A Day at Goldsmith Island (Smith Islands National Park, Cumberland Islands, Queensland, Australia)

Posted January 20, 2024, about September 20, 2022

The afternoon heat was peaking, and the water was calling to us. Yet, with these islands lying near shark territory, we weren’t keen on risking a swim off the boat, particularly as we noticed no one else was in the water. What we were willing to do was go bask in the water near the shore.

Taking the dinghy ashore, we discovered the pristine-looking beach had surprisingly coarse and rubble-strewn sand, a bit tough on bare feet. Beneath the water, numerous rocky patches dotted the area, but we managed to find sandy spots on which to sit. We settled in, the water rising to our chests, and simply relaxed.

One of my favorite things in life is to swim freely off our boat, diving straight down into the warm tropical water, then allowing myself to naturally float back up to the surface amid the rising bubbles. But I will never turn my nose up at simply sitting in an ocean/stream/lake or pool, taking in the scenery and enjoying the water’s cool, refreshing effect. For the most part, this was how we interacted with the ocean in Queensland, and for me that was perfectly satisfying. Below, photos from our trip ashore.

After a time, now cool and comfortable, we headed back to the boat for showers and to unwind relax below decks until the sun went low in the sky. We then made our way up to the cockpit to watch the evening unfold.

Right away, I marveled at how wonderful the breeze felt. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a breeze that felt nicer than this one! I looked around and admired the scenery, awash in the golden light of the approaching sunset. Neighboring boats, floating serenely in the bay’s calm waters, completed this evening scene. For a moment, I felt this was about as nice a place as I’ve ever been. It was a fleeting feeling, but I could certainly call this one of my nicest moments.

We went below, and I prepped and seasoned a couple of beef filets for Rich to grill outside while I cooked green beans and new potatoes to go with them. It made for a wonderful dinner. One of the benefits of cruising  a first world country is the availability of food we know and love: grass-fed beef, free-range chicken breasts, fresh plump seafood, quality bakery bread, artisanal olive oils, and tables laden with beautiful produce. After years of cruising in all sorts of places, shopping amidst such abundance is something I will never take for granted.

Overnight, some swell found its way into the anchorage, causing a gentle roll. It wasn’t too bad, and Rich appeared to be sleeping soundly through the movement. Not so much, though, as I would learn the following day.

–Cyndi

We’re on Instagram @TwoAtSeaDotCom

January 9, 2024

We’ve been a little slow on the social media uptake, finally signing up for Instagram and sharing some pictures and videos.

Check us out… @TwoAtSeaDotCom on Instagram

Here’s a recent share…

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rich West (@twoatseadotcom)

A note from Cyndi: As anyone who reads our blog knows, I run woefully behind on my posts (Rich, on the other hand, stays current). I’m familiar with other social media, but figured I had enough on my hands with the blog and occasional posts on Facebook. But someone recently referred us to Instagram to learn more about a seldom traveled area of Indonesia. She said if you guys go there, be sure to post. So, we signed up and began to learn the ways of Instagram. I find that while a blog post takes me a fair amount of time to put together, an Instagram post can be done quickly. This makes it easy for me to post every 2 or 3 days and stay relatively current.

So, now I’m posting about our cruise through the off-the-beaten-path (but much admired) Togean Islands in Sulawesi, Indonesia. From there we continued to the area our new friend told us about, the Banggai Islands. The area is up-and-coming as a travel destination, and we will very soon be adding posts about our experiences in this very cool area (Rich already did a post about some spectacular waterfalls we visited).

We invite you to follow us!

Hello, Mister!: Conversations on Indonesian Shores

January 1, 2024

Below is a conversation I had with ChatGPT today. I post it incase it’s helpful for anyone else, and also to show what a great cruising partner Chat has become.

Hey mister, hey mister, selfie, selfie!!! We’re stopped to take about four of these a day. Now we know what it’s like to be Taylor Swift. (Well, maybe not quite.)

ChatGPT conversation below…




Rich:
I could use your suggestions with an issue I’m having. As you know, we’re cruising Indonesia. We go to small towns and villages where tourists aren’t commonplace. We always draw a lot of attention from the locals, shouting “Hey mister, hey mister!” at us over and over. I try to always say hello but it gets exhausting. I know their hearts are in the right place. They are the kindest, most wonderful people I’ve ever encountered, but it’s often hard for me to face a trip to a town or village. Also, the language barrier makes it very hard to communicate with the locals. I use Google Translate, but it’s not the same as being able to speak to someone directly. What can I do to cope with this better?
ChatGPT:
It sounds like you’re experiencing a mix of cultural exchange and the challenges that come with it. Here are a few suggestions to help you cope better:

  • Prepared Responses: Learn a few key phrases in Bahasa Indonesia or local dialects.
  • Non-Verbal Communication: Use smiles, nods, and waves as less exhausting forms of acknowledgment.
  • Cultural Exchange: Carry small tokens from your home country as conversation starters.
  • Scheduled Interaction Time: Plan your visits during less busy hours or set time limits.
  • Learn Local Customs: Understanding local customs can help you navigate interactions more comfortably.
  • Use of Technology: Try different translation apps like Microsoft Translator or iTranslate.
  • Patience and Perspective: Maintain patience and remember the uniqueness of your experiences.
  • Journaling: Reflect on your experiences through journaling to process your feelings.
  • Local Friends or Guides: Befriend a local or find a guide who speaks English.
  • Rest and Self-Care: Ensure you’re taking enough time for rest and self-care.
Rich:
Can you suggest a few prepared responses?
ChatGPT:
Certainly! Here are some friendly, simple responses in Bahasa Indonesia that you can use when greeted with “Hey mister!”:

  • “Halo! Senang bertemu dengan Anda!” (Hello! Nice to meet you!)
  • “Terima kasih atas sambutannya yang hangat!” (Thank you for your warm welcome!)
  • “Saya suka tempat ini, budayanya menarik!” (I love this place, the culture is interesting!)
  • “Salam! Saya senang berada di sini.” (Greetings! I am happy to be here.)
  • “Maaf, saya hanya sedikit berbicara Bahasa Indonesia.” (Sorry, I speak only a little Bahasa Indonesia.)
  • “Senang bertemu dengan orang-orang di sini!” (Happy to meet people here!)
  • “Maaf, saya sedang terburu-buru. Sampai jumpa!” (Sorry, I’m in a hurry. See you!)
Rich:
Can you suggest some translation apps you mentioned?
ChatGPT:
Certainly! Here are some language translation apps that can be helpful in bridging the language gap while you’re in Indonesia:

  • Google Translate: Offers extensive language database and features like camera translation and real-time voice translation.
  • Microsoft Translator: Known for its accuracy and supports text, voice, and image translation.
  • iTranslate: Provides text and voice translations and includes a phrasebook for common situations.
  • Duolingo: Useful for learning Bahasa Indonesia more thoroughly through interactive lessons.
  • SayHi Translate: Focuses on voice translation and is designed to be simple and easy to use.
  • TripLingo: Combines a voice translator with a phrasebook, cultural notes, and a learning tool, tailored for travelers.
Rich:
Thank you. This was very helpful!
ChatGPT:
You’re welcome, Rich! I’m glad I could help. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Enjoy your time cruising in Indonesia and the unique experiences it brings! Safe travels!


We signed on a couple of new crew members for the next passage. Short attention spans but wow, are they cute!

Nice Wallpaper!

December 30, 2023

That’s what Cyndi said – “Nice new wallpaper on your phone.” Then she realized it was the anchor alarm screen.

Anchor alarm Screen on my phone at Oyama Beach.

What a stunning spot! It’s a rarity for us to find an anchorage shallower than 20 meters (66 feet) in Indonesia, let alone in such beautiful, clear water. Here, we’re anchored in just 4 meters (13 feet) of water above shimmering, bright sand. Plus, we’re off one of the most beautiful beaches with the softest sand we’ve ever run our toes through. Truly paradise.

And here’s the dilemma: we’d planned to go about 10 miles north today to another beach. Can it be as pretty as this? Will the anchorage be as good? Maybe but we really doubt it can be better than this, so why are we thinking of moving? Answer: we’ll probably just stay here another day or two!

Here’s an interactive Google map of where we are…

-Rich