Day 88

26/09/2009

Drove the 10 metres to the ferry port at 6:15 and stocked up on drinks while waiting for the ticket office to open.

Loading was chaotic, as a steady stream of handcarts and small vehicles went to and from the ferry loading allsorts of things bound for Flores. When the 9 vehicles actually making the journey drove aboard, the car deck was already half full.

During the crossing people spread mats across the car deck and slept, ate talked, entertained their children and of course took part in that Indonesian male pastime of cigarette smoking. And left all their rubbish behind.

We did get a brief glimpse of a dolphin swimming at the front of the ferry during the crossing.

The crossing took 7 hours and we then drove on across Flores until 8pm to get a flavour of the roads, which are narrow and twisty but not too busy. Free camping is limited but we did find a spot.

Tomorrow we hope to get to Ende to find the sailing date for the Timor ferry which we believe is only weekly and the day of week varies. This, along with the shipping from East Timor to Darwin, will have a major bearing on what we are able to do in Australia.

Lat 8 37.12 S
Long 120 22.26E
Town Lao (Flores)
Distance 24659km