• Guest Speaker Dinner last Friday.
• Aquacadabra S2I Update.
Many thanks to John & Jo Walker and Peter & Suzie Strain who entertained a large crowd at last Friday evening’s Guest Speaker Dinner, where they told of their cruises with Eco Abrolhos around the remote and rarely visited Houtman Abrolhos Islands off the northwestern coast of WA. Not only the site of one of the more gruesome events of early European history in Australia following the wreck of the Batavia in 1629, and subsequent treachery, mutiny, massacre and survival, but also a place of excellent snorkelling, fishing and interesting characters. All summed up in the poem below by Susie Strain
T’was the Walkers and the Strains who caught the cruising craze
Said goodbye to their beloved yachts which had served them many days.
Lured by sea-life, lobster and the grisly story of Batavia
They packed their seagull dresses and took off for Western Australia
They snorkelled, fished and swam, basked in an island paradise
Guzzled luxury and lobster, it was really very nice.
No anchors, fenders, bad bowlines, no deckie work to do
No weather watching, course setting, no yelling at the crew.
Just fun in the sun, and lobster – mornay and thermidor
Eating only succulent lobster tail, we never cracked a claw
Our catamaran comforts mean we can’t complain
But this was next level, I’d do it again
Abrolhos environmental message is to adapt – or else
The only adaptive pathway is to go top shelf
At top deck sunset cocktails in beautiful Turtle Bay
My inner princess emerged – and is here to stay
She let me down at the art shop, I bought a tea cosy not a pearl
But I can see life had changed for this Brighton girl.
So cruising group, there is a cruising world beyond Port Phillip and Bass Strait
Go to the Houtman Abrolhos, lobster, fun and luxury await.
The latest update from “Aquacadabra” and the 2025 Sail 2 Indonesia Rally is that the fleet has arrived in Wakatobi, a location famed for its clear water and great diving. Dave Stripp tells us:
“Thursday Island to the Kai Islands, our first stop in Indonesia, took us 5 days, along the way coming across fishing boats, nets and FAD’s (fish attracting devices) mostly not on AIS. Kai islands had clear water, great coral, but our our anchorage was some way out of the main town. Clearing in took some time, which is part of learning how Indonesia runs.
A minor incident occurred on our way to next stop when some of the group called into an island to stop for the night but left after some locals became threatening. All was reported to authorities, but this showed us that while hospitality has by and large been very welcoming, not all Indonesia wants us to visit. The yachts all left quickly, and all headed to Banda Neira. The history there is the main attraction. Dutch forts and artefacts from the spice trade are everywhere. Volcanic activity very evident, and good coral to snorkel around. Ambon next stop, the largest city in this part of Indonesia. Anchorage not great, lots of rubbish in water, closest to equator for us, very hot and rainy. Apart from being the best place to get diesel and supplies, not that popular with the fleet. Tifu was our next destination, a small bay on southern Buru island. People here were magic. A small village, but made us very welcome, many afternoons ashore singing together, playing with the kids. A resident crocodile kept us from swimming much, although locals say he is no problem. From Tifu, an overnight sail to Wakatobi. Clear warm water, reef everywhere, sandy beaches. Looks to be our best yet for snorkelling. Going ashore this afternoon, dinner cooked for us, about $5 each, a Bintang $8. Eating ashore is generally cheaper than shopping for supplies and cooking aboard”
Dave and Tony Garvey have three more stops on “Aquacadabra” and will then be flying home, to be replaced by Brian Churchill and Robina and Brenton Smith who will be flying in to join Rob Hurrell on the boat