Thursday 30 October – moving on 7 miles to Pef Island

We went out for a snorkel at the entrance to the lagoon, the only area we had not covered, it came highly recommended by Stephen. We went out in JeldiJeldi to do a drift snorkel back into the lagoon, we were amazed to see at least 10 dive boats out, including 3 Livaboards. It really is a fantastic spot for snorkelling, the coral and fish did not disappoint us at all this morning, although there were very few clams which you will be relieved about after all the photos yesterday. We snorkelled right past the Homestay.

Got back to PolePole around midday, and found a little disaster – we had blown the paddle board up in the morning left it in the sun and it had exploded while we were out. I think Rowan had given Alex the wrong pressure to blow it up to! What a bummer. We made our way over to Pef Island about 7 miles away. The Swiss owned resort has a couple of mooring balls, which Rowan had booked. It was a dramatic entrance navigating our way through limestone islands and clear blue water with loads of coral. Such wild and pristine jungle growth on the islands. We got in no problem, Alex jumped in the dinghy to tie us onto the mooring ball, we had to tie onto a stern ball as well. It was like a mirror in the anchorage, a really stunning setting. The sun was shining so I got some much needed laundry done, 3 loads, baked bread and made granola as we were out of everything. Rowan and Alex inflated the kayak and went for a good paddle.

we were just relaxing late afternoon when a yacht came in, and anchored on the other mooring ball. Rowan saw the boat name and looked them up, a Swiss owner called Michael. We could not believe it, we belong to an Indonesian WhatsApp group that has way over 200 members, and about 3 weeks ago, a Swiss Michael was messaging about nautical miles, claiming that they were 25kms. A woman had queried it, and Rowan just replied that it was 2.5kms. This guy privately messaged Rowan calling him an absolute asshole and had a weird rant. So Rowan replied, ‘well maybe we will meet up somewhere one day sailing and maybe you can come and have a beer and see what an asshole I am’. Can you believe it, it is the first yacht since Solomon’s that we have met out and about, and here he is. Rowan leapt in JeldiJeldi and went over introducing himself as the Asshole, and invited him over for a drink. It was very funny as they said the manager told them last night another boat was coming, they asked who and she said Rowan, he said he took a big gulp! Anyhow he certainly seemed a bit of an asshole, with a German wife who seemed blissfully unaware of his rant. But what a laugh, small world even out here in these remote parts!