Sorry about the radio silence. Indonesia is such a wild place.
Flew in a couple of days ago, straight past Semeru, a 3,657-metre active volcano that was erupting as we went by. Welcome to Indo.
Then the long haul out to the Mentawai Islands, about 150km off Sumatra. Twelve hours of slapping across the ocean in side chop before dropping anchor at 5:30 am in a remote bay.
We’re anchored in the same bay where the 2010 Mentawai tsunami devastated the area. Two surf charter boats were picked up by the surge and smashed together, one later catching fire. Villages nearby were devastated. Hard to comprehend looking at how peaceful it is here now.
Anchor dropping is your alarm clock here. I jumped out of bed, checked the waves, looked over the side…
Three-metre female crocodile. Chinca is her name.
Right next to the boat.
I’ve heard about this croc for years but never seen her. Now she’s been hanging around for days getting pretty comfy. Apparently she doesn’t venture out to the surf break. Apparently.
Makes swimming around with a camera slightly more interesting.
It’s been unusually windy up here. Relentless southeast trades, but beautiful sunny days, little rain and cooler than normal.
I’m aboard with 10 surfers… I’ve been doing these trips with for decades.
So we’re moving through the islands, chasing uncrowded waves and exploring remote corners of this incredible archipelago.
Hopefully we’ll find some gold.
And avoid the croc. :: uge
Just back from Arnhem Land: Home of Baru.
Crocs next to a boat?
Sounds like people may have been rewarding it for approaching a boat. She is conditioned/trained to come to people.
Nobody has likely trained it “not” to eat people.
I’d like to continue to read your posts….