Pink Beach, Punya
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Sun 24 Oct 2010 00:25
|
08:36.33S 119:31.47E
Sunday 24th October
We figured out the tide times and set off
from Rinca on the 15 mile trip to an island called Punya, just off the coast of
Komodo Island. It was a relatively simple trip apart from the tide pushing us
north of our course, which had we not have been watching would have caused us to
hit land on more than one occasion. You really have to pay attention every
minute around here. We went between two islands on the trip where the tide
was ripping and we flew! 11.8 knots was the highest I think we reached! We like
it when the tide is with us but when it is against you you just have no chance
of making any progress. Fai Tira, Natibou and Bionic changed their plans and
decided to head down to where we were going, meaning that for a short while they
had to head into the current. When they should have been doing about 6 knots
they were actually doing 0.7 knots, soul destroying!
 Flying!
 Eddies and the tide
ripping!
 Beautiful islands and
Punya
The scenery here is quite
spectacular. The shape of the islands are beautiful and each one is so different
apart from the stretches of bright white sand found in every nook and cranny.
They're making a fantastic sailing ground.
 Because of the proximity to
Komodo Island we were surrounded by lots of fishing boats and boat boys. This
really was our first real taste of Indonesia as Kupang just didn't feel natural
and like the real Indonesia. This was what we wanted!
First of all we were greeted by
Gavin and Eric, two lovely men who laid out their trinkets for us to see. They
had pearls, carved necklaces, carved komodo dragons in all sizes - all sorts!
Then before long we were joined by 3 more boats and a gentleman in a dug out
canoe, things started to get a little crazy. We couldn't refuse them as their
poverty was clear to see so we tried to buy from a few of them, certainly not
buying more than one thing from one person. But unfortunately we couldn't buy
from everyone, it was heartbreaking. An interesting experience though! When you
ask how much, they tell you one price but this isn't the price you should pay,
you need to barter with them and you should never pay more than 50% of their
first offer.
 Gavin and Eric
 Another
Eric..............Pearls pearls pearls
 Surrounded by
boats.............Finally, the first to arrive are the last to
leave
 Jackamy t-shirts we offered as
payment along with the money
We had an absolutely fantastic
afternoon, diving at a sight called 'Pink Beach' with very pretty coral and a
huge moral eel. As our notes from
previous sailors stated that the pink hue of the beach was best appreciated with
obligatory sundowner in hand we thought it'd be rude not to follow their advice
so we all met up on the beach in time for yet another glorious sunset. As we
were about to head ashore Paul and Amy were studying what they thought was a
shark after a fish in the water. It became too much for them and they hopped
into the water for a closer look.........it was a 2 metre wide manta ray! It was
swimming gracefully inbetween them, close enough to touch, for over half an
hour feeding on the plankton as these waters are rich in it. They were ecstatic
when they finally climbed out of the water. What an experience!
   
 The mountains look fluffy with
their layer of grass and the shadow cast from the sun
 
 |