SINGARAJA BALI INDONESIA

SINGARAJA

BALI

INDONESIA

Singaraja, in Buleleng Regency of Northern Bali, is the ancient capital of Bali. No wonder it is full of history dating back to Royalty of the 1600s. In spite of the Dutch invasion between 1846 and 1849, killing of most of the Royal Family and almost total distraction of the palace, the restored Puri can now be visited.

Singaraja is also a port and a nearby Lovina, some 10 kilometers away, is a beach resort. Lovina is also a good anchorage and a venue for Sail Indonesia. The entertainment welcoming sailors from around the world is unlimited. Lovina has many restaurants and bars, clear water and excellent reefs that are good to snorkel on and which also act as protection from the ocean swell for the yachts on anchor.

Balinese dances are an art, story telling and explosion of color and costumes. They are accompanied by music heard most evenings around Bali.

Both, Singaraja and Lovina are a well appreciated change from crowded, touristy South. Definitely worth visiting.

  

SURABAYA I N D ON E S I A

SURABAYA

JAVA & PULAU MADURA CONNECTION

SURAMADU BRIDGE

I N D ON E S I A

Surabaya, second after Jakarta biggest city in Indonesia, is industrial and a busy port. But there are remnants of Dutch history and architecture, especially in the old town which blends in with a modern city. The new addition is a bridge connecting Surabaya and East Java to the island of Madura, Suramadu Bridge.

Sailing under any bridge always makes one wonder, till the last minute, will we

clear and fit under. Well, we did fit, with a few meter clearance but rough seas left us with nowhere to go before nightfall, so we have returned to an anchorage and sailed under the bridge yet again, just on sunset.

We slept “under the bridge” and were rewarded with a great view of full moon rising. Third time lucky, we sailed under the bridge yet again just before sunrise with the bridge lighted and moon setting. This route, a short-cut on a passage to Bali, is shorter by some 80 nautical miles.

Instead of sailing along the northern coast of Madura, one can get a glimpse of East Java, peaks of volcanos showing through the haze of smoke so typical to this part of the world.

Sailing under the bridge is a pioneer achievement, leaving Surabaya with its many monuments and specific charm, sad but arriving at a new destination joy.

JAVA INDONESIA

JAVA

INDONESIA

Java is not the biggest island of Indonesia. However, it is the most populated and a home to the capital, Jakarta. It is also home to Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Indonesia. Yogyakarta's Borobbudur is a Buddhist monument dating back to 750 AD.

Java has Sumatra as its north-western neighbor across the Sunda Strait and the islands of Madura and Bail at its eastern tip. There is also a number of National Parks on the eastern side of Java and Mt Bromo volcano.

The change of scenery while sailing towards Java is noticeable and the sea traffic increases. There is industry along Java's coast and considerable shipping traffic. There is also a great number of fishing vessels, nets and flags denoting fishing pots. 

At times, sailing between fishing boats and nets is a difficult task and requires a change of course frequently. One wonders if there is any fish left in the Java Sea with the amount of fishing happening here day and night. Yes, the night sailing is another story. It is rather dangerous since many boats have no lights.

Fishing nets could be high and dry or submerged, then only sticks are visible. After many hazards of night sailing a sunrise is welcome.

Spectacular sunrises compensate the difficulties of night sailing.

KARIMUNJAWA ISLANDS INDONESIA

KARIMUNJAWA ISLANDS

INDONESIA

Karimunjawa Islands are located in the middle of Java Sea between Java Island and Kalimantan, Borneo. Well, maybe not right in the middle, about 70 sea miles away from Java and some 170 from Borneo. Those are actually two islands, Karimunjawa and Kemujan, connected by bridge.

While main transport on the islands is a bike, one would not notice being on Kemujan island after driving across the bridge.

The Islands are unique, the waters around them crystal clear and the multitude of reefs colorful with plenty of fish. It sure is a paradise for snorkeling and diving. There are a number of other islands on extensive reefs around Karimunjawa and Kemujan.

Local boats ferry the visitors on discovery trips to snorkel and dive. The closest are Menjangan Besar and Kecil, more distant Pulau Bengkoang, Cemara Besar and Kecil and many more.

The local population is friendly and fast adopting to visitors from all over the world. The fishing boats are of their special design, typical for Karimunjawa.

The sunsets are spectacular and seem to last forever after the sun goes down.

Karimunjawa Islands found their place on the world map and are fast becoming a destination to visit.

PULAU BANGKA INDONESIA

PULAU BANGKA

INDONESIA

Sailing along Bangka Island requires time. There are two routes. The eastern side of Bangka or the inside route, that is between Sumatra and Bangka. The decision needs to be made as to which route to take at the northern part of Bangka. The landscape is charming, long golden beaches lined up with palms, distant mountains. The sea is turquoise, the water clear. The outer passage is recommended if one wants to continue enjoying this scenery. It is a hundred nautical miles to sail to Tanjung Berikat at the southern end of Bangka.

The inner passage is longer, water not so clear and the weather could be stormy.

The 100 sea miles of the outer passage can be broken into comfortable day sailing between anchorages. One of those anchorages is Palau Panjang with extensive reef and excellent protection from swell in spite of the island itself being just a line on the horizon.

Another anchorage is just between reefs, very comfortable at low tide and with some swell breaking over the reef at high water. It is Karang Perlang only 25 miles away from the southern part of Pulau Bangka, Tanjung Berikat. The Cape itself is scenic and pleasure to sail by.

It was sad to leave Pulau Bangka behind although a sense of new adventure compensated for the departure.

PULAU PEKACANG INDONESIA

PULAU PEKACANG

INDONESIA

Some 50 nautical miles east of Sumatra and 240 west of Borneo, virtually in the middle of nowhere, there is a group of islands called Kepulauan Tuju, an archipelago. About seven islands have names, one is not charted and possibly a few small ones are not honored with a name either. A lucky one that has a name is Pulau Pekacang. From a distance it just looks like another scenic island of Indonesia. At a close glance it shows amazing beauty of its landscapes and coastline.

Another small island emerges at a closer look, that one is not charted. And further afield yet another island, Pulau Cebia, some 3 nautical miles from Pekacang. Pulau Cebia has a few houses, a small village where squid fishermen live.

Pulau Pekacang is uninhabited, rocky terrain is dramatic and scenic, joy to observe.

The single islands are obviously uninhabited and access to reach them is limited. The reefs and rocks extend from their coastline.

Never the less they are pleasing pictures to look at even though stepping on them is not easy. A bit of look not touch situation which protects the wild life. Cruising these parts of Indonesia is a real pleasure and absolute adventure.

CROSSING THE EQUATOR INDONESIA

CROSSING THE EQUATOR

INDONESIA

There is no indication, across the sea, as to where the Equator line actually crosses. One minute you are in the Northern Hemisphere and the next in the Southern. OK, so it is opposite to some 9 years ago when we crossed from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern. Back then we were day hopping and towing the dinghy behind so it was handy to get to the beach to celebrate Crossing of the Equator for the first time by boat.

Now we are on a passage and sailing against the wind so celebrations are on deck rather than on a beach.

The nine years of cruising the region has been a fabulous experience. It was exploring of different cultures and cuisines, meeting kind and genuinely friendly people, learning some of the languages to help communication.

They were years of learning about nature, wildlife and marine life. Years of fun, beach walking, swimming and snorkeling.

They were years of meeting other sailors, people that understand all the reasons for cruising and think alike.

Crossing of the Equator line does not put an end to our amazing lifestyle. It is just going to continue on the other side of the Equator.