Darwin to Kupang July 30 2008

Hi everyone,

We've arrived in Kupang. Although it doesn't mean much, because everybody motored, we were the 1st boat across the line. The 500 mile crossing was very easy with light wind and clear skies. Feels like we are finally back in the true tropics--meaning you don't need a fleece when you get up in the morning. We did have one interesting thing happen on the way. What must have been a giant squid squirted our boat with ink. I say giant as the ink was voluminous and reached all the way across half the boat and up to the cabin top, an area about 15 feet by 20 feet. No fish caught, but we hooked a few big ones that got away. I did manage to reflect that it used to be a huge deal to cross Lake Michigan, a sail of about 100 miles and now 500 miles is like falling off a log.

Right now some huge drama is going on . Our friends on Oz just pulled in, and they seem to be a bit unlucky One of the other boats hit him while anchoring in Seisia, and, now, the customs boat has dragged and almost hit him. He moved but after that, the boat just in front and to the left of us started dragging and no one was on board. There's 120 boats in here so this is a big deal. On the radio, we called on the fleet to assist us so everyone's over there now and other calls are coming in about other boats dragging. It'll all get sorted without damages, but the drama adds a little spice to the day.

The other drama going on relates to checking in here. Seems the Indonesian guy in charge of this rally is feuding with customs. There's some reg about a customs bond, and Raymond supposedly got this waived for all of us. Not really!!! We are all technically impounded with a 18" square sticker in indonesian on one of the windows. No one knows anything, but it seems its just a local political dispute on island time. In the meantime, Kupang is a welcome relief after the last 3 year of high costs. Giant beers are about $2.50 and a huge meal about $3.00. Fuel is only about $.75/liter, but there's even drama about that one faction is officially offering it at double that so you have to do a deal under the table. Joey bought a new pump pellet rifle for $28!!!! The town itself is a bit dirty and run down, but that's what we expected. We haven't been out to the new shopping area yet, but have time to explore as we're scheduled here for another few days and still need to sort out the impoundment issue.

More later. Wanted to bring everyone up to date on the phone and our arrival.
Tim, Joe and Olivia.