Villa G's cruise route from Darwin to Phuket in 2015 and 2016

After 3274 nautical miles we're in Phuket and cannot really say that we saw or did much new during that trip.  We basically retraced our cruise path in 2013 when we traveled from Phuket to Darwin.  I have attached a link to our track here in gpx format (marine plotter) and here in KMZ (Google Earth format) where you can get a detailed map.  We'll be off to Bali soon to move into Villa Cengkeh.

Villa G's Cruise: Darwin to Phuket 2015-2016

Crusing Season for 2015-2016 Drawing to a Close

We berthed in Phuket's Boat Lagoon Marina at noon today on the high tide.  That's 3274 nautical miles since leaving Darwin's Cullen Bay last August.  It was not a conventional cruise as we were somewhat sidetracked with the process of building our new home in Bali (see www.villacengkeh.com).  We anchored in Lovina Bali for 3 weeks on the way north, flew to Bali from Singapore as well as from Penang to check on things.  So it has actually rushed cruise and generally uneventful except for losing the hydraulic steering one night and a water-maker problem that required parts sent from the USA.

We will have Villa G repainted and other, mostly cosmetic, work done here in Phuket by Nai and Toe at Phuket Inter Woodwork.  We will take off the sails and lines and get them cleaned and repaired, remove most things that might be in the way of the paint work etc.  So we will be in the water about a week and stay here another week once Villa G is up on the hardstand to complete all the arrangements.

We plan to fly back to Bali on 9 April and move into Villa Cengkeh by 15 May.  It is very exciting for us.  Like most people, we have never built a house from scratch.  Of course, we are not "building" per se, but enjoying the fruits of skilled Indonesian workers and the fine organizational skills of Tropis-Living's Roland Leijten.

Kalibukbuk, Bali: Final preparations for the community's Ogoh-Ogoh

Today the final touches are being put on the local Banjar's Ogoh-Ogoh.  The artists/constructors were soliciting donations at the last minute for more paint.  As you can see the evil devil is pulling some poor soul from the grave.  The huge figures will go to the beach with dancing and music then be burned before casting into the sea.

The Devil Herself!

The Soul being raised from his grave

Its a community event

Bali's Nyepi: Out with the evil and in with the good

We will leave Bali the day before Nyepi, the Balinese New Year when all is quite.  Seriously, it will be quite.  No cars on the road, all flights cancelled and ALL businesses closed.  Guests will be required to stay in their hotel or resort.

However, leading up to Nyepi is a rush to complete paper mache constructions of evil which will be marched to the sea, burned and then cast in to rid the island of the evil spirits had may have accumulated over the past year. The next day will be Nyepi, or New Year's Day

Every Banjar, or community within a Balinese village, is busy preparing Ogoh-Ogoh, these are puppet like creations of frightful figures varying from small for the kids to gigantic for the Banjar.  Below are photos of the Ogoh-Ogoh being created here near our guest house in Kalibukbuk.  The young people at the school are preparing to dance the big Olga-Olga to the sea accompanied by musicians seen practicing outside the school.

The unfinshed Olga-Olga of the Banjar

Olga-Olga at a local shop

Members of the school orchestra

Practice for dancing the Olga-Olga to the beach