Fannie Bay, Darwin, Northern Territory
12.25.517S,130.49.3433E
A quick respite in Australia and return to civilization. It always amazes us when we can smell the land long before we see it. Here it was the smell of campfires or what we now believe were the controlled burns that they regularly do to protect the land from fires and rejuvenate the soil. Our check in at Thursday Island went swiftly and smoothly. They are amazingly friendly and trust us, the Australian Coast Guard is good. No one is getting into or out of that country with out them knowing about
it. From there it took another few days of passage and we timed the tides just right to let the current help to suck us into the Darwin, Fannie Bay. Here we were reunited with some friends on the s/v Luna and s/v Pelikaan. Two more kid boats which was a great big deal and great fun. We haven't really seen a kid boat in nearly 3 months. They are heading to Indonesia and beyond as well so we'll have even more company along with the Kelly's as we travel.
What was meant to be a week stay easily turned into two while we got all our paper work for Indonesia ready to go. Never fear, we found plenty to do and kept well entertained. You can find a open air market or street fair nearly day of the week if desired. We certainly found it quite a few times. We mastered the Northern Territory bus system, completed our projects and repairs, caught the new Harry Potter film at the lovely air conditioned theater, witnessed the last performance of the "Amazing
Drumming Monkeys" puppet show at the Mindle Beach Sunset Market (the best), and of course reprovisioned. Best of all we are the proud new owners of a bull-roarer, boomerang, and a nice long didjeriydoo (imagine those music lessons on a sailboat). We had a great time looking at Aboriginal art and culture. Definitely a place we hope to come back and explore by land at great length some day. For now though we are off to Indonesia. A quick relaxing crossing of 4 days are we are nearly at our starting
destination of Kupang, West Timor.
Coordinates 10.09.385S,123.34.466
until next time,
your Ohana Kai crew
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