We spent a comfortable night anchored off Green Island, despite a bit of roll and managed some sleep. This morning we discussed making a run to Hua Lien, our original destination, or stay in the anchorage another night, or try and get into the boat harbour on the west side of the island and about 1.5 miles away. An approaching dive boat was hailed and they all spoke English so we asked if it would be possible to go into the harbour for shelter for a couple of days. A quick phone call and they said 'follow us'. First we had to get the anchor up which was caught around the coral we had anchored on - well, it was dark and we didn't know it was coral. Then Alishan had a similar problem so one of the dive boys went down and checked out the problem and they got their anchor
up as well. We then motored around to Nanliao Bay where there is a fishing/ferry boat harbour, 22 deg 39.652N, 121 deg 28.413E - not your regular marina with floating docks and berths but concrete wharfs with big rubber strips to rest up against. Hmmmm, well this is what we expected but it looked a bit daunting. Nevertheless we came alongside and there was no shortage of people to help tie up. They gathered fairly quickly to see a couple of sailing yachts in their harbour.A diver goes below to sort out Alishan's anchor problem
We were immediately boarded by two members of the Coast Guard. This is not a regular Port of Entry where immigration, customs and quarantine formalities can be completed. They were very polite, very young and soon had all our paperwork plus a copy of our logbook to take away with them. We can stay while the weather is making up its mind about what to do and maybe turns into something nice for cruisers. At the moment the sky is all low clouds with intermittent drizzle but very calm in here. Motoring around here the wind was still up and probably blowing 20-25 NE north of the island. Curious locals come by to see the strange yachts in harbour
We have been assured it is OK to go ashore where we can buy fresh supplies, fuel if needed and fish - this place is famous for fish apparently and the Coast Guard boys indicated there was great sashimi available not far from here. Wow, good food at last after the offerings in the Philippines. Maybe the weather will make us to stay here for a few days at least. There seems to be lots to see and do and the people are very friendly here in the Far East just as we found them to be in South East Asia.
