Tuesday 2nd June 2015
In my excitement
at getting to Waisai, and finding connection to the internet, I forgot to write
a bit more about crossing the equator. I
had taken some very spectacular photos.
This is what it looks like:
 |
| Hmmmm…. |
And here are some
equatorial birds, on their improvised raft.
I also didn’t
mention going to Pulau Pef. This is an
absolutely beautiful little island, with what seems like a very nifty little
resort, run by an Austrian couple.
We arrived just before dark and pulled up close to the jetty, where we discovered – sigh – that the resort was closed for renovations, as from…yesterday…We had been so looking forward to a restaurant meal, and the use of the resort internet. But all was well; we were directed around the back of the island, through some very imposing rocks which looked as if they were off the set of Lord of the Rings,
and into a peaceful sheltered backwater.
 |
| MANY birds - not visible! |
We were supposed
to go and register, and pay for the mooring but…we were just…well there is no
word for it other than BUGGERED. We did
not have the energy to lower the dinghy and go and fill in forms. I have written an apologetic, even possibly
groveling, letter to the resort people; I hope they let us come back – we will
pay then!
There were
hundreds of birds, twittering, singing, trilling. We couldn’t really see them at all, but they
were entrancing to hear. And Captain
Pete spotted a huge great nest
which impressed us
mightily. We didn’t see anything near
big enough to warrant such a nest; maybe the eagles had flown off for their own
holiday, along with the resort owners.
0 degrees 26.585S
130degrees 26.636E
Pula Pef mooring – 20m depth; very sheltered
It is quite a long
way from our big fat yellow mooring to the town of Waisai. We decided to hail a water taxi to get us
there rather than risking it in the little dinghy.
“Hailing a water
taxi” sounds very grand… What we did was wave at a passing dug-out.
Matias was very
happy to take us into town, and to wait to bring us back, for 200,000 rupiyah
($20. For this amount I think he would
have driven us to Pulau Pef and Wayag and back…)
So we had a few
hours in Waisai. Pete and I have found
ourselves more often than you could imagine stuck in a place where everything
is closed because it is a public holiday.
For no discernible reason. Today
is a Tuesday and – yes – a public holiday in Waisai! I think South East Asia has a great many
public holidays. Not sure if the workers
get paid, but everything certainly shuts down!
 |
| Many boats stuck in the mud |
Fortunately the
market didn’t shut down and we were able to replenish our supplies of onions,
tomatoes, potatoes etc. We had used
every single bit of fresh fruit and veg and we were very happy to get a new
lot.
Waisai seemd to me
like a Wild West town. Big wide streets,
a certain emptiness. No tumbleweeds…
But some very
interesting shops. I just loved the Randi
Salon and Brydal. It was full of
gorgeous glittery items of clothing, and in the adjoining room (salon) there were women sitting under
big old-fashioned hairdryers.
We got some pulsa
(top-up) for our phones. This
transaction was handled with care by a serious young chap
with the most
amazingly impractical fingernails.
Most of the
children in the street were happily playing marbles in the dust. Pete stopped to have a go but…he is out of
practice.
I think that the
Waisai City Council has ideas of grandeur.
Not quite sure
what they are aiming at…
But on the
waterfront there is an enormous expanse of parkland under construction.
With an avenue
leading to…
Waisai’s very own
Eiffel Tower!
Matias was ready
and waiting to take us back to 2XS.
As soon as we got
back, I leapt into the water. From his
little dugout we had been able to see beautiful clear water and gorgeous coral
– I was going for a look! Yesterday the
tide had been very strong and there was no way of swimming in any direction
other than – whoosh THAT way! But today
it was all gentle and easy and I had a wonderful swim.
Unfortunately my
underwater camera refused to take more than one (rather pathetic…) photo
of a lovely fish
which has taken up residence near the
propeller.
Tomorrow we are
going to stay here on the mooring before we go to Sorong to pick up our
faithful friend John Miedecke on the 5th.
He is going to LOVE Raja Ampat!!
Today's BirthdayBoy:
Gavin Wakefield!
 |
| Gav in the air! |
