Unexpected Guest by Night

We've been sailing from Bali on a direct route to Kumai in Kalimantan for about 30hrs now. Not a lot of wind so are motor assisted. Seas moderate but swell causes a lot of rolling. I've not been sea sick though. Yesterday we saw dolphins, but they didn't come right up to the boat. I was fascinated by the little flying fish they flew with their iridescent wings for up to 100 metres at a time across the surface of the water. After going to bed last night with the port-hole open above my bunk, I was rudely awaked by something wet and slimy on me UGH! - a flying fish had come right through the port-hole!
Weather is very hot and humid - about 32 C and it doesn't cool down much at night either. Catherine and I like cooling off with buckets of seawater.
The locals anchor small bamboo rafts well out to sea to attract fish they are mostly unlit and just fly a little flag - takes a lot of looking out for at night. We will sail through the coming night and expect to be in Kumai about midday the day after tomorrow in time for the rally celebrations.

practising setting my sails!

Bali kite at white sands beach

Bali travel

Snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon

After a spring tide at full moon the surf was calm enough to take a local outrigger canoe out snorkelling at a nearby reef.We saw a large variety of very colourful tropical fish around the reef. They were completely unafraid of us and swam really close. I wish I could send a photo of the canoe but my computer collapses every time I try to download from the camera chip.They are incredible little boats and great in the surf. By the time we went to come back inshore the swell had increased and our Balinese boatman was very skilled at bringing us in. Tomorrow Catherine and I drive over to Lovina Beach in the north of Bali where Eric is waiting with Erica. We sail on Monday morning directly to Kalimantan (Borneo) -  that will take us 4 days and 3 nights. Hope to get a blog posting out via e-mail during that time.

Noises in a Tropical Night

What a cacophony of sound in a tropical Bali night.
It's an interesting experience listening into the night. There are the constant sounds - the surf breaking on the stony beach and the continual singing of the cicadas. Then there's the booming sounds of the toads and the erratic chorus of water frogs. During the course of the night there are various lizards raising their surprisingly loud voices - geckos and another called a chitchat which makes a noise like a kissing sound.In the early hours of the morning the roosters begin to crow - dozens of them, to be followed at 5am. by the melodic sung prayers from the nearby Muslim centre. The dawn is then greeted by a bird chorus of various previously unheard melodies as well as the cooing of doves.

Arrived in Bali

After a tiring but uneventful flight via Singapore it was wonderful to be met in Denpasar, Bali  by my sister Catherine. After the arrival of the plane from Brisbane with sisters Esme, Helen and Madeline we were met by Marion and drove on the congested road to Marion's resort at Balina Beach by Cadidasa.Fascinating to see so many motorcycles - some with whole families on board! Marions place is a real haven - beautiful gardens and typical Balinese style buildings. Having a relaxing day in pool and with massages to get rid of the physical strains of travel .
Temps. 27°C with rain showers.

Nice breakfast spot

Marion grüßt herzlich alle die sie kennt!

Margaret leaving for Bali

Margaret got the plane to Indonesia on time.
She seems almost as excited as Jonah...

Have fun Margaret !