Last days in Indonesia

After one week in Labuan Bajo, treating ourselves to coffee, cake and cocktails, we continued our journey west, leaving Flores behind and heading for Sumbawa and then Lombok. Once again, we split the passage into day hops to avoid problems with unlit fishing boats and FADS (fish attraction devices).

Our first day was a gentle sail of 28nm with winds of Force 4 (11-16 knots). Six hours sailing and we dropped the anchor in Teluk Batu Monco, a deserted bay at the northern end of Komodo Island.

After a relaxing night´s sleep, we had a jump of 33nm to Teluk Labujoro on Sangang Island, off the north east coast of Sumbawa. Another good day sail with SE winds of force 4 (11-16 knots).

Moving on from Sangang, our next stop was Kilo, again in northern Sumbawa.  The good winds continued and we completed our 38nm in 8 hours.

Kilo is a very small fishing village, but it has become a popular stopping point for yachts travelling along the coast. The villagers have become used to hand outs from visitors and, before we had even dropped the anchor, the water around us was full of small wooden canoes, crowded with families asking for gifts. No one here was interested in exchanging; some were willing to sell us fruit, but most wanted something for nothing. This does not sit easy for us as it sets a precedent for future visitors here. We eventually managed to negotiate buying mangoes and tomatoes.

The next day the wind was lighter Force 3 (7-10 knots), so it was a day of motor sailing the 44nm to Kananga, Sumbawa

Our next passage was shorter – only 21nm to the island of Moyo. The winds were still light, so it was a motor sail of four hours.

We at Moyo for a couple of nights, catching up for sundowners with rally friends, diving a nearby reef and, of course, walking to another waterfall.

Time to move on again and our next passage was 51nm to Peluan on the north east of Lombok. The winds had returned to Force 4 and we were able to sail the whole way. A longer day of 11 hours, arriving at dusk. We were pleased not to be staying here long. The anchorage was very rolly and it made for an unsettled night.

Our last passage was only 35nm and we were hoping to arrive at our destination in six hours. Unfortunately, as is often the case, the weather gods turned against us at the end of the journey. 10nm miles from our destination, the wind picked up to Force 6 (22-27 knots), but also changed direction to north westerly. This meant we were trying to sail directly into wind with a higher sea state.  We ended up tacking backwards and forwards, making slow progress. Taking us an extra two and a half hours, the end was in sight for a long time.