Category Archives: Positioner

Sailing in Seychelles to the islands La Digue and Praslin 13/8-22/8

We needed diesel and gasoline so we sailed to Thaylor Smith wharf. We sailed back towards Victoria and Anchored outside the harbour. Next morning we had problems getting the anchor up because the relay to the up deck switch was not working. Lars had to chant the system. When we get out on the ocean we felt a little uncomfortable because it was a long time since we have been sailing. There were 20 knots on the beam and big short swells on 43 meters depth. We started for motor alone and after a while we rolled out the jib. We drop the anchor outside La Digua in the afternoon. It was a very roly anchor place. We had a difficult night for sleeping. Lars would not sail in to the harbour because our draft is to big, and there were a lot of boats. 14/8 The next day Lars replaced some electrical cords to the anchor drive so we could hoist the anchor up and down. We took the dingy in, in the afternoon, because the wind had calmed down. There were a lot of activities and people in the harbour. Ferries came in and out with a lot of tourists. We walked around for a while and found a restaurant by the water to have an early dinner. We could see Alexandra from there. Next day we stayed on board because of strong winds. We had visit from the coast guard next day. Two young recruit came aboard with the usually paper to fill. Al small boats with passengers were checked out for using life-jackets and there were many boats because of the religious holiday celebrating the saint Maria Jesus mother. It started very early in the morning but the wind were then to strong for us to leave Alexandra. Later in the afternoon we sailed in and had a walk along the north east bay and find a nice new seafood restaurant south of the harbour. 17/8 Up early and sailed in and rented electrical bicycles. We had a nice day biking around the small mountainousness island. Lars had a bad cold with fever and used up his power early but he could just get another bike without charge so we could use the stipulated time to ride. At that time we had not seen the wild turtles, but were lucky to see one crossing the road just after. At 16:10 we hoisted the anchor and sailed to the neighbour island Preslin and 17:10 we anchored outside the harbour. It was a good protected anchorage. Unfortunately I woke up by that a cockroach were climbing on me! The roaches probably got on board Alexandra while staying on the wharf. Cleaning and a lot of spray around the edges is the only way to get rid of them when living on board.

We took the dingy in to the harbour and walked downhill to the village but first stop at one of many small shops to get top up data. It was Sunday so everything was closed. We bought cola and beer at the Indies little shop on the way back.

We had a difficult night because a lot of wind and rain. We had nice dingy tour to the village and the supermarket in the afternoon. Bought frozen mutton meat (Sheep) that later on made a nice goulash. We put the food in the dingy and walked further into the village, were we find a restaurant with local food. Fish salad and pork stew with bottle beer for 76 DKK.

Early morning we took a local bus from the dinghy dock to The Natural reserve, Vallée de Mai. In the Information centre we paid 2X350 SCR = 344DKK. We walked the upper trail through the Palm tree jungle, but first we saw exhibit the amazing sized seed, Coco de Mere, from one of the palm trees. It was not the season for seeds now. We had a nice walk while trying to see the differences of the palm trees. Back at the centre we got nice home baked Cake with cappuccino and cola. Luckily the rain came first in the evening.

Dingy in and ask for diving. They said it was not a season for diving because a lot of algae in the water. We got some more internet and shopped a little. We got the dinghy up on davits and we mounted the repaired staysail on its head foil.

Praslin, 9 a clock, cloudy morning when we sail out of the bay with coarse to Victoria. We sailed fast upwind for main and jib and reached Victoria, 26.7 NM, within 4 hours.

In the evening, we had a nice seafood plater for my 69 years birthday dinner, at the Yacht club.

Dnigi ride Praslin

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Dingi ride Praslin

Cascade Slipway Service Mahé Seychelles 26-30/6 2019, 27/7-29/7 2019

After visiting, Eden harbour and Thaylor Smith Harbour and wharf, we ended up choosing Cascade slipway services. We left Alexandra there and went to Denmark for a month. Alexandra was sanded, new antifouling and the freeboard polished for a reasonable price. Big thanks to Tommy for moving Alexandra on high tide to the slipway. When we came back everything we had ordered was done on Alexandra and she looked so good. It was Sunday so there were just a few people working. We launched the dingy and sailed in to the little grocery store. When we left we got a letter to document the time Alexandra had been on the hard for tax reason. No tourist tax when on the hard.

Victoria Mahé Seychelles 14/6-26/6, 22/8-26/9 2019

The capital, Victoria, is situated on the largest island Mahé. Tommy, Helene, Lars and I were guided around Victoria passing immigration, Tourist information centre, post-office, ATM, shop for internet on Market street and were to get cruising permit. The guide was Klaus from the Danish boat Magrethe. Klaus and Gitte had been in Seychelles for a wail and were preparing to go to Tanzania.

Victoria was a nice town and easy to get around by foot. Victoria Yacht-club offered service to us on anchor like shower, washing machine, get rid of garbage, getting drinking water and a nice restaurant with reasonable prices for the temporary membership 300 SCR ca 148 DKK per week. The French cafe around the corner to the left was visited by us almost every day. You could get sour dough baget with seeds, great croissant, Danish wienerbrød and other delicious bakery.

Sailing in Maldives 8/4-1/6 2019

Uligamu 8/4- 11/4

8/4 We had a nice swim in the, turquoise clean, water before breakfast. Lars lower the dingy and we took Helene and Tommy with us to the harbor. Our agent Asadhula met us with his motorbike. There is no cars on this small island. We went home to him and was treated with very nice star-apple red and green. Afterwords we were invited for lunch at a little cafe were we got local food, like deep fried triangle pirogi and spring-rolls, served with slosh-ice.

9/4 All of us were picked up, in the afternoon, to go to an other island for ATM and shopping at a supermarket. Here the eggs comes from India and are white and very small. Not as good as the once in Thailand that are big and bright colored egg yolk. Tommy bought diesel in jerrycans. Afterwords we were treated to coffee and sweets at a nice cafe.

10/4 We snorkel with Helene and Tommy on the reef close by. In the afternoon Lars and Tommy sailed in to the beach, and met Hammadh, to test our drone. Unfortunately there were dew on the lens so no good picture. At sundown we had a visit of the to agents. I made coffee and water to them. We said farewell and thanks for all help when they got picked up by friends in a speed boat taking them to land.

11/4 Running generator and water-maker and having a last swim before leaving Uligamu. We sailed 21.5 NM to Dhapparuhuraa and dropped anchor at 13:30, after a boring sail for motor. A dip in the water to cool down did not help because the water temperature was almost the same as the air 32.7°C.

12/4 Easy morning with dip in the water and sailing, at 8:30 the 22.8 NM, to Kulhudhuffushi were we could get diesel from the cay the next day.

13/4 We went in to the village, in the morning, to shop at the vegetable and fruit marked. Lars payed the harbor fee about 70 dkk. We left Kulhudhuffushi with help from local fishermen to take the lines.

We sailed outside the atoll 28.6 NM to Farukulhu. Lars got a nap. It is very hot in the salon 33.3°C. We got lunch and coffee and it was 35.9°C at 14 hour. When we sail in, to reach the way-point for anchoring according to the guide, we hit the reef. Lars backed out and we waited for Bonnie to arrive. Bonnie tried to anchor but it was to shallow for her too. We had to go further out on deeper ground and anchor. A dip in the water made the day.14/4 We left Farukulhu after having a nice swim on the reef with many fish. When we should have the anchor up the winch couldn’t run. It was a cable that had corroded. There were also a cable that were lose.

14/4 We sail out after Bonnie and after 22 NM we anchor at Maafaru close to the reef. We swam to the reef and it was beautifully colorful and many fish. We saw a little stingray on the way back.15/4 Before we left Maafaru we snorkel on the reef. We took pictures but I had problem with the camera. Lars gave the camera service afterwords.

15/4 Sailing 44,18 NM to Huravalhi and anchor outside the resort, but not to close, at 13:30. We took a swim over to Bonnie. Later on, after being pushed away from a little sand island, we took the dingy to Bonnie for a sun-downer. Helene had made nice tun-mus on rytva hard-bread.16/4 All four of us snorkeled on nice, but small, reef a bit away from Alexandra. We took some nice picture with a clean camera. Some rain in the afternoon so collected water. 17/4 Huravalhi. Nice dip in the water and washing clothes, while generator and water-maker is running an hour.

17/4 We sail 8,05 NM for motor, inside the atoll, one hour to Hinnaaruva and anchored outside the village. We visited the village, and in the evening, got dinner at a restaurant overlooking our boats. Lars downloaded a program to make maps out of satellite pictures. 18/4 Quick shopping in the morning.

18/4 Sailing to Kanafushi 8,1 NM. Anchor up at 11 and we continue sailing south in the atoll. We reach the southeast anchorage in 2 hour. We were getting a lot of rain so good for collecting rain water. We checked out google earth pictures between here and Male and also tourist guides. Dinner in a quite and wet cockpit.

19/4 Long-Friday. Anchor up at 7:45 and sail to Kagi Kanduolhi. Cloudy and sunny and no wind so motoring. We sail 48 NM in 10 hour. We met only a “cobra-ship”. We anchor on 27 meter but Bonnie wanted less depth so up with the anchor and sail into the next bay between reefs and fortunately more shallow water.

20/4 Easter evening. Sailing to Thulusdhoo 19.92 NM but first run the water-maker. Much wind up to 27 knots and sometimes rein. I wash mattress covers to cockpit using rain-water and was lucky that they dried ind the wind. We followed Bonnie into the harbor and anchored. We had nice Easter lunch at Alexandra. Helene had several kinds of herrings, eggs, relish and hard bred to offer and both of us had snaps. We had Janssons frestelse (temptation) and cocktail sausages from pork. The best thing was a very good protected anchorage in a little charming island that also is called Coca Cola island. We expected bad sailing weather for a week!

21/4 Lars roved us in to the cay and we had nice lunch at a cafe in the village. Also checked out the small shops for food. On the way back we stopped at the Coca Cola factory and got a guided tour. Tommy helped Lars with getting the 24 volt Victron inverter to work.

22/4 In the afternoon we all took a tour around the village to see if there were any beach to swim and snorkel. No success but we found a coffee bar, at a resort, were Helene and I could bathe after coffee! We came there several times. We also so the backside, a big garbage mountain.

23/4 Lunch on land and shopping. Lars tried to get top up but no success. He also went in, in the evening, but no help.

24/4 Lunch at a resort in the village and coffee at the beach. Lars bought 10 GB 700MVR but he had to by a new sim-card 35 MVR

25/4 All four of us sailed to Male The capital of Maldives with the blue ferry. It took 1.5 hours each way so not much time in town. The town was very crowded with a lot of cars and motor-bikes. First we had lunch. So Dhiraagu for more data. We found a shop that had some international food and on our way out we met Kimi and Trevor from SV Slowfligh. They were off to Gan in the evening. We split and Lars and I went in the direction of the ferry terminal because I had heel spurs (hæle spore) in my left foot and could not walk fast.

26/4 Thulusdhoo. Sailing to Velassaru Falhu. Anchor up 8:50 and sailed out of the harbor after Bonnie av Stockholm. Sat jib 09:20 and main 10:10. sunny morning with wind from north-east. At 12 a clock shallow water like 7 meter so dropped the main and rolled the jib and start motor. Drop anchor between reefs at 13:20. In the afternoon we put the dingy in the water and motor on. We picked up Helene and Tommy and went to the reef. A lot of colorful fish but the reef looked dead. Lars took pictures and GoPro film. Helene saw a big turtle. We clean filters to gen-set and salt water filter. There were a lot of algae and mussels. At Bonnie for sun-downer we had nice home made tun-mus on rye hard bread and beans that Helene had spiced. Tasted a little like almond.

27/4 Velassaru Falhu: Lars was running the gen-set and water-maker in one hour. Also ad cooling-water to Yanmaar. Lars download google earth maps and off we go. We sailed between the reefs following Navionics automatic route but also google earth maps. For motor 5.3 knots with one knots of current with us, wind 5.1 knots in the nose, blue sky.

We sailed into the little harbor Guraidhoo, after Bonnie. We got picked up by Tommy and sailed in for dinner at a restaurant overlooking the harbor and our boats. Nice dinner like chicken steak for me and burger for Lars. Freshly made juice from papaya and apple. 300MVR 130DKK.

28/4 Lars made new cable to freezer box and fridge box. Now the freezer works. I got a haircut by the captain. Washed clothes. Tommy and Lars bought a big tuna each from a fisherman in the harbor. Nice tuna with rice and corn.

29/4 Good message from Donna in Trincomale. Her daughter and husband left Sri Lanca the day before terror bombs in Colombo. A lot of wind in between. We move Alexandra further ind so giving more space to the boats coming in and out. Lars ad a fuse box to the fuse in the anchor well.

30/4 We took the dingy up to the breakwater and climbed the stones so not disturbing the local boats at the cay. I got a bracelet from the old women at the gift shop. Later on I bought a nice bawl made out of coconut and cinnamon-tree. We went to the beach cafe and later on lunch with our friends there. We had to wait a long time for club-sandwiches and fish and chips. We went to find the pharmacy and it was cited at the clinic. I could by ibuprofen pills, very cheap, for my aching heel spore in left foot.

1/5 Lars was taking a dive with, the local dive center, Manta dive. They had good new equipment’s 10:40-12.30. A lot of colorful fish but the corals were not recovered from the tsunami.

2/5 Lars could by a poster of reef-fish after the owner of the shop was called. Coffey at the cafe when we wait for the shops to open after prayer time. Sun-downer on Alexandra with Tommy and Helene and freshly made humus.

3/5 We went too Town for dinner. The dingy could be placed behind the diving boat so we did not have to go back on the stones in darkness. We had very nice fish-soup and fresh juices at the restaurant overlooking the boats.

4/5 Lars try to get data but the nice guy have not opened yet. He have to days more education in Male before he could start working I the nice office. The man in the shop, that should have top up available, told us to leave, after we had waited a long time for him to come to the shop after prayer time.

5/5-6/5 Guraidhoo sailing to Veligaufinolhu. (Ramadan starts 5/5). 142 NM. We sail out of the harbor thirst and showed the way to pass the reefs. Outside the atoll we sail a 5 hours long leg with motor and jib. Not much wind, 8.9 knots. It was very hot, 34.3°C, so difficult to sleep. We toke speed of the motor several time so Bonnie could ketch up on us and they did at 20:00. Very hot night also and I had a headache. Lars could make to safety lines for Go-pro and the diving torch. Finally we are at the anchorage by the reef. I got into the water immediately and swam to the reef. It was beautiful.

7/5 Al four of us snorkeled, on the beautiful reef, before we hoist the anchor and sailed in to Hithadhoo Harbour. Ramadan effects everything here. The shops are only opened short times compared to most of the day normally. Restaurants are not open during day time because they fast at Ramadan. We were “kidnapped” by the locals. They wanted to show us there island. First home to a fisherman. He had an Aquarius with beautiful colored fish. We got coconut drink, star-fruit and jamburoalu (water apple or rose apple) red, very fresh taste. After that a walk threw his beautiful coconut plantation. We reached a beach and was, after a long walk, put behind a scooter and driven to another beach for tasting coconut soda and coconut juice. The fisherman climbed the tree and fetched the nuts. Finally we had to ask the nice people to drive us home to the boats. We needed to secure our mooring-lines because of the tide. We stayed another night because of the weather. People were very nice to us and offered food and fruit and showed us there village.

8/9 We took it easy on board Alexandra the whole day. A lot of people came by to check out the two sailing boats. When the alarm on the phone rang for prayer they left. Also, Tommy and Lars were invited to see the big fishing-boat. In the late afternoon they sailed out and waived to us. They start fishing bait fish and the next day they catch tuna with fishing poles. We heard that, in Maldives, the fishing is regulated with how much and what methods to use.

9/5-10/5 Sailing from Hithadho Harbourto Faydhoo Gan island, the southeast island in Maldives, 162,47 NM. We leave the harbor at 6 in the morning and sail for motor only until 18:35 when we sat main and jib. It gave 0.5 knots. Lars got a big yellow tuna on the hook but it managed to get of just before we got it in. At 19 hour we sail 6.1 knots with wind 4.2 knots.

10/5 Kristoffer 31 years birthday ! We anchor outside little harbor and wait for Bonnie to sail ind. We followed them in, hit a coral and anchored close to police, border control and rescue boats.

10/5-31/5 Faydhoo Gan.

11/5 A lot of mosquitoes here. Both of us were bit all over during night. No internet but can use messenger and right to Kristoffer. Our agent, Ihthisham Najeeb (Indi), came with a car and drove us to two supermarket, one far away up north that had good vegetable and cheese and then the one closet by to the anchorage, but first a stop at the pharmacy to get top up.

Now it was Ramadan fasting in 30 days were the Muslims are not eating between sunset and sundown. Al restaurants and cafes were closed at that time. We recommend sailor to stay away Muslim countries when it is Ramadan especially Maldives because they are 100% Muslim and no other religion are allowed. In Faydhoo only pharmacy and two supermarket were open during day time. Often they were closed for prayer.

12/5 Indi and a friend, both on motorcycle, meat us on land and take us to the diving shop and Marina Monaco. Lars agreed to get three dive the next day.

13/5 Lars got diving with Marina and Pavel. A wreck dive and to overs. I stayed on board and wrote to website about Sri Lanka.

14/5 Lars connected spare bilge pump to electrical cord so we could drain the bilge from water. Now we could run the generator and water-maker. Starry Horizon anchor in the harbour. Indi came with the clean laundry to us and Bonnie. All of us went shopping for food. Lars met Marina at the diving shop and got pictures on a USB stick.

15/5 We tanked 300 liter diesel and water at the Large harbour in town. Indi came with the drinking water three times with a friends car. Lars recalled the call for prayer at 18:08 and 19.08. Lars got the last beer and I gin and tonic.

16/5 Sleep late after a very difficult night. Hot up to 35C, mosquitoes and traffic noise. Lars put new rubber membrane on bilge pump. Also cleaned filter to salt water intake. I wrote to web site. I find two lime beer from NZ and a gin tonic for me. You can by tonic water but off cause no beer or gin. Alcoholic beverage are forbidden in Maldives. Special exercise for my hale spore helps a little. Try to make my training program every evening before sundown because after that we have to close down because of mosquitoes.

17/5 Lars take the filter to the gen set for cleaning. I cleaned up after killing a cockroach. We had one every night it seemed. Friday prayer is longer when normal in Ramadan. / times instead of normally 5 times. We here not only calling for prayer but also prayer with response from the congregation. We find a mosquito net to the bed and hopefully we could sleep bedder tonight.

18/5 Full moon had to run generator during night. No mosquitoes in the net. 29°C, cleaned the filter to the shower. We went to the village and pharmacist for 10 GB and supermarket. Gym, elastic, hale spore training. I did it every evening if it did not rain.

19/5 Wind up to 20 knots and a lot of rain. We had a mosquito in the net during night. Not good. I had to fix the net from wholes.

20/5 Lars made a photo collection of Sri Lanka. I worked with the text. We had a nice snorkeling on the reef with Tommy. We talked with Kristoffer. He had gotten a bad cold.

21/5 Lars had an arrangement with Amy and David to dive with Marina. Unfortunately it did not work out. The weather was very bad with a lot of wind, 34 knots, and a lot of rain. We had to move Alexandra further in so that the police boats could come in. 27.9 ºC at 19:30 and now no wind.

22/5 Mosquitoes during night. A lot of wind and heat made it difficult to sleep. I mended the net. Hope it helps.

23/5 Washing up covers etc using rain water.

24/5 We had a lot of mosquitoes in the net during night. A not so nice walk to time because of my left hale spoor.

25/5 A big turtle swam around Alexandra for quite a time. We enjoyed looking at her.

26/5 Lars fix BB navigation light by changing some electrical parts.

27/5 Lars had to go in the water and move a fishing-boat at a mooring that were coming to close to us. He also scrubbed the bottom while he was down.

28/5 Office work.

29/5 Rain the whole day.

30/5 We had a nice snorkel on the reef with Tommy. Specially there were a beautiful brown movable coral with a lot of fish. Helene had made delicious guacamole for sun-downer on Bonnie afterwords.

31/5 Finally last day at Gan after a rainy night. Cleaning filters before running the generator. Breakfast in a dry cockpit. Tommy help Lars with a new mail program for SSB Winlink express. We all four get on land to meet Indi and his boss about clearing out. Shopping and ATM in the village. Heavy load of food with us to the dingy dock 1.5 km walk.

Sailing from Trincomale Sri Lanka to the Uligan Island Maldives 2/4-7/4 2019

Time used 4 days 23.3 h, distant 681.1 NM, avg distant per day 56.8 best distance per day 141.6 NM, SOG in kts 5.5 kt. avg, 7.1 kts max, TWA 199.4, TWS in kts 6.0 avg, 12.9 max.

2/4 Up 6:30. Dingy up on davider. Pack the aft room. When the anchor should be hoisted the winch did not run. Lars find a corroded cable and a new fuse. Later on added a new fuse holder. We sail out of the bay and soon hoist the main sail and a while later the jib. We sailed all night between land with small fishing boats, and big fishing boats further out.

3/4 At four a´clock there were not meany fishing-boats. Now we have westerly winds. Lars had to zigzag a little between fishing boats. Maria talked to Kimi on SSB at 8:30 but had difficulty to here what she said. At 10 a´clock we passes a lighthouse and here is very shallow water like 14 meter. Not much wind but the current with us. When Lars got up 12:30, we sat sails and sail 7 kt. Bonnie sail out of Galle harbor 16:15. We still have fishing-boats to look after but not so many.

4/4 We pass a very large cargo. 34.2°C in the main cabin. Wind 3.4 kn and we sail 6.1 knot for motor. After a cargo ship had passed us we sat sails. We sail 6.2 knot with 5.7 kt of wind on the beam. Several cargoes passes during the evening. Temperature 30°C.

5/4 Lars had to change course, 10 degrees, for a cargo ship to pass. Lars made very nice roti.

6/4 We have now emptied one diesel tank that is 350 liter diesel. Two cargo ships passes on BB side. Lars on SSB with Tommy and Kimi. Lars send a mail on Iridium to the agent in Uligamu 24 hours before entering. We cleaned filter to gen-set. Also filter to salt water inlet, after stopping the Yanmar. Now the pump start again. We start the motor and sail 6.6 knot, wind 9.4 kts on starboard bow upwind. We got one knot of current against us so slower.

7/4, Lars birthday! Beautiful morning passing three atolls before we, 8:30, dropped the anchor outside Uligan. After some time five mend from custom, national defends, immigration and bio-security came sailing along side Alexandra. We had some cookies and soda for them. Hammadh helped Lars to fill in several forms. The others filled other forms and used the Alexandra stamp a lot. Also stamped our passports with there stamp. Bonnie came ind at 16 hour. In the evening we got picked up by a speedboat and the 5 mend and Tommy and Helene sailed to the Island Ihavandhoo to get ATM. We got nice dinner at a restaurant like nasi-goreng with beef, chicken sausage and egg served with water. Now we are in a 100% Muslim country so nothing from pigs and no alcoholic beverage. They have though nice fresh fruit juice at almost all restaurants. Call out for prayer from the Mosque, five times a day, you here everywhere on the islands.

Sri Lanka Trincomale 14/3-2/4-2019

14/3. In the morning we sailed in to Trincomale. On the way in we met Peter and Donna, in the USA trimaran Kokomo, coming in from anchor a long the coast. They have had a terrible night there so we felt lucky having arrived in the morning. After getting contact with port control we could sail in to the cay and also Kimi called us and was there at the cay to take the line. We could stay alongside Commander 7. Kokomo moored at the cay. Nice to see Kimi again. They had been out on a 4 days road trip and we got a lot of advise from Kimi. After clearence that took half a day we sailed out in the bay and anchored were they wanted us to be.

In the afternoon we sailed in with the dingy and went to town for ATM, sim card and bred at Anna’s bakery. We had a very nice evening the Dutch Cafe with Trevor and Kimi.

15/3. Trincomale north town.

16/3 Today we visit Hindu temple out on a peninsula in Trincomale. We took a tuk tuk to the park with a lot of deer and waked up towards the temple. We had to leave our shoos and walk bare footed at the temple area. It was very hot! We saw a women worshiper taking a coco nut with her inside the temple and took oil on and lighten it up. After prier she went out and crashed the nut with a lot of power. Others gave away a miniature baby bed to strengthen fertility. Our friend Yoosuf could explain and we were lucky he was there to take us back to the harbor.

17/3 Work on board the whole day. Nice dinner with nice people from Slow Flight, Starry Horizon and Kokomo.

18/3 Work on board. Washing clothes, write to medical and boat insurance, pictures to website and post to website Indonesia.

19/3 Trincomale shopping uptown. We walked to the supermarket and got a tuk tuk back to the cay. Kristoffer help Lars with getting a program were you can, by yourself, put your position of the boat in Marine Traffic. I write to website. Very nice sun-downer on Kokomo.

20/3 Lars and Peter went in and talked with the guide, Baithulla Yoosuf, about making a four days road-trip for four people. Washing clothes and write to website. Trevor and Kimi came by to see about looking after Alexandra when we are away. Thank you so much.

See road trip Sri Lanka 21-24/3.

25/3 Very tired, photo download, photo to FB, website. Lars made hakkebøf with løg and potatoes. (Ground beef, onion and potatoes).

26/3 Sms from Bonnie said they are soon in Galle so change of plans. Lars borrowed 5 jerrycans from Peter and tanked diesel 3 times 100L with the help of tuk tuk driver 3×300 LKR=34DKK. I went to town and Anna’s bake house after bred, lovely buns and sand-cake.

27/3 contact with Bonnie on SSB. They are in Galle. Lars download a new open CPN with a new version of trip adviser. Lars went in with 5 jerrycans for last load of diesel. Made budget Sri Lanka. We met tuk tuk driver with to big IKEA bags with laundry and were driven to a professional laundry on the other side of town. Also stop at the Cargills supermarket in town for provisioning.

28/3 Test the new tea from Damro BOP Black Grainy Tea-Large, pure Ceylon tea. Not bad. 29 ºC in the salon in the morning and no wind. We write and work with pictures for the web side Indonesia. At 16 hour we get in and tuk tuk (400KLR) to laundry (2000KLR). When we got out on the anchorage we so to Mexican sailing-boats arriving.

29/3 Tuk Tuk with Yoosuf to the Vegetable and fruit market. Very good! 870LKR, 33DKK.

30/3 We put a lot on the web side. Nice dinner at the Dutch cafe with Peter and Donna.

31/3 Clean up under the floorboard. Lars make visa application to the agent “Asad” in the Maldives. Web writing and pictures, communications with Kimi in the Maldives. To Trincomale North for ATM, Anna’s Bake house and Liquor store for lion beer 2X24 6000LKR 227DKK.

01/4 Last shopping in supermarket, bakery, liqueur shop mm. Checking out at 16 hour at the harbor and after that we were not allowed to visit land anymore.

02/4 up 06:30. Hoist dingy on davider and sail to the north-est island in the Maldives, Uligan.

14/3. In the morning we sailed in to Trincomale. On the way in we met Peter and Donna, in the USA trimaran Kokomo, coming in from anchor a long the coast. They have had a terrible night there so we felt lucky having arrived in the morning. After getting contact with port control we could sail in to the cay and also Kimi called us and was there at the cay to take the line. We could stay alongside Commander 7. Kokomo moored at the cay. Nice to see Kimi again. They had been out on a 4 days road trip and we got a lot of advise from Kimi. After clearence that took half a day we sailed out in the bay and anchored were they wanted us to be.

In the afternoon we sailed in with the dingy and went to town for ATM, sim card and bred at Anna’s bakery. We had a very nie evening the Dutch Cafe with Trevor and Kimi.

15/3. Trincomale north town.

16/3 Today we visit Hindu temple out on a peninsula in Trincomale. We took a tuk tuk to the park with a lot of deer and waked up towards the temple. We had to leave our shoos and walk bare footed at the temple area. It was very hot! We saw a women worshiper taking a coco nut with her inside the temple and took oil on and lighten it up. After prier she went out and crashed the nut with a lot of power. Others gave away a miniature baby bed to strengthen fertility. Our friend Yoosuf could explain and we were lucky he was there to take us back to the harbor.

17/3 Work on board the whole day. Nice dinner with nice people from Slow Flight, Starry Horizon and Kokomo.

18/3 Work on board. Washing clothes, write to medical and boat insurance, pictures to website and post to website Indonesia.

19/3 Trincomale shopping uptown. We walked to the supermarket and got a tuk tuk back to the cay. Kristoffer help Lars with getting a program were you can, by yourself, put your position of the boat in Marine Traffic. I write to website. Very nice sun-downer on Kokomo.

20/3 Lars and Peter went in and talked with the guide, Baithulla Yoosuf, about making a four days road-trip for four people. Washing clothes and write to website. Trevor and Kimi came by to see about looking after Alexandra when we are away. Thank you so much.

See road trip Sri Lanka 21-24/3.

25/3 Very tired, photo download, photo to FB, website. Lars made hakkebøf with løg and potatoes. (Ground beef, onion and potatoes).

26/3 Sms from Bonnie said they are soon in Galle so change of plans. Lars borrowed 5 jerrycans from Peter and tanked diesel 3 times 100L with the help of tuk tuk driver 3×300 LKR=34DKK. I went to town and Anna’s bake house after bred, lovely buns and sand-cake.

27/3 contact with Bonnie on SSB. They are in Galle. Lars download a new open CPN with a new version of trip adviser. Lars went in with 5 jerrycans for last load of diesel. Made budget Sri Lanka. We met tuk tuk driver with to big IKEA bags with laundry and were driven to a professional laundry on the other side of town. Also stop at the Cargills supermarket in town for provisioning.

28/3 Test the new tea from Damro BOP Black Grainy Tea-Large, pure Ceylon tea. Not bad. 29 ºC in the salon in the morning and no wind. We write and work with pictures for the web side Indonesia. At 16 hour we get in and tuk tuk (400KLR) to laundry (2000KLR). When we got out on the anchorage we so to Mexican sailing-boats arriving.

29/3 Tuk Tuk with Yoosuf to the Vegetable and fruit market. Very good! 870LKR, 33DKK.

30/3 We put a lot on the web side. Nice dinner at the Dutch cafe with Peter and Donna.

31/3 Clean up under the floorboard. Lars make visa application to the agent “Asad” in the Maldives. Web writing and pictures, communications with Kimi in the Maldives. To Trincomale North for ATM, Anna’s Bake house and Liquor store for lion beer 2X24 6000LKR 227DKK.

01/4 Last shopping in supermarket, bakery, liqueur shop mm. Checking out at 16 hour at the harbor and after that we were not allowed to visit land anymore.

02/4 up 06:30. Hoist dingy on davider and sail to the north-est island in the Maldives, Uligan.

Road trip Sri Lanka with Baithulla Yoosuf 21-24/3 2019

Day 1 First stop is Polonnaruva the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century. Hinduism was the prevailing religion then. Before we moved around Lars could take picture of a wedding couple. Walled inner and outer city surrounded by monasteries and temples. Beautiful ruins of the kings castle, the parliament, man made lake called sea of Paramanraa a Pond with Lotus and rock cut temple with Buddha sculpture. It was a huge area so we got picked up by Yoosuf and driven to many sights. Rankoth Vehera a gold pinnacle stupa, was very impressive. Stupa is a mound-like hemispherical structure containing relics that is used as a place for meditation.

Woodcarving was interesting to see. They used teak, rosewood, ebony, cinnamon tree etc. So much too choose of!

After a nice lunch we were driven by a range rover to a national park for elephants, water buffalo, pi-cock and monkeys. We got very close to the elephants and they did not care. They just continued to eat grass. Often we saw them having baby elephants between there legs. We saw them all, finally, go into the water and it looked nice.

When stopped at a store that sold material in silk and cotton I bought a white blouse in light cotton. Also ordered a dress to be made in raw silk and delivered to the BAB the next day.

We had a nice dinner at the BAB situated in a nice surrounding. The mother was the chef and the daughter Asha arranged with the rest. There were air conditioner on our room but there were several national power cut during the evening. Asha came with candle light to us on the room

Day 2 Sigiriya (Lion Rock 200 meter high). Dates back from over 7000 years as a rock shelter mountain monastery with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Sangha Buddhist monastic order. The garden city and the palace was built by Kashyapa 477-495 AD. After his death it was a monastery complex until 14th century. Yoosuf arranged with a guide for us and it was good. A lot of steps up to the garden on the top but first we passed threw the dams with water and gardens. They had a god system of irrigation. Then we had to start climbing for the top. We had a stop to see the beautiful fresco still there. Also pas threw the gate of the lion without the head. Nice to be on the top. I could stand on the highest spot rock. Getting down we met many school children. Cobra cliff was passed were the snake charmer made his show, not for free.

Lunch at a local food place was not super. The good thing was the fresh prepared fruit juices, ice-cream and buffalo yogurt with syrup.

Next stop was historical Dambulla with the ancient monastery. So we had to continue climbing and now very high steps up to the Buddhist cave temple. We had to leave our clip-clappers and learned from before we had socks with us for not getting burned on the hot ground. It was a beautiful temple with a lot of very old Buddha statues, wall painting, a temple for preying, chamber of Sacred Tooth relic and a workshop for repairing Buddhas. Getting down we chose the wrong way so we had to call Yoosuf to fetch us. He took us to the big Buddha so we could take some picture.

Back at the BAB we learned that the chef was not home so we had to get out and get some take away food and beer. We learned how they make kottu with roti bread, egg and vegetable. Also learned that if you choose chicken and they use chicken bone they cut the chicken with the bone and put it in the dish!

Also my dress was delivered by the tailor and his helper and I was happy.

Day 3 Old Ayurveda Village. Spice and Herbal garden; Herbs and Traditional Medicines. Tour in the garden were we saw vanilla plant and a lot of other plants and trees. Afterwords we got nice massage, that we paid for, preformed by male students. We bought some of their products like 4 month detox cure and spice tea.

Stop in Kandi for excellent lunch at an international restaurant with air-condition.

After some hours, in the comfortable air-conditioned van climbing up the mountain, we reached the tea plantation, Damro Tea. Yoosuf was quick to arrange a guided tour for us. Afterwords we bought tea. The van took us a little bit higher up to Maggie’s BAB. Here we had colder climate so Lars and I took a walk around the neighborhood. We had a great dinner and priced the cook. The beds were very bad, especially our friends but we slept well anyway. Lars managed to turn on the heater. It was quit unusual thing to do.

Day 4 Breakfast and off we go down the mountain, with a pit-stop at a little beautiful Hindu temple. We saw worshiper lighten up oil lamps and prayed. Passing threw Kandi again we stopped for a coffee brake and wow what a treat I got at a that café. Lunch buffet in Dambulla were local food was a little too spicy with chili. It was served in beautiful terracotta pots. Peter got rot-is as a special treat even if they did not have a la cart. Yoosuf remembered to stop at a shop for buying buffalo yogurt in terracotta vials. Before we were dropped at the harbor Yoosuf took us home to meet his family and a cup of tea.

Sailing to Sri Lanka From Chalong bay Phuket Thailand 7/3-14/3-2019

Time used 7 days 06:30h, Distant 1030.2 NM, avg distant per day 114.5 best distance per day 210.7 NM, SOG in kts 5.4 kts avg, 8.5 kts max, TWA 101.9 avg, TWS in kts 7.85 avg, 20.7 max.

07/3 Day one. Anchor up at 7 a clock. We hoisted main and jib after getting free of Thailand. Blue sky and hot with a nice breeze. We sail upwind 7 knots. Dinner fried chicken breast with rise coal-slow and mango chutney. Eager to use the last internet for many days.

08/3 Day 2. Wind 6.6, speed 5.1. At 08:00 Lars talked with Tommy on SSB. I cleaned gas stove thoroughly. Left shoulder and arm hurt a lot (because of cleaning the hull a short time!?). Lars give massage. Dinner trout (tender steamed), potatoes, carrots, honey/muster and cowl-slow. Lars send text message, on the sat phone, to the boys like he will every day now.

09/3 Day 3. Wake up call at 04:35 in Sombrero Chanel Nicobar islands. It is still dark and stars. Sun rise at 7 Thailand time. Still hurting a lot. Dinner fish sticks potatoes coal-slow and cucumber.

10/3 Day 4. Cargo ship from south is getting closer on Maria’s watch and pass on Lars’s. 02:40 Maria get of watch after getting a sandwich with Swedish Allerum cheese and Lars goat cheese. Called Tommy on SSB at 8 a clock and hear him perfectly. Lars on the helm if auto pilot goes out. We run generator and water-maker for an hour. Lars finish his book and I continue with The silent American, Graham Green. At 17 hour tapas: black olive, goat feta, artichoke hart, duck pate and salty crackers. Dinner duck breast and mie goreng. SMS to the boys. Energy fail 12 volt so hand steer and start the generator on my watch with help from Lars. Trawler pass by. Generator run 23-24 hour.

11/3 Day 5. Lars have measured on the 12 volt batteries and they are okay. I got power drop on my watch and had to start the generator. TWD 043 E downwind 5.4 knots wind 7.6 knots. At 03 run generator on Lars watch. 04 start motor and drop the main and role in the jib. Now 12 volt battery get charged, 13.2. We sail 6.3 for motor alone and 4-5 knots of wind. Talked to Tommy at 8 a clock. Nice lunch with ham and salami. Time for cleaning up kitchen drawers. Sat sail again and after a while stop the motor. We sailed 6.7 knots. A fishing boat comes very close to Alexandra and Lars start the motor. They want to sell fish and coconuts out on the ocean. We had to speed up and get away from them. Tapas like yesterday and Thai fish sticks and mash potatoes for dinner. Sundown when we sail 5.2 wind 8.3 from NE 035, temp 30.6 in the salon.

12/3 Day 6. Tough night watch looking for fishing ship. One 20 NM south of us. Slept like a hard from 5 to 8 in the morning when I then talked to Tommy. They still wait for a good weather window to the Maldives. We could speed up and get in tomorrow evening. Instead we slow down and get in

the 14th in the morning. Another fishing boat get close to us today. They shouted to us asking for cigarettes. Lars sat local Sri Lanka time on navigation PC. After tapas served with coca cola motor gets turned of and we sail 6 knots. We passes the place with a lot of AIS but no boats.

13/3 Day 7. Woke up Lars when a fishing boat got close to us and when I accidentally closed the autopilot. Also when we needed to tack I had to wake Lars up. Difficult to here Tommy on the SSB. Still hurting right shoulder and hand. We tack back and fourth and a cargo ship pass bay on the way north. Then we are happy having many dolphins along side Alexandra. The wind disappear and we start the motor. Tapas. For dinner Lars made “Hakkebøff med løg” (ground beef and tender fried yellow onion) and potatoes.

The family comes to Koh Lanta Chade resort 27/1-10/2 2019

27/1 The family arrive, pool bathing for the first time and Oskar and Olivia loved it. We relaxed at Kristoffer´s air-conditioned room in the afternoon, very good dinner at the resort with al seven of us. It was so wonderful to see the grandchildren after not seeing them for 9 month. They had grown so much. Also nice to see Frederik Jeanne Kristoffer Winni and Jørgen. We were happy that they took the long journey to see us and off cause having a holiday in Thailand.

28/1 Jet-lag, lunch at resort, the children bathe, Jørgen gave beer overlooking the pool! We deliver laundry and went back to Alex to relax. We came in for dinner, on a restaurant on the beach, with the others. A very nice evening.

29/1 Preparing for having guests onboard when the weather allows it. Cleaning and washing cockpit covers. Lars is moving things to aft storage. I put things away to the front washing machine space, after cleaning. We took the dingy to the beach and went to the family room and Kristoffer were there. Olivia was asleep and Oskar did not want too sleep. We collected our clean clothes and went to the pool for happy hour. Al of us went north along the coast line to a restaurant on the beach. Later in the evening they had fire show there. When we went back to the resort we so many small crabs, sticking up from wholes in the sand, and Oskar was excited to see them when lighted up by our torch.

30/1 Lars moved cradles to storage under SB cabin madras. He also put cover on mainsail. I vacuum clean the two aft cabin. We went in and visited Kristoffer. 17:30 sun-downer/happy hour with Jørgen and Wini. We got buffet at the resort all of us. Nice sushi and red wine. Still very windy at the anchorage.

31/1 Lars went in with the dingy and got Frederik, Kristoffer and Oskar with him to Alexandra. So back to get Jeanne and Olivia. Olivia had fever so Lars sailed Jeanne and Olivia back so Olivia could sleep undisturbed. Frederik worked on the bottom that had a lot of growth. Kristoffer and Oskar swam around Alexandra. Lars sailed them in and later on we sailed in. Winni and I went to a playroom with Olivia. Olivia enjoyed it a lot. We missed the sun-downer because Lars got very bad stomach ache so we sailed out to Alexandra. Lars slept immediately. When he woke up he got to panadol so he could sleep threw the night.

1/2 Lars is feeling better. The painkiller seem to work. He think it is a gall stone. It is a lot of wind on the anchorage, 23 knots so we stay until the afternoon. Lars download pictures from both cameras. In the afternoon we sailed in and took a tuk tuk to Saladan and the supermarket. When we came out of the shop Frederik, Oskar and Kristoffer were there. Al of us took a big tuk tuk back to the resort. We, except Jeanne and Winnie who went to a clinic with Olivia, had dinner at the resort. Olivia had an infection and got intravenous first treatment.

2/2 Peaceful morning. Lars was still hurting in the left groin. He continued with penicillin and codeine to take the pain. Al hatches was cleaned from salt water. Also the durades needed a cleaning. The others took a one day tour around the island. Lars had fever but he was not hurting. The tour went well also with Olivia.

3/2 The night was difficult for Lars so we sailed in and took a tuk tuk to the clinic. Lars was thoroughly investigated and it turned up to be infection in the bladder. He got one dose intravenously and pills with him. The clinic drove us back to the resort. Lars rested at Kristoffers room and the rest of us could see the kids swimming and bathing in the pool at Winnie and Jørgen. The clinic called Lars in the evening and asked how he felt. The insurance Safeaway took the bill and we had to pay for own risk 700DKK.

4/2 Lars is much bedder after a good nights sleep. Winnie and Jørgen are on an island cruise. Nice breeze at the anchorage. We took the dingy in and a tuk tuk to the supermarket. We found goat cheese for Lars!

5/2 Finally, all is well and we had all of the Danish family on board Alexandra. We sailed a tour along the coast and enjoyed being together on Alexandra. The old toaster from our Luffe 37/ Njord boat came to work and it was like old time. So nice to have them all at sun-downer in the cockpit. Afterwords Lars sailed them all, except Kristoffer, back to land. We three had a nice dinner on board.

6/2 We took a tuk tuk to Santos village and walked to the north tip and a restaurant overlooking the bay. On the way back we stopped at the supermarket. They did not have much chilled food because almost al fridges were broken. Back at Chade we stopped at Kristoffers and found out that he was not well. He had nausea and rested al day. At Winni and Jørgen we got nice gin and tonic and potato chips. We al except Kristoffer took a tuk tuk to a Swedish restaurant. We got very nice seafood plater with “Skagen röra”. Yummy. The kids got mashed potatoes Swedish meatballs and lingonberries. On the way back on the market street I got help from Winnie and Jeanne to negotiate the price for one bikini and 2 skirts. We played with Oliva, in the big tuk tuk getting back home, because she was jealous on her brother for having mother for himself.

7/2 Sunny morning, after a night having to run the generator and now I had fever and stomach pain. Painkiller helped but I stayed onboard the whole day. Lars sailed in with the dingy, in the afternoon, to pick up Jeanne, Oskar, Frederik and Kristoffer. They went swimming on the reef. Oskar tried with a real snorkel and mask for the first time.

8/2 All of us on tour with the green speedboat to Phi Phi Islands. First stop Ao Tonsai Pier were we could stretch our legs waking around the bay getting ice-cream etc.

After that the boat stopped at a cliff were we saw monkeys. We continued to Monkey Beach to moor and we could snorkel.

The boat stopped one more time for snorkeling and we sail up north to a nature reserve and got lunch. The boat passed by birds nest caves. We were al tired when we sailed home. It had been an eventful day.

9/9 Last day. How fast time goes when you enjoy being with your family. Lars, Frederik, Jeanne, and Kristoffer went on tour with long-tail boat for snorkeling. They were picked up at the resort bye a pickup truck driven them to Old Town were the boat waited. They could snorkel at one spot. I had the pleasure to visit Winni and Jørgen and had a discreet swim in there private pool with Oskar and Olivia. Lars and I did not swim in the pools in Chade resort because we had to pay 1000 THB=208 DKK per person per day to use the pools. We thought it was way to much. We all had last dinner at the restaurant Chade. There were music and fire show and Oskar, 3 and a half year old, could hold the torch. So proud!

10/2 The Family flew home to Denmark. We went in to say farewell. They were al in the breakfast restaurant. We followed them to the taxi-bus. How quick two weeks had gone! Next time we will see them will be in June in Denmark, we thought, but it turned up to be July!

Putteri marina Malaysia 9/14-8/11-2018

09/11 Harbour office and immigration. Shop in local supermarket. At 15 hour we sail in to the harbour with Alexandra. Sven and Lisa helped us with the lines. Restaurant with Randivåg in the evening.

10/11 Sail to fuel dock and get diesel. It is 33°C. Elsebeth and Anders came mid day from Langkawi. Dinner with our Danish friends.

11/11 We got Elsebeth and Anders on Alexandra for coffee and cookies. After that we go shopping up-stares in the centre. In the evening we had nice food like steak and red wine at NZ restaurant. Long time seen.

12/11 Bus tour to Yohor with the rally and our Danish friends could join.

Ananas / Pineapple museum were I bought nice pineapple jam, chips and juice. We could see different kind of pineapple growing outside.

Mangrove park with long trails and monkeys. We went out to the most southerly point on mainland in south east Asia. Pictures were off cause taken.

Visit an historical house with a sultan still living there. Nice Lunch with dancer entertaining and a few speeches. We got a tour around the house and the nice son of sultan guided us.

Gala dinner with the sail Malaysia rally, in the evening with very good food and hot coffee. Before entering the room, were dinner were served, picture were taken on us. Unfortunately not digital photo. The air-conditioner worked hard to cool the room and almost everybody were freezing to death.

13/11 Taxi to big shopping centre with Elsebeth and Anders. After shopping clothes etc. we had Chinese lunch and ended up shopping for food the big way.

14/11 Our Danish friends leave for the airport very early but we take it easy because of a lot of rain. Next rally stop is Melaka and most of the boats sail today.