Pulau Raja Lat. N 1 degree 01.4' Long. E 104 degrees 09.6'

We left Mesanak with few regrets at 0530 today (Sun. 20th.) At around 0330 we were awakened from a deep sleep by the wind howling and, as we were being held sideways by the tidal current, the boat was heeling and starting to feel somewhat uncomfortable. At this time of the year which is the start of the wet season these nasty little electrical storms whistle through with startling regularity. They usually last 30 - 60 minutes and generate sudden high winds from a generally unpredictable direction. In addition there is torrential rain (thank goodness we re-caulked the decks!) but the worst is the forked lightning. The rain and wind can be dealt with but a direct hit from forked lightning would be devasting and doesn't bear thinking about. At least our mast is wooden and not so tall but this by no means guarantees immunity. So, all we can do is cross fingers. We have attached a length of wire from the lower port cap shroud into the water in the hope that if there was a strike, the charge would be diverted into the sea. But there is no predicting the path a lightning strike will take.
We motorsailed as per usual north west passing various islands (Pulaus). The wind was generally only about 10 knots and 15 degrees to port of our course so, unless we wanted to be out here all night, motorsailing was the answer. Karas Besar to port and Pangkil and Lobam to starboard. Many ships in the shipping channel south from Singapore so it was constant vigilance. We were sailing just astern of an American yacht, "Rutea" and asked them where they intended to anchor for the night. We'd had an anchorage on the other side of the Selat Riau but they mentioned this one so we elected to follow them as some knowledge was better than none at all! On the way in we ran through yet another electrical storm which was frightening as not only was there heavy rain and strong wind but frequent close bursts of forked lightning with gunshot thunder. We just kept our fingers crossed and it worked!
We threaded our way in through some small islands around reefs and tidal currents. The original anchorage proved to be untenable due to said currents and ferry wash from frequent high speed ferries. There was an industrial port with some sort of mining operation ashore - just like New Caledonia where they carve a hill away to nothing.
We then retraced our steps and eventually anchored as above. Not terribly salubrious but at least it's sheltered with not so much current. There is a village on stilts over the water but it all looks quite impoverished. We saw people out on the reef and others in small boats collecting seaweed so it appears to be very much a subsistence existence.
Tomorrow the last lap in the journey out of Indonesia when we arrive at Nongsa Point Point Marina on the NE end of Pulau Batam. Only 18 miles from here so shouldn't take too long.
More coming so watch this space!
Lotsaluv from us............
Jim and Jean
s.v. Tiare Taporo III
Pulau Raja
Indonesia.

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