Bima

Johnny and Mona (Wife)with Anna and David outside Johnny's house in Bima, they have 2 sons.

Cathy haggling for a fair price on a timber Komodo

Sunday 7th November 2010
We were almost running out of reasons why we should not move on and leave the Komodo Islands, when in the distance Mark say a yacht, not a local sailing boat but a real cruising yacht with white sails. He jumped on the VHF and called up "Yacht heading south past Banta Island this is Catcha Star, do you copy"? Almost immediately the reply came back "This is Black Pearl, we copy you Catcha Star". After a short friendly chat they changed coarse and came into the bay where we were. As they got closer we could see they had a little toddler on board. We hadn't had anything to do with children for years, this would be different. David and Anna had left England about seven years and two yachts earlier, eighteen month old Louis was born in Australia during a five year stopover. There was no doubt who ran the ship, it was Admiral Louis.

Over the next month and a bit  we sailed, shared anchorages and explored villages and ports together, we would bond a friendship that we believe will be life long.

After an enjoyable few more days around  Gili Banta, we made for Bima on Sumbowa Island. "Black Pearl" desperately needed some water and fuel. We had been in two minds whether or not to stop at Bima, but were not sure when we could next get fuel so we sailed in company to Bima. We anchored in a bay just north of the port, readying ourselves for an early start the next morning.

"Cockatoo II" passed on Johnny's (yellow shirt) contact number +62 877 6694 0624 

Johnny was the Man to show us around Bima and organise everything we needed. I rang him and explained we were friends of "Cockatoo II" and would be coming into Bima Harbour the next morning. He asked what our requirements were, so I explained that we were two yachts and needed fuel, water, credit for mobiles and Bintang beer. He laughed and asked how many litres of Bintang did we need. I suggested that four cartons should do the trick, he laughed again and said he would meet us in the morning at 0900.

Bima Harbour was engulfed in a thick cloud of smoke  

These local boats had two twin cylinder engines with short exhaust pipes that stuck up in the air.
The Guy's on board always had black faces from the fumes and I am sure they must have been deaf as well.  

Johnny insisted that the first thing we do was to meet with the Harbour Master. we did all the paperwork paid the money that was necessary with the Harbour Master and then had some lunch in a local warung (Cafe) with Johnny. He found us a good Internet shop, and guided us through the local markets......... But no Bintang was seen anywhere?

It was hard to find a Taxi and the bikes where no good with all the shopping, so poor old Neddy had to hall ass.

 We pulled up in a hurry at a check point, the poor pony nearly did the splits with his front legs.

Louis know how to travel

Maybe it was the chicken that upset my stomach?

We did some more shopping at the local markets the next day, while Johnny's Guy's delivered our fuel........... Still no Bintang beer?

A quick pit stop for Louis

AUD$15 to post two birthday cards back to Australia, no thank you!

Spring water was delivered to "Black Pearl" in 20Ltrs jugs, we had stocked up on fresh'ish vegetables and fruit looking things. But there was still no sign of the Bintang beer, what's that Johnny? Sumbawa is strictly Muslin and there no alcohol is allowed on the island........ Your kidding me!!!!

As we were entering the channel down to Bima we developed a serious vibration in the propeller area, on "Catcha Star". We left the port of Bima and headed for the bay at S08 24.0 E118 41.5 near where we anchored on the way in to Bima. The water was certainly not crystal clear, but 100% better than the dirty soup in Bima. It took me about eight goes with a sharp bread knife, eventually I removed all of the plastic sack. The local fishermen use these large sacks to weigh down the end of their nets, then leave them to float around when they spill all the sand.

It was a beautiful bay, even if the water was a little polluted at
least I was able to clear the prop.