Lots on the go here at Serangan, Bali and Picton Castle. Here is a “shopping list” of the buzz.
Calm light breezes. Warm enough but not beastly hot. Lots of outriggers all over the place, an outrigger either side is the standard on boats here and these craft are very colorfully painted up. One small outrigger is nearby the ship at dawn each morning casting and hauling his net. Not catching much but very picturesque. The shoreline is crowded with these outriggers. At anchor within this enclosed bay are at least 100 vessels of which Picton Castle might be the largest. Also a few Bugis-built wooden ships. There are hundreds if not more of these ships all over Indonesia trading and fishing. Not that long ago these were all under sail alone. A few yachts, some of which look they have been here forever with no intention of moving on. Ferry boats headed to Lombok and other islands parade back and forth. As charming as this harbour is, we cannot say that it is pristine and trash free. After generations of tossing out banana-leaf wrappings and spent coconuts, it will take some time I suppose, to not do the same with the leaves’ modern replacements of plastic bags and bottles.
Some crew from the first half of the voyage are needing to sign off here (and threatening to return in Cape Town!) and some new crew joining us here, as well as not one, not two, but three medically trained folks to sail as Medical Officers – more on these lovely people later. All new hands are getting their basic training now and have already done their comprehensive going aloft training. We take this very seriously and not everyone goes aloft. Nope. Much more to do.
We carried out our annual marine regulatory inspection here in Bali. Like all inspected and certified ships we get checked out every year for condition and equipment, records and generally doing the right thing. Takes a few days and includes a lot of poking around and demonstration drills. All done now. Not only is this required by law and meeting international standards but it is also a good extra pair of eyes and can find things we miss – all to the good. Life rafts are getting repacked and recertified and will be back in a few days (we hope! Can hardly sail without them?).
Sernagan is a great harbour for training and practice in the small boats and many crew are doing just this. It will be some time before we do skiff runs again after we sail onward. We go alongside in the next few ports. We also have fueled up and are getting our cooking gas bottles refilled. Hard to cook without, eh?
I Made Alon Pawitram has been giving tours for the gang, all coming back amazed at what they have taken in. Made is a great friend of ours and is a wonderful tour guide – find him on Facebook as Delon Alpa and email at [email protected]. By the way, in Bali you want a car WITH a driver. You will see why – do not rent a car here! And definitely not a scooter. Do not rent a scooter. The traffic is harmonious but also a wonder to behold in Southern Bali.
We will be going food shopping soon, there are great venues here for same. A shopper’s paradise it is. And new pillows are on the shopping list as well. As well as duct tape, thinners, steel wool and so on.
We are into rainy season now but the Balinese say they have not seen much rain yet. We have had a few downpours but today is bright and sunny. A good day for drying sail, painting and varnishing.
Our day’s sojourns often end at the little friendly “warung” at the head of the small boat dock we use. Its called Warung Pak Jalan, and it’s just west of the main ferry dock here in Serangan. Cold drinks, good food, friendly welcoming folks, terrible karaoke. It is a local hangout to be sure, much like a corner pub in its true sense. It is lovely.
Onward…
