Blog 57. Komodo and Banta. 11 September. 08.24.915S 119.16.701E
Alcedo
David Batten
Wed 11 Sep 2019 01:27
Windancer and Florence across Batumonco Bay, Komodo
So now in the anchorage on the north side of Pulau Banta, which would be a lovely place if the wind had not barrelled down the steep sides of the caldera, sending Alcedo sailing around her anchor and almost certain to wrap around something. The coral was the best by far, with a mass of beautiful, healthy coral heads of different colours and variety and we had an idyllic walk on the beach after a challenging landing through rock and coral. The bird song was wonderful and we saw a kingfisher, bee eaters, beach stone curlew and several unidentifiable small birds.
The beach in the centre of the calderas in Teluk Labuhanoiungke, early morning
We had planned on an early start anyway and as the wind was starting to increase again at 5.30am and Windancer was leaving, the neurotic Skipper’s wife prepared to up a anchor asap. Every non diver’s nightmare, we had a wrap with 30+ meters on the echo sounder and no chance of seeing how to best free ourselves. Lucky for us, Windancer was not only still in the bay, but came back and John dived off the anchor and freed us, incredibly efficiently. Thank you Windancer for a brilliant job and we owe you. We are now bowling along with the wind just behind the beam and Windancer to port, heading for Kilo on Sumbawa Island.
Alcedo
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