Nongsa Point Marina Lat. N 1 degree 11.8' Long. E 104 degrees 05.9'

We arrived at Nongsa Point yesterday (the 21st.) We left the anchorage at Pulau Raja at 0730 and motored north past an amazing industrial/mining development onshore which seemed to extend north along the coast for some 5 miles or so. The area or town is known as Kabil and is just another example of Asian industry which leaves Australia and NZ for dead. This would only be a small example but is indicative of energetic Asian development as the world's new economic powerhouse. As we motored north we passed rows of ships and barges at anchor waiting to load. All very straightforward as the channel was well marked and for once the chartplotter seemed to agree with where we were!
We continued north following the Batam coast around in an increasing NW/W direction until not far from the Nongsa Point entrance another of these electrical thunderstorms hit us. The wind had been well below 10 knots but suddenly came up to 30 right on the nose with an unpleasant steep sea. We continued plugging into it (wind and heavy rain) for a while but then decided that, as we weren't entering the marina in these conditions, we would seek respite and headed inshore where we obtained a welcome lee in calm water and anchored in just over 20'. Had a cup of tea and finally made contact with the marina on the phone as they hadn't been answering the VHF. However, they still couldn't give us a berth number much less tell us which side we would be tying up to so we were still unable to rig fenders or mooring lines. Anyway, we got them out from under the cockpit sole and then weighed anchor and set off once more. As we came closer we could see the tall buildings on Singapore Island a few miles from here and also the Singapore Straits with endless processions of ships heading to and from the Far East. We'll have to cross those straits in a few days which should be fun with these maritime behemoths bearing down on our puny 12.5 metre yacht!! The approach was easy and well marked and once inside the marina boat came out to meet us. Finally they told us which side we were berthing to so we rigged our lines and headed into the berth where we are berthed alongside a Canadian boat - "Nahanni". Another boat told us they had been to the rally anchorage on the neighbouring island of Bintan about 12 miles away but left after a sleepless night in a rolly and dangerous lee shore anchorage. These electrical storms would be blowing straight in there so it would not be good to say the least.
The marina has a bit of a roll - about the same as Bundaberg - but is otherwise very swish and upmarket. We treated ourselves to lunch in the restaurant and then organised a visit to a local doctor to have a look at Jim's leg which had become infected after what we think was another insect bite. Jean had had him on antibiotics for the last 3 days and had been placing charcoal poultices on the affected area which had been improving the situation. The marina provided a vehicle and driver free of charge so after dinner (the doctor was only available at night) we headed off - only about a 7 minute drive. The doctor was very pleasant with a beautiful nurse who took Jim's blood pressure which surprisingly remained well within acceptable limits!! He diagnosed an extreme allergic reaction rather than infection as such which was a relief and so we left armed with antihistamine tablets and ointment. Hopefully that will finally clear things up.
Sail Indonesia appears to be dragging the chain as far as organising our Customs clearance is concerned as they have known for weeks that we intended to clear out of Nongsa. All the boats here are complaining about the same thing and one can only speculate at the reason. Suffice it to say that once again they try to entice boats to Bintan which seems a dangerous anchorage in prevailing conditions and if you elect to do something else they are no longer interested in you. Another boat here (not in the rally) arrived and cleared out within 24 hours and at no cost whereas we are subjected to infuriating and unreasonable delays because it seems we are part of the rally. And it's going to cost us IDR 745,000 (NZD80) whereas there is no cost if you travel independently or put up with a largely untenable anchorage on Bintan. Another example of Sail Indonesia putting their commercial and political interests first at the expense of the rally participants. We are going to contact SI today and tell them that unless we have clearance organised within 24 hours we will be contacting the NZ Embassy in Jakarta and make an official complaint about deliberate withholding of the necessary documentation.
The "stragglers" arrived later yesterday as well ("Settlement", "Pedoja", "Screensaver", "Libertad", "Tropicali") to name but a few. "Stragglers" is a sobriquet self imposed by "Settlement"! "Galatea" should arrive today.
As always watch this space!
Jim and Jean
s.v. Tiare Taporo III
Nongsa Point Marina
Indonesia.
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com

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