Release date 11/12/2023

 Released this message inside the point Judith pond in Rhode Island.

https://strava.app.link/HUFRGe35HEbhttps://strava.app.link/HUFRGe35HEb

We paddled from the very head of the pond out to the breakwater on the ocean had a few beers and came back again It was a brisk day but not too cold once we got moving.

The day before we went out with a big group of Rhode Island paddlers and did the rocks around Newport but I could not find a bottle so I did the message on Sunday.

Saturday paddling

https://youtu.be/quGGAECbBTw?feature=shared

Truth: sometimes you get too much.

Release Date 10/5/2023

 Went for a paddle on the East River from Red Hook up to Roosevelt Island. 

See the Strava Track here.

We timed it for current assist in both directions.

It was surprising to see the amount of development along the Brooklyn and Queens shorline.

This place looks really interesting! A glamping hotel in shipping containers and weird tents.

We climbed over the railing to get a drink at a waterfront restaurant, but they sent us packing. 

Truth: Things arent always in the right place.

Release Date 5/18/2023

 I paddled up to Gilli Meno, then back again 2 days later.

On the trip out I left a bit after 10:00am, and it got quite windy, but the wind was at my back and I even surfed a bit on the wind waves.

Strava trip out

Strava trip back

I had a bit of confusion finding my hotel Two brothers bungalows but I figured it out.

On the paddle back I left before 6:30 am.   It was just beautiful so quiet and peaceful. It was so calm I took a large ferry angle and ended up at a cool blowhole that I want to try and reach from a beach snorkel.

Truth: it helps to ask

Release Date 5/9/2023

Oh dear I have been very negligent on MIB posting. I have had a number of kayak and diving adventures but neglected to post them.

 I did a paddle up the coast to an area i have been to a few times.

See my Strava track here:

Strava

I am planning/practicing for my trip to the Gilli Islands.

I saw some guys spearfishing right near my launch at Scuba Froggy and they had taken some big Spanish Mackerel. I never see any fish near there, but maybe they are running now I should try again. 

Also so what looks like some nice reef just north of the blue greek style hotel. Looks like good coral and really cool undercut rock in the water. 

I stopped for lunch and had to wait out a torrential downpour. No pictures because i was afraid the phone would get wet!

Truth: Rain moves slow.

Release date 10/24/2022

 I released this message between Lelei and Guraici islands in Indonesia. 

We took a small fast ferry boat out there. It had 4, 40hp 2-stroke enduro yamaha motors on it. They were tiller steered motors with tiller throttle and hand gear shifts on the side of the motors. They were then jury rigged to a steering system that allowed them to be steered with a steering wheel from above, while the throttle and gear changes had to be done by hand down below, so it took a minium of 2 people to drive it. Weird and crude, but effective...

I was diving and exploring the area.  

This is a very beautiful and undeveloped part of Indonesia the diving is much better than in Lombok where we live.  Hardly anyone goes here, and even though the local people do a lot of fishing the reefs seem very healthy.  

I saw tons of fish and beautiful coral while free diving and scuba diving.  The water is warm and visibility is excellent.  It's far off the beaten path.  

Truth: there is a big difference between 4 and 6. 

Update 2022/11/09

To visit these islands see the contact details on this instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/torangguraici.trip/

You might consider staying at the home of Mr. Abjan Armmain in Lelei village.  This is where we stayed and it was clean and comfortable:

Phone number: +62 81 3568 83252

Release Date 9/28/2022

 I brought my kayak back to scuba froggy where they let me store it. The sketchiest part of the trip is towing it down there on my motor scooter.

It was pretty windy with the wind from the south west so I had quite a bit of weather cocking on the way up there. 

At one point two local fishermen on the shore or gesturing wildly for me to come over to them so I did. One guy kept pointing in the water eventually I figured out what he wanted  he had lost his floating bait container and his bait. It was a little dicey in the surf but I picked it up paddled over and threw it to him on the rocks. He was super happy and appreciative.

I didn't want to go too far because I knew I'd have to pedal against the wind on the way back. I found a cool little isolated cove just to myself.

After lunch I did a bit of snorkeling and free diving there was a bit of coral but not many fish.  

Truth: waiting is difficult

On the way back the boat took on a lot of water. The hatches leak and the bulkheads do as well so I ended up sitting in the water I can feel the boat getting heavier and feel the water around my legs but I made it back to the shore. I was pretty tired by the time I was done. 

Release Date 7/10/2022

 I was Scuba Diving off of Belongas Bay with Wild Scuba Indonesia  at the famous Magnet dive site.

This is a great company and they offer really exciting diving in big seas and current at these very special dive sites. 

We were hoping to find the hammerhead sharks, but they weren't around. Apparently it is still a bit too warm. I dove here on the 10th and 9th. We saw lots of cool pelagic fish including Tunas and a Huge school of barracuda. 

It was very rough, waves were at least 6ft trough to crest and I got a bit seasick on the ride out and especially the ride back. I could only do 2 dives and went in early because of the sea sickness. 

We stayed on Gili Ashran which was long drive, but it was nice to stay on these mellow islands, and the drive across the southern part of Lombok is really nice.

Truth Italian Food is Good.