Our 284 mile passage from Serutu Island to Mesanak Island was incredibly eventful! Let’s start with the fun stuff… Very little wind was predicted for over a week so we just decided set sails and to motor the whole way, with the exception of the major squall that brought 20+ knots of wind and when we flew our spinnaker for a bit. Sean on Cintana tried to haul his spinnaker up for the first time and Trevor was talking him through the steps over the vhf radio…it was like a Slow Flight pod cast (LOL). Kenobi was very close by Cinatana and they said it was like watching “Cintana TV”…including commercial breaks when Sean needed to talk to Trevor on the radio. It was pretty refreshing to not have groups of 50-60 fishing fleets around you to dodge…only large cargo ships and tugs with AIS.
On our 3rd night, October 25th, we were crossing the equator. Generally, once you cross the equator once, you, the sailor, become a “shellback” from a “pollywog”. Since Trevor and I had already crossed and made our offerings to Neptune (a tradition and ritual you perform when you cross for the first time) we decided to make it fun for SV Kenobi and SV Cintana since this crossing was their first. As shellback already…deemed by tradition, we could order them to do just about anything…but we were nice…at least in our opinions. An hour before we crossed Trevor got on the radio and told them to start preparing for the offering which included: Dressing up, doing a little dance, and finally the offering to Neptune (usually involves coins, a splash of alcohol, and whatever else you may have to offer him). It was perfect, all 3 boat lined up very close together (for photo opportunities of course) traveling about 4-5 knots so we could cross together. We had the sunset and a full moon…. it was perfect…and hilarious!
Slow Flight’s offering to Neptune…it doesn’t hurt to do it twice 
Trevor prepared a speech and was honorary judge and jury for the trial 
Full moon 
The 3 boats all lined up. Photo credit to Kenobi
I made Trevor dress up too…he didn’t put up much of a fight…. 
He even let me do a photo shoot! 
His good side?! 
Adorable ; )
SSV Kenobi – Steve and Donna…. 
I think Steve was excited lol
Sean was Tinkerbell…I love the creativity and his wings were just perfect! 
SV Cintana – Sean and Mar Cea
Sean was out of alcohol…as usual…and he needed some for the crossing. So Trevor threw him our last Guiness, Sean being Irish, thought this was appropriate : )
Trevor getting ready to throw beer into the sail 
Beer in mid-air 
Sean with his fishing net trying to catch the can of beer 
Success!!!!
Unfortunately shortly after this wonfderful display to Neptune…. Cintana’s engine stopped and wouldn’t start again after trying to dodge a line of floats in the middle of the night. I actually drove Slow Flight up to Cintana as Trevor, and his bag of tools, jumped off our railings and onto Cintana…….looking back at this event, I can’t even imagine what I was thinking…..being on the boat by myself, not knowing how I was going to get Trevor back on the boat….was terrifying! Trevor actually needed another tool from our boat and somehow I needed to get it to him aboard Cintana…..How the hell was I going to drive the boat close and then throw a tool to him?! Kenobi to the rescue…..Steve and Donna was able to drop their dinghy and motor so Steve picked up the tool from Slow Flight and dropped it off to Cintana…thankfully Steve returned Trevor to Slow Flight as well after Trevor was able to jump start Cintana’s engine. To boot, we all 3 boats were basically adrift and I happened to zoom out on our radar and saw a cargo ship headed toward us. I hailed them on CH 16 and with the second attempt received a response to let them know we all were a drift at the moment and was not able to move out of the ships current path and kindly asked him if they would alter course. They did, but they still came really close to us. Exhausted….everyone was up so nobody was able to really rest on their off shift so it was a long rest of the night……Sorry no photos.
When we arrived at Mesanak Island we were pleasantly surprised to surrounded by most of our favorite boats in the rally. We stayed for only 2 nights before moving on…. but it was packed with reuniting with people we haven’t seen in a month and of course a visit to the local town….20 minute dinghy ride away.
Massive fishing huts in the middle of the water……there were lots of them all around between the islands 
The towns pier where we put our dinghy’s
This village was half stilt village and half on land. We were told that there is a lot of trading history here. There was not much to town and no infrastructure…incredibly basic. 
It is times like these that you wonder how people live in these conditions but I tell you what…they do and they are HAPPY!!!!
Generally we like to support the local village by eating there and it’s a way to get to know some of the locals. We did find 1 place to eat lunch…there were 8 of us….We watched neighbors bring over plates and cups while these people tried to serve 8 dishes and drinks. We all had different demands, some wanted ice, some vegetables only….it is just amazing how this tiny village can whip up lunch and still do it with a smile on their face….something for all of us to think about..including me!
The Warung…. 
Our lunch audience 
Delicious and beautiful
We walked further into town to find a place to buy fresh food and saw this….. 
We found a store but because everyone seemed to be out of fresh food, we basically cleared this store out….We felt a little bad wondering if we just purchased the villages food…and when does the next shipment come in?! What do you do?
Internet was weak and would cut in/out or just be gone for hours…however….I got this very important message….. My little sister and husband, Jake, just had their daughter, Kyla Emiko Pipe…. I am an official Auntie?!
Welcome to this world Kyla Emiko Pipe!!! Can’t wait to meet you : )
A few nights here and we moved on to the official rally stop at Benan Island….up next….Halloween Indonesian style!
Baby Kyla!!! Congratulations, Lisa! And Auntie Kimi!
I believe you’re flaunting of Victoria secret clothing must stop! you are going to cause harm to their image. I did like your various poses, it shows real style. Dad D