Riung

Actually managed to sail about half the way here, and of course today the wind has come up and we are not going anywhere! We were warned that it is more motor Indonesia than sail Indonesia, and that is certainly true. Most days it is possible to sail a bit with the land breeze in the early morning then the sea breeze in the early afternoon. In between there is usually no wind at all. Which makes for a nice calm sea but a lot of chugging. The fish tally is zero, we have been quite unable to buy chicken (except a live one, but even then not sure if it is for laying eggs or for eating!) so have had to resort to a tin of beef stew one night, bacon omelette another. Today we hope to eat out, but it is Independence Day so don't know what will be open.

We are anchored in a very pretty spot off the small town of Riung. There are several small islands around us where diving and snorkelling are supposed to be very good. One has a colony of fruit bats which flew over us yesterday evening (they eat mosquitoes which is good news). It is mainly a fishing town, and colourful wooden fishing boats are tied up along the long wooden jetty that stretches out over the mangrove shallows to deeper water. The houses closest to shore are built high on wooden stilts, and are presumably surrounded by water at high tide.

While G was changing the engine oil today I rowed over to the jetty and walked up the road to try and find some fruit and veg. The road was very quiet as most people were on the parade ground in their best clothes listening to speeches and singing various anthems and patriotic songs. The road is decorated with long flags of various colours attached to bamboo poles which sway in the breeze. Managed to find some bananas, a few tomatoes, a small cabbage, some carrots and a couple of drinking coconuts. Market day is Monday evidently (today is Wednesday).