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Firefly - Rough night in the Java Sea



En route from Bali to Karimun Jawa, we encountered some strong wind and foul tide leading to a very rough night in the Java Sea. The forecast for wind of about 20 knots from behind had encouraged us to keep going as opposed to anchoring behind an island called Rass for the night. Typically, the wind did in fact get up well above the forecast, to about 30 knots, but it was the current running strongly against the wind that kicked up a very rough sea. Firefly handled it fine but the passengers managed little sleep as she rocked and rolled, the person on watch concentrating hard as there were lots of ships and fishing boats to avoid. A course was set to Palua Bawean, a remote island, the next place we could pull in for some shelter.

Rounding the northern tip of Bawean at about 1000 the next day the wind peaked at about 35 knots but Firefly was soon in the shelter of the lovely bay. Several other yachts, fishing boats and tugs with barges (they tow them laden with cargo - quite a common sight here) were also enjoying the calm water, although the wind was still gusting strongly at times. We did not go ashore but it was clearly a muslem village as we heard their call for prayer on several occasions. For some reason it was more tuneful than usual - maybe we were just happy to have stopped rocking.

The remaining distance to Karimun Jawa was 140 miles which meant we needed another trip including a night at sea. The original plan was to head off again just before dark. However, this was easily modified and we stayed the night at anchor having caught up with e mails and 'skyped' the kids at home - the internet connection via the phone SIM was good as it often is here in Indonesia, despite it being remote. It was a great decision as we both slept really well and were fully refreshed as the anchor was raised at 1000 this morning, Tuesday 5th October. The wind has been around 20 knots from behind and despite it being choppy at first its been a great sail so far, broad reaching on port. The further we go the more shelter we should get from Java so are expecting the sea to calm right down.

While in Bali, a cheerful Malaysian chap called Sazli came along to talk to us about joining Sail Malaysia - a rally for yachts going up the Malacca Straight from Singapore to Langkawi. Its arranged to coincide with the end of the Indonesian Rally and a number of the people we have got to know on the current rally have already signed up. At about £40, for the 3 weeks, its also very cheap and that price includes 5 nights berthing in Pangkor Marina and several dinners - tours are extra. The timing is just right for us as the rally finishes at Reebak Marina, Langkawi on 7th December - we have already booked to leave Firefly there for a month as we are flying back to 'Blighty' on the 8th. So we signed up to our 4th rally of the year - maybe its some kind of record?

Our last trip home was in April this year, from there we returned to New Zealand (in a Boeing, not a yacht). Since, we have sailed to the Minerva Reef, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia and Indonesia. In NZ we were 12 hours ahead of UK time, now, as we enter the Jakarta time zone its down to 6. Firefly has just clocked 45,000 nautical miles - the last milestone was 40,000 as we entered Savu Savu in Fiji back in June. As we left Opua in NZ it was on 38,565. So by the time we reach Langkawi it will be about 7500 miles in 8 months.

Its been a fantastic trip but we are getting a little weary (especially if its rough on night passages) and are looking forward to being home for Christmas and the New Year. In a few weeks time we cross the equator heading north - so Devon in winter is going to feel a bit cooler. However, early in the New Year we will fly back out to Firefly and spend 3 months sailing around the west coast of Thailand in the Phuket area.

Firefly will then be laid up somewhere in Malaysia and its back to England again for the spring and summer. Susie wants to get gardening again, Paul might have to get a job! In September 2016, Firefly will be recommissioned ready for a trip south through Indonesia without stopping. Going past Krakatoa in the Sundra Strait, between Java and Sumatra, Firefly will join World ARC 2016 in Cocos Keeling. Cocos is an atol NW of Australia and from there the Rally route is Mauritius, Reunion, South Africa, St Helena and Brazil before completing the circum navigation in the Caribbean by April 2017.

Paul and Susie


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