Message in a Bottle #15 - The End of a Dream

8th October 2012

Oh for the cruising life.!
By now you will know that cruising is not only a sense of where we sail to, but a state of mind, space and time.
Yup we did set off to Talaud, with a flourish of farewells, bands playing, media snapping and onlookers cheering and clapping.

The cruisers where dancing and sailing to the crowd, we all enjoyed our 5 mins of fame, Hey we even made it to the front page of the Davao Newspaper, More Magic in all her splendor with two very happy and excited crew.
Indeed very proud owners, this sail was to be Ganghook and the Wench's swan song on More Magic.  It is with much sadness and sorrow we have decided it's time to get hair cuts and real jobs! Sad days ahead, but full of anticipation for the next adventure.

Oh where were we?
Yes that's right in the Davao Gulf, the waters sparkling beneath our keel, the sky powder blue overhead,
Samal Island fringed with white sands and coconut trees, what a tropical paradise, fishermen in small canoes cast there nets in anticipation of a bountiful feed of seafood. A truly magical day.

Enough already I am sure you are all green with envy and not sea sickness by now.

So on with the journey, we sailed the afternoon in calm waters and cooling breezes, feet up, books in hand. Not a fish to be caught although we did pass plenty of fish attracting devices. I think they are there to give one hope.!!!!Arrrrr I we live in hope. Eight hours down, a calm bay we decided to drop anchor for the night and open a nice bottle of Red to accompany the steak and stary night.

Just Beautiful.

Up early to rise and off we go, an overnight sail ahead of us, it's been a long time but we are good to go.

Nice early breeze 10-15 knots filling the sails,
as they say "Oh what a feeling"
but ah ha, wait 5 mins, the breeze is up to 15-20 knots, oh and wait there's more, 20-25 knots and the seas are building,
the Captain is in his element,
More Magic is dancing in the waves,
the Wench, well she  declares "Galley Closed".  Brace yer cutlass and prepare yer timbers t'shiver.
Fishing lines are inboard , safety gear is on,
down to the business of real sailing, we reef once,
we reef twice, and still racing along at 7-8 knots, this girl is flying, white water is scrubbing the decks, blue water is sloothing past the hull, And the smile on Ganghooks face is priceless. "Yarrrgh , this is our ticket home me little mateys"

It's definitely an adventurers day out on the water.

Night falls, not a big moon, so the phosphorescence's are alive and glowing in the wake of More Magic.
A hearty meal is heated up, minimum time in the galley, and night watches start. Watching was the best option, as sleep evaded, the feel of the water rushing past, the sound of the wind in the rigging and the heel,
and I'm not talking about my shoes here! was less than desired for a sleepy Wench.

As daybreak came so did the smiles, hot coffee and calm waters behind the shelter of Talaud Island.
Yes we were once again in for a beautiful days sail with 60nm to go to our chosen anchorage for a couple of nights and partake in the hospitality promised by the Indonesians.

We were not disappointed, after a comfortable night anchored in 20mts of sand off a small village, we were greeted by the Indonesian authorities, formalities carried out with smiles and laughter all around, we were even blessed to be visited by a couple of children dressed in official immigration uniforms. Such is the people!!!

A beach party BBQ lunch  was arranged for us at a close by island, there was dancing and singing, eating and chatting, frolicking in the cool clear waters of Little Sara Island. It would appear the Indonesians are very adaptable, we were entertained by the Quarantine Officer, giving his rendition of Roy Orbison and many other heart wrenching songs, peppered with traditional songs and musicians playing hand made string instruments we were mobbed by children wanting to have their photos taken with us, and by us. We fell into bed with faces aching from laughter and smiles.

Time to set sail once again bound for Morotai, the sea state not so good, the wind not so calm, but a sailing we shall go!
30 mins from the anchorage we were engulfed by the big unsettled seas, More Magic lay over and sails to perfection, Captain winching and winding, Wench whining and whingeing, a quick retreat was made to keep the galley open and we aborted the sail to Morotai and headed back to Davao.
Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do, not too often have we turned away from a challenge, but if the cooks not happy, !!!!!!!!