Getting Ready For Indonesia

My husband, Rees, & I have been extremely busy over the past couple of weeks, getting our yacht ready for cruising. On around 10th March, we intend sailing from Morton Bay, up the Queensland coast, then across the top of Australia to Darwin, where we'll ultimately leave on our rally to Indonesia.

We'll be sailing in the company of approximately 130 other yachts & although we have friends who are doing the same trip, I'm sure we'll meet & make friends with many other like minded people. It's going to quite a trip with many adventures ahead so of course we're really looking forward to it.

Meanwhile we've had to think of health issues, health insurance, innoculations etc so we've had a busy time with the local doctor recently, having injections for Hep A, Hep B, thypoid, rabies, tetanus & a few other things that have cost an absolute fortune. However, it's better to be safe, rather than sorry, especially considering the fact that we'll be sailing in some very isolated areas.

Rees & I have only ever sailed off-shore once before & that was when we left Townsville for the Louisiades in 2006. This experience was truely treasured & we enjoyed it so much that we'll probably do that trip again in years to come. Meanwhile, our time in Indonesia will be followed by Malaysia, Singapore then Thailand. After that is anyone's guess as we don't have a time frame & we'll probably just sail with the winds.

Enjoying Windy Spirit

Today is really hot at 37 degrees but with a light northerly breeze dancing over the waters of Tingalpa Creek, our yacht is still relatively cool. However,we can't help but sympathise with our fellow Australians down in Victoria who are currently experiencing the worst natural disaster that Australia has ever seen. As bushfires burn uncontrollably, there have been huge losses of both lives & properties so although we're feeling the heat today, in comparison we have nothing to complain about.

galley

galley

Saloon

Still at Tingalpa Creek

Here we are with a little information about "Windy Spirit". Our yacht is a 40ft Chincogan, one of the Grainger designs. My husband, Rees, & I built our yacht from a hull & deck, in 10 months & launched in the January of 2008. Of course there was a lot of blood, sweat & tears involved but through the many trials & tribulations we've ended up with a beautiful, safe, boat.

Our intention this year is to join a rally & sail to Indonesia. After sailing up the Queensland coast last year on our maiden voyage, we're now more than excited about the prospects of sailing across to Indonesia, especially with the assurance of the "safety in numbers" scenario. We'll be sailing in company of at least 100 other yachts of all sizes & descriptions & we're certainly looking forward to the socializing that's associated with such a large rally. Our plans are to leave the Morton Bay area around mid March, be in Cairns by May, then sail across the top of Australia to be in Darwin by July. Then the REAL adventures will begin!!