For the first time since 2006 we are anchored in Australian waters. We arrived just before 2:00 p.m. Central Australian time and dropped anchor in 6 metres of beautiful turquoise water in Guruliya Bay. We have travelled 414 NM since leaving Woha Bay in Indonesia in just less than three and a half days in reasonable conditions. A bit bouncy at times and a lot of motoring but we have experienced a good passage compared to others who have come this way before us and had a hellish time. We are thankful for this and that we did not have to wait very long for our weather window to Australia.
Now we are surrounded by an ancient land which has a beauty all its own. The Wessel Islands are very flat with low scrubby vegetation, white sandy bays and sandstone headlands, surrounded by clear blue waters, and in deep contrast to the rich and volcanic islands we have just travelled past in Indonesia. All are beautiful though. Guruliya Bay is referred to by yachties as The Boot due to its shape and provides very good protection in waters less than 10 metres - another contrast to recent anchorages.
We had hoped to arrive earlier today so that we could have done the transit through the Hole in the Wall and continued on to Gove. This would have allowed us to clear customs, immigration and quarantine before the weekend. Now we have to try and delay our arrival until late Sunday but the weather is not looking that good for Sunday. Mmmm, we were led to believe we could just sit on our boats and wait until Monday but now it seems if we arrive Saturday they will clear us on Sunday at overtime rates. It's all a bit too hard to think about now as it's time to rest up.
Position: 11 35.974 S, 136 17.704 E
Track us at http://www.pangolin.co.nz/xtras/yotreps/tracker.php?ident=VMQ8796
Blog: www.svtweed.blogspot.com
Now we are surrounded by an ancient land which has a beauty all its own. The Wessel Islands are very flat with low scrubby vegetation, white sandy bays and sandstone headlands, surrounded by clear blue waters, and in deep contrast to the rich and volcanic islands we have just travelled past in Indonesia. All are beautiful though. Guruliya Bay is referred to by yachties as The Boot due to its shape and provides very good protection in waters less than 10 metres - another contrast to recent anchorages.
We had hoped to arrive earlier today so that we could have done the transit through the Hole in the Wall and continued on to Gove. This would have allowed us to clear customs, immigration and quarantine before the weekend. Now we have to try and delay our arrival until late Sunday but the weather is not looking that good for Sunday. Mmmm, we were led to believe we could just sit on our boats and wait until Monday but now it seems if we arrive Saturday they will clear us on Sunday at overtime rates. It's all a bit too hard to think about now as it's time to rest up.
Position: 11 35.974 S, 136 17.704 E
Track us at http://www.pangolin.co.nz/xtras/yotreps/tracker.php?ident=VMQ8796
Blog: www.svtweed.blogspot.com
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