We dropped anchor in Kupang on West Timor at 0900 today; it's a seriously third world place.

The wind filled in last night and we had a great sail for the last 14 hours. There was some momentary anxiety at dusk last night when a fast local fishing boat headed towards us - but fortunately a bulk LPG carrier suddenly
became visible on the horizon, and by the time it had passed it was dark and the fishing boat had disappeared. We're probably paranoid, but it was a bit
worrying.

• Do you have any plague, cholera, or typhoid among your crew?
• Do you think your rats or other vermin could be carrying any of these
  diseases?
• Have you had any deaths since leaving your last port?

After a brief check of the boat and crew I was able to reassure him
on all three counts, and we were given 'free pratique' and told we
could take down our yellow flag!

We're now heading for a long kip before sampling the orient tomorrow.

Home | Top | < previous | next >