29) Indonesia. Lembata to Gili Bodo. 15 to 30th August, 2015.

Well this time we got it right. Going north with the current through Boling Strait, that separates the islands of Lembata and Adonara, was much more pleasant than going south against the current only days ago. Before we knew it we had reached the north east corner of Adonara Island and the beautiful reef and sandbar of Kroko Reef, was just a short ride away.

Some of us at anchor.

There were 8 boats in our group - Gemini Lady, Marathon Lady, New Views, Ocelot, Pacific Lily, Parley, Viannica and of course us - Reverie. One by one we slowly entered the deep water channel between the reefs. We are always very cautious around reefs so we followed Parley in. Peter was at the helm while keeping a clear eye on the reef system to our left, while I was jumping between the deck to keep an eye on the reef system to right and then the cockpit to keep an eye on the depth instrument.

East to Lembata Island and the volcano in Leba Leba Bay.

It was much easier than we had anticipated as the water was crystal clear and there was a well-defined deep water pathway separating the two reef systems. Before long we had safely anchored and we were all astounded that we had landed in such a beautiful environment. This was worth staying a while.







 

The sandbar - the focus of activity every day.

During the days we spent time snorkelling around the island and sandbar, swimming off the back of our boat or off the sandbar. In the afternoons we all went to the sandbar for sundowners. 

Sundowners on the sandbar.

The last day at Kroko coincided with 'Indonesia Day'' so the group hatched a plan to come up with games and festivities that we all could participate in and celebrate Indonesia Day.


 

After lunch we met on the sandbar. Some local boys were out fishing in their wooden canoes and we asked them if they would like to join us. First up was a game of frisbee for 17 people, then we had a go at paddle boarding - the locals were naturals. 






After that it was a game - well it is a game that is best described.

Mascots neck and neck towards the finish line.

Every boat and the local lads had a mascot and this was placed on a grid drawn in the sand. Each team then picked a colour and then a number whilst blindfolded. The team with the matching colour advanced on the grid depending on the number selected. The first to the end of the grid won. This was more fun than described as each team was hell bent on messing up other teams.  

Winners are grinners.

 
Lastly, was a game of dwarf throwing. No we did not throw a little person. One team member threw a dwarf doll over their heads backwards while the other team member had to catch it in a landing net. Best out of three won. 






At the end of all this a boat load of Indonesian lads and ladies turned up and joined us for many photo opportunities. It was a fun day all round.

The next day we left and sailed across the north side of Adonara Island to Flores Island. Enroute we stopped at the quaint villages of Gedong Bay and Waialung, then finally onto Wodong. Wodong was a nice sheltered bay so we took the opportunity to visit the eco resort there and arrange for a day tour to the three coloured lakes in southern Flores. The next morning we were picked up by Ray at 0430 hours and shuttled ashore for the tour. It was a three hour drive to Kelimutu National Park, to visit Kelimutu Volcano, but it was worth it. 

The three coloured lakes are just that - three different colours. What is exciting is that they are always changing colour. The day we went there, the three volcanic crater lakes were green, blue and green. The most westerly blue lake (lake of old people) was green.







 

The two easterly lakes (the lake of young people and the enchanted lake) are separated by a shared crater wall. The first green one was blue and the red one was green. Go figure?

It was a good bit of exercise to climb some of the way to the tip of the 1639 m volcano. The tip provided a good view of the lakes and the surrounding countryside.

Rice paddies - central Flores.

Outer islands - Riung, Flores.

We pressed on ever westward along the northern coast of Flores to the lovely little village of Riung. The attraction for tourists here is the offshore islands with some great beaches, island exploration, snorkelling and diving on offer.

Riung.

The village is quite poor but due to the influx of tourism things are starting to look up for the locals. There is a small, fresh vege market, ATM's (when they work), a cafe and a new waterfront hotel (several wooden rooms anyway) is currently being built. 






Before long it was westward again and we finally made the north west tip of the very long island of Flores to the small island of Gili Bodo. All the boats spent several days here relaxing after the long journey. Much swimming, snorkelling, diving, paddle boarding and a walk over the island seemed to iron all our wrinkles out.

Gili Bodo - view of island, fishing boats and Ocelot.