle-Cocos Keeling-Mauritius-South Africa is roughly 2400nm. All in all, that would mean Christmas 2012 in SA and my 60th birthday back in the Caribbean (May 2013), just in time for the hurricane season! (Think Grenada and all points South.....another trip to Guyana?)
Finally, depending on the actual cost of things in Oz (expensive, according to the latest info) I could spend 2012/13 in Oz, leaving Darwin September 2013.
Like I said, decisions decisions!
We have a new addition to my 'happy band of helpers', Richard the Refrigerator. Fortunately, he's optimistic about reserrecting the fridge compressor (oh, it's a Danfoss, they are usually pretty tough). Hope he's right.
The rudder tubes are on the way from Poland, the engine spares should all be ready for shipment by the end of this month and I still haven't heard from Raymarine as to when the A/P spares will be shipped. All in all, things progressing nicely, although the recent monsoon-like weather has made varnishing/painting impossible. Still, I think that we should/could be ready to launch by the beginning of March, which is fine. I don't intend to do much sailing around Fiji in the cyclone season, and of course the reefs are never 'out of season'. Definitely 'Reef Shy' me!
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