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08:26.65 118:42.81
Monday 20th September
BIMA Town, Sumbawa
Island
The
narrow channel leading, seen here on the far RHS into the huge bay where the
town of Bima is situated offered us great shelter, like being on a huge
lake. The idea was to restock on essential fruit and vegetables before
continuing our 4 day trip to Bali. We had not been to the market for a week,
and were very low on fresh food. Fortunately, we still have enough frozen
meat and dried goods to last us for another two weeks.
It
has just stopped raining as we arrived, and the town looked very different
with its huge mosque, and red tiled roofs. I did spot a couple of churches
within the long span of the town set before us, so feel it is still not a
totally Muslim part of Indonesia yet.
The
whart looked incredibly busy, with cargo ships and ferries in every available
space. We anchored where our friends on Troubadour had suggested, only to be
confronted by a boat load of Indonesians telling us to go to the wharf! No
way were we going to do that!
I
am sure they meant well. The guy in this photo in the middle spoke
reasonable English, and told us that he had helped the Indonesian Rally when
they called in here two years ago. However, we did not need their help on
this occasion, as we already had fuel and needed no laundry or fuel!
Regardless, the guy on the right met us next morning, and told us where to
park our dinghy on the wharf for him to keep an eye on, and organised a pony
and trap to take us into town.
What
fun! We were glad of the ride, although walking would have been better
exercise!
I
felt as if we were in China or even Cuba with these horse and traps
everywhere, even the houses looked Chinese
There
is obviously clay on this island of Sumbawa
This
guy followed immediately behind our trap, I could touch the poney’s
nose he came so close!
Plenty
of shops selling dried goods, but Ollie found that there is nothing typically
Indonesian, only all kinds of sweet biscuits, crackers, sweet drinks and the
usual rice, flour and plenty of palm oil, sugar and toiletries.
David
looked for an internet cafe whilst Ollie and I went to market. Here the
Muslim lady is selling galangal, ginger and home made pots with flowers.
This
lady has talcum plastered over her face which protects it from the sun
This
lady selling bean sprouts also wanted her photo taken. Notice she’s
not got her head covered, so must be a Christian
The
meat market was inside that building just behind these ladies cutting up
their chickens. I did not go in there, but presumed they had plenty of Water
Buffalo, goat and pig being sold in there.
Here
we are on the dock, where a load of floor mats have been delivered.
David
had no luck getting onto our Yahoo or Sailamail site, but Ollie did get
Facebook. Never mind, we have access with our i-phone, just cannot send
these onto our website with it.
Our
dinghy had been well jammed in by other boats by the time we got back. Never
mind, we managed to squeeze through a gap made by pushing the other boats
along a bit!
We
upped anchor and left by 11.30 a.m., and motored along the coast a little
bit, in a stiff N.E. breeze to our next overnight stop called Kilo.
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