Timshel - Lombok to Christmas Day 1

After a hectic few days now is the restart from Lombok. The excitement mounts as the boats leave the dock. At the start we are on a broad reach and some boats set coloured sails, we have all 3 white sails deployed. Much waving joking and taking of photos as we are all close together. Can see we have to harden up as we round the lighthouse into Selat Lombok, but I don't think anyone is prepared for the maelstrom that develops in the fast flowing current. We are making 12 knots or more over the ground, which of course increases the apparent wind more, huge waves develop and are washing over the deck. The Discovery 55 Aurora Polaris cruises past - later Terje says " there was just a little spray over the front part of the boat". Fortunately it dies down as we get out of the strait, unfortunately the wind goes almost completely and now there is an adverse current. We sail on slowly and take advantage of the quiet conditions to sponge the water out of the bilge, quite a lot seemed to find its way below. Others motor but we sail on slowly through the night, making 4-5 knots all white sails set, but we could do with one of these Hi-tech Code Zero things. In the evening we had the catamarans Air Power and Spirit of Catherine for company - perhaps catamarans do not like the washing machine sea much either, but by morning they are out of AIS range.