We sailed into Sorong (00:52.835S 131:15.037E) on New Years Eve day after two nights at sea. We motor sailed in mainly calm sea with slight winds but there were some squalls with dark clouds and wind gusts to keep us on our toes. Boobie birds swooping the illusive fish, water spouts spinning high into the sky, ships lit up like Christmas trees and small canoes going in front of Nalukai were the many things to keep us interested!

 

Sorong is a small city, a buzz with masses of water traffic! Ships loading huge containers, ferries transferring people to Raja Ampat and beyond, live aboard dive junks bound for the underwater wonders of the nearby marine park, tenders buzzing in and out to shore, long boats taking locals to the islands and small runabouts only made for one. New Years Eve was very exciting with fireworks going off on every corner of land, with flares, bright red whooshing high into the sky. It almost rivalled Sydney Harbour! We enjoyed take away Indonesian with Totem and Muscat and despite no sleep for a couple of nights, managed to make it to midnight. The girls were awe struck with the colour and noise of midnight and loved staying up so late with Niall, Mairen and Siobhan.

 

Victor, a local Chinese born Indonesian who has studied in Australia, was very helpful selling us fuel, showing us the sights and taking us shopping. I loved looking at the chaos of the streets, with motor bikes loaded with up to four people dodging through traffic, mini van taxis beeping at everyone and four wheel drives joining the throng. Small shops selling hardware, clothes, plastic ware, and anything you could possibly imagine line the streets, resembling sheds. Bureaucracy, getting fuel and trying to fill gas bottles seems to be very time consuming and has taken up most of the last three days. Gas was interesting, with the boys trying to syphon it through a tube. After a huge explosion they gave up and we will have to make do until we get to the Philippines in six weeks.

 

The girls have had a great time playing with the Totem children while we have been here, while the adults have gone ashore to do the jobs. They have enjoyed making a water slide on Nalukai, played horses and unicorns, done many art sessions, watched movies and learnt new games. We all went ashore today and loved noodles from a road side shop. $5.00 for the family and so delicious! The girls liked doing the shopping and looking at so many new foods and produce. Behan, Bev and I embarked on the market yesterday, with small alley ways lined with everything from clothes to fresh produce and cakes. The smell and cleanliness was sometimes a little assaulting but the colours, products, bustle and everyday lives are so exciting and interesting to watch. Big smiles and hand gestures make up for the language barrier. Behan speaks Indonesian which is a huge help as little communication is sometimes a little daunting. Something we will get better at and we are learning a few phrases to help get by.

 

We are heading to Raja Ampat tomorrow and then will island hop our way to the southern islands of the Philippines. We have a two month visa for Indonesia so need to leave the country in mid February. We are travelling with Muscat but will be sad to say goodbye to Totem and their crew in a few weeks when they head south.

If you want to access some photos of our trip try   http:/|wwwflickr.com/photos/levosaflot