Wednesday 30th January 19
Tiadup
Most of the boats from both Suzie 2 and the world arc, have now left the anchorage. Were are now only 5 boats in. Very quiet indeed. Jwcster is on its way and soon the are anchored next to us to Ian’s delight. The sun is out today and we went back to the reef for a bit of snorkeling…. Brilliant again, especially when we spotted an eagle ray majestically making its way at the bottom. Landed on the nearest island thinking that going back the same way we came would be too much hard work with the current and spent some time chatting with our neighbors from the catamaran stardust. The have a very old dog the same breed as Mizzen…
We had a very social evening with Jacqui and David…. Whilst Ian is ripping all their movies, of which there are hours worth or watching…. when ill we have the time?
Tuesday. 29th January 19
Tiadup anchorage
The provisions boat came to us early morning, he has got lobsters of the right size for our pan so we get tempted. At $10 for 2 it is a bargain! We spent the rest of the morning preparing them, so they’ll be ready for dinner tonight… Fried in a bit of garlic I think.
The reef is all around us and it is not very far to swim. Although the sun makes intermittent appearance, the wind is down and the sea is fairly flat. Perfect weather for a bit of snorkeling. It is just brilliant never seen so many fishes. The coral is also in very good shape in comparison with what we have seen so far. Millions of fishes. Getting back to the boat is a bit hard work.
Later in the day when the sun is not so hot I take the dingy for a ride, 3 islands to walk around. It really looks like the sea has been pounding them… Many palm trees have been knocked down and all of them looking strong and healthy, some even with coconuts attached. The beaches are also showing signs of heavy pounding. It looks like the islands are been eroded…not sure how fast though. Will have to ask a local… We have seen some of the boats ferrying huge chunks of coral and we noted that some of which we have seen lining the edges of some of the islands, to prevent erosion.
Monday 28th January 19-
Tiadup anchorage (Coco banderas)
We had a full day today. Up quite early, the sun is out but not for long, big grey clouds have gathered above us. Ian wants to go around the island of ogopsibudup, before we move on the 2 miles to our next anchorage. After yesterday’s little trip around the other island where we collected all these flip flops and crocs, we thought it would be good to do the same here. Although it does feel a bit useless… So much of it get washed up that the sand of the beach is actually a layer cake of plastic rubbish. There is very little glass washed up, it is all plastic bottles of all shapes and sizes. There is even a fridge! Still, it is sad but the island is still beautiful. Amazingly we had the place to ourselves, despite being only a mile or 2 away from green island where the anchorage is packed. Mind you it is marked as a day anchorage but with the wind so light, we could stay there comfortably.
By late morning we are ready to move on and a we had to motor these 3 miles as the wind is on the nose. Not as low as we thought we would find it… Up to 23 knots in the middle of the channel. Fortunately it does not last by the time we get to the cluster of islands,it is down to a more suitable 15. The place is quite busy but there is room enough for us, wedged between 2 islands, Tiadup and Olosicuidup, Guarladup to the south and Dupwala to the west (brilliant names) and surrounded by reef. It is a spectacular place, quiet, right up until mid afternoon and 2 boatloads of backpackers turned up… And yes they are staying the night! Hopefully the shrieking will be subsiding soon.