Wodong to Semarang Sept 2015
\We finally left Wodong after having obtained our visas etc. Unfortunately they back date them to expiry so in effect we only get a 3 week visa by the time you are granted them. So off again, a few hours sail to Palau Vesar, an island north of Wodong. Stayed one night and then decided to do a 3 night sail to Kangean. This was a stop on the way to our destination in Semerang, East Java. Had good winds most of the way and anchored in a wide open bay, fairy uncomfortable anchorage. A trading boat from Timor was moored next to us giving us anchoring directions and no sooner had we set the pick then 3 of the guys donned life jackets, jumped in the water and swam over to MS.
They were hilarious. First of all I thought maybe they had mutinied as they had swum over to us so quickly after we had arrived. Morg jumped in as soon as they reached MS. But no, they just wanted a chat and like we have found all along Indonesia, people are inquisitive about you and your boat and love the chance to have a chat and a gander. We stayed on the boat here for 2 days and didnt even venture ashore as too lumpy. Also a good chance to catch up on some sleep.
A wee barge in anchorage at Bawean
Bawean was our next destination, an overnight sail, great winds, right from behind however so were poled out all the way. lots of traffic at night, ships, tugs with barges in tow, local fishing boats, squid jiggers-you had to be on your toes, especially as most local boats (even the scary tows) dont display regulation navigation lights, however they do have lovely colorful flashing torches which we soon learned to identify. We arrived in Bawean at lunchtime to an anchorage taken up with huge barges and their tugs probably sheltering from the strong winds. A bit dodgy trying to find a good spot clear of bombies (big coral heads) and a 500 tonnes of swinging steel. I went to shore and had a little recce. It was obvious Bawean was a wealthier island then what we had been used to. Gone were the wooden huts, replaced by more substantial homes, a reflection of its proximity to Jakarta where most of Indonesias wealth is. Sumbawa and Flores were fairly subsistant lifestyles where now you could once again see the impact of tourism and trade in these wealthier regions.
Beautiful colourful fishing boats entering Semarang
Welcome to the city, power station just before entrance to Semarang
This was our last stop before heading for the port in Semerang where we would spend a few weeks with Kim, Ratna and Dan and Warren would fly home for 10 days.