07:51.188S 125:49.63E

Wetar’s Western Anchorage

Wednesday 8^th September, 2010

Captain’s Log: Wednesday 8th September - Wetar

Today we are motoring along the northern coast of Wetar.  It has to be one of the most beautiful islands that we have seen in our travels the scenery is outstanding equal to anything we have seen either in French Polynesia  or the Caribbean.  The Island is just a mass of jagged peaks rising to around 5,000 feet all clothed in lush vegetation in every hue of sparkling sun-lit green.  One occasionally glimpses a flash of red oxide or grey granite rock peaking through.  Dark green valleys that have been carved out by thousands of years of rain fall, march down to the water's edge in every direction.  Over the top of everything is thrown a canopy of fluffy white clouds and a beautiful sweet smell wafting from the land.  Eden maybe?

The coastline of this long mountainous island is spectacular

Calm seas all along the coast now, motoring required

If this is a start of what we are going to see we are in for a real treat.  I would urge any other sailor passing this way to try and take this route even if you do not stop it's a sight not to be missed.

1230 passed a pair of large green turtles within 4 feet of the boat. Not sure who was more surprised us or them? 13.30 afternoon drizzle off the island, then very heavy rain for about 20 minutes, as seen in this rain shower.

1430 Anchored in 7 metres of water in a bay with a few local huts. Ollie dived under the boat to clean the growth off the forward looking echosounder.

Saw loads of sand eels, with their heads craning out of the water gathering the food floating past.  Nothing but sand beneath us, absolutely no coral.

Position 07:51'.192s 124:49'.638e

Distance run: 46 miles average speed 6.1 knots

The local reed gatherer came out with his daughter in his boat to say hello, but then went away to take the reeds to the main village.  We saw water buffalo and goats running along the beach, plenty of grass just behind for them to graze on.

The local village had boat building also, and plenty of copra for drying here

I tried to use our Indonesian dictionary to ask this man if they had any fruit I could buy.  He understood sort of, and sent one of his men up the tree to cut some drinking nuts down for us

The reeds were being cut from along the river’s edge, and bundled up for sale to other people coming in by boat for their house roof thatching.

We could not have wished for a calmer anchorage!