03°43'55S 128°08'50E
Left Bandas around 10.30am for an overnight sail to Ambon. As we were going past Ai Island we heard the dreaded words: "yachts passing Ai Island we are stuck on the reef can you help"!!!!! NO!!!!! So over we go. Cilantro tried to pull their mast down and we tried to tow their stern line (25 tons of yacht). Felt we moved them a bit and held them at bay as the tide was falling then Wave Sweeper who had doubled back 5 miles to assist managed to get their mast down enough so they could get off. Didnt get on our way till around 2pm and had a good night sail (actually!!!!).
Day 103 - Tuesday 4 August - Ambon
Arrived Ambon around 1pm and had missed the lunch and welcome. We found we had to tie up to the wharf stern in!!! This was a first for most of us. They had moved out all the fishing fleet so the 70 yachts of the fleet could have the wall. We reversed in (drop the anchor two boat lengths out) but I couldn't drop the anchor so Peter made a mad dash forward and gave it a good bash. Ann and Lou off Serannity helped fend us off and Jack off Barbara Ann supervised so we were soon tied up and helping others to come in. Quite an experience. There are 70 boats tied up at the wharf all stern in.
Miles: 120 Total 3,052
Day 104 - Wednesday 5 August - Ambon
Left around 10am and went to town in a bemo (a small van with horizontal seats either side) cost is around 30 cents. The markets were the dirtiest, narrow, muddy, hot noisy. Not nice The supermarket in town was good and had everything you could need. The town and harbour very grubby. Went for lunch at one eatery and were told it was soup and there was a confusing array of stuff on the table so we cowardly retreated to another local eatery where we got a bowl with steamed things - dim sims, meat balls etc which they then promptly poured soup all over!!! Oh well. Found a bemo and retreated to the restaurant in the port precinct to recuperate. Ate at the restaurant again. We didn't do the tour but other people enjoyed it.
Day 105 - Thursday 6 August - Ambon
Another wasted day waiting round for fuel and water. There was a free festival in the afternoon but we only found out about it half an hour before and decided to have a quieter afternoon visiting the Australian War Cemetery down the road. In the evening buses collected us to go to the gala dinner. Once again we had the full police escort - vans, cars, bikes all with flashing lights and sirens stopping all traffic so we could go through. We were greeted by the King of Muluku. There were huge marquees and the seats all covered in a white fabric with gold bows. We listened to the Indonesian drums and music then went inside the building - more covered chairs and gold bows and were entertained by singers (one a close replica to Louis Armstrong), graceful lady dancers with the longest fingers which seem to bend slightly back and vibrate (amazing) and then the fishermen's dance with their nets - so good, then of course the children's band. Then a dinner of more than anyone could eat. The Minister of Fisheries was accorded a special honour by the king and dressed up in a symbolic costume. Afterwards we all joined the dignitaries and children and danced the night away. Had a police escort back. We have been so well looked after - constant police on the wharf - security is amazing. The Indonesian people are just beautiful and so welcoming.
Day 106 - Friday 7 August - Ambon ( Amahusu)
Today the fleet left to go to Bunikin. Cilantro went too which was very sad as after much soul searching we decided the distances are too great and too tiring (400 miles to Bunekin & 500 miles beating back into the wind and tide). So we decided to leave the rally for a while and make our way to Wakatobe (290 miles - huge trip but gets us back down to do the western route of day sails). We are currently anchored three miles up from the wharf with 12 other like minded boats anchored in 18 metres of water. A major problem with indonesia is finding water with depths shallow enough to anchor in. Today we chill out and tomorrow we will start the big trek to Wakatobe. Very sad to leave but now we don't "have to gotta go" and the relief is immense! And we will join up again when they all catch up!
Many thanks to all who have emailed. Really appreciate it and will get back to you as soon as we can.
Meanwhile take care - very homesick
Fair Winds
Dell and Peter
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
