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Silolona Yacht Charter, Explore the Inside of Indonesia
Visit the Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters Website To charter in Indonesia, the yacht must be Indonesian flag. Look around, there are very few, at least very few that are to the international standards of crewed yacht charter that we all expect. Silolona, and a "sistership" that is being built to be launched in July, are the best of the best for crewed yacht charter in Indonesia and this is a charter experience unlike any other and one not to be missed!  Another View of Silolona In spring, summer and fall, Silolona, 167' Phinisi sailing yacht, and also soon the "sistership" sail the waters of Indonesia. There are thousands of itineraries in this expansive bit of water, each a fascinating area to explore. Following are just a few of the varied areas in Indonesia where Silolona cruises on charter: Banda Islands: Home of the nutmeg and the Dutch East Indies Trading Company, revisit an exciting bit of history cruising through the Banda Islands in the Banda Sea  Up Close Shot of Nutmeg Komodo Archipelago: As a mostly a preserved national park, this string of islands are the only known home worldwide of the infamous Komodo Dragon, a 9 foot long lizard considered a possible remnant of Prehistoric times.  Komodo Dragon East Flores Archipelago: Sailing through slumbering or not so slumbering volcanoes in this beautiful area; visit villages where the women weave the Ikat Textiles and watch how this fascinating textile is woven, picking up a few originals, of course, to bring home right from the source.  Indonesia-Sumba Island villager weaving Ikat Textile And throughout this area are crystal clear waters with excellent snorkeling and diving, shelling or just long deserted beaches waiting to be explored. Ask about Silolona for your next charter. Labels: Asia / Indian Ocean
Myanmar Yacht Charter; Visiting the Moken Sea Gypsies
 Myanmar: Moken Boy Spear fishing An original sailing culture, be sure to visit the Moken Sea Gypsies when on charter in Myanmar in the Mergui Archipelago. This insular group number no more than two to three thousand and maintain a nomadic sea based life, sailing from island to island in homemade boats foraging for food. These Hunter Gatherers are descendent from an Austronesia ethnic group and still speak their own language and maintain their own way of life. In relative isolation, the Moken Sea Gypsies move throughout the area of western Thailand and eastern Myanmar in the Andaman Sea. However while they have been relatively isolated, the Moken still recognize a fellow sailor and welcome visitors from cruising charter yachts.  Asia: Moken Sea Gypsy House The Moken Sea Gypsies live in homemade boats called "kebang" that serve as kitchen, living quarters and transportation in their quest for food for survival. Food is gathered with nets and homemade spears. Any excess food caught is dried on the roof of their kebang and traded for certain necessities not provided from the land or sea. Moken people are said to have excellent underwater vision due to the amount of time spent diving for food, and can slow their heart rates to stay under water longer. In fact Moken children can generally swim before they can walk, a necessity perhaps for their life style.  Asia: Moken Sea Gypsy Village This group may also have fared better during the large Tsunami in this area in December 2004 due to their in depth generational knowledge of the surrounding seas that support their homes and their lives. There were several reports of Mokens who fled for higher ground by reading the natural signs. In fact they have a legend passed down through the Moken generations about the "Laboon", or the wave that eats people. In the legend the waters recede first and then a series of huge waves come in flooding the land, very similar to the way the December 2004 Tsunami came ashore. During the Tsunami in December of 2004,those Mokens ashore headed for the hills well in advance of the largest waves, and those Moken on their boats headed out to sea to ride out the largest waves. As tied as they are to the sea, their way of life could well have saved their lives. It is well worth a respectful visit with these people when on a yacht charter in their waters to see an age old sailing culture with more knowledge about the seas than most marine scientists. Contact Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charter For More Information! Labels: Asia / Indian Ocean
Yacht Charter Indonesia; Discovering the Ikat Textiles
Indonesia-Sumba Island villager weaving Ikat Textile Far over in the eastern part of Indonesia are a group of islands where the native villagers weave a specific type of textile, called Ikat. Traveling by charter yacht is one of the best ways to visit these islands to see these fascinating Ikat Textiles, the weaving methods, and some of the finest woven Ikat Textiles made. The textiles are woven by the village woman, but worn by all. Each piece is woven to tell a story and these woven textiles are really considered to the villagers to be the "Fabric of Life". Ikat textiles and the story they tell are an important part of village life and village ceremonies. And of course, the villagers are always looking for a little extra income and are happy to sell non ceremonial Ikat textiles to those interested in bringing home a story within the "Fabric of Life". A yacht charter from the island of Flores can include the weaving islands of Eastern Flores and the islands of East Timor, Savu and Sumba.  Indonesia-Sumba Island, Ikat Textile loom  Indonesia- Sumba Island Ikat Weaving Ikat weaving is a method of weaving to create stylized images on fabrics in order to tell a specific story. The word Ikat is derived from the ancient Malay word "mengikat" meaning "to tie". To create an Ikat Textile, the designs are literally dyed into areas left free that are not tied, to avoid the dye. In this lengthy process, the threads that are woven longitudinally, the warp, or the threads woven across laterally, the weft, are tied on the loom and those threads are dyed into patterns, by tying off the area not to be dyed and covering with a dye resistant natural fiber like raffia. Somewhat similar to the process of Batiking, to block color in Ikat weaving, dye resistant natural fibers are used rather than wax, and the process is done before weaving, and then repeated for each dye color. Once all dyes are used and the pattern is in place, the fabric is woven with the corresponding warp or weft, depending on which threads were initially dyed. In the most intricate patterns, called Double Ikat, both the warp and weft threads are tied off and dyed and then woven together.  Indonesia- Sumba Island - Ikat Weaving The method of Ikat weaving is handed down through the women in the villages from generation to generation and these textiles, and the story they tell, have a very important role in various village ceremonies. If, on your charter, you are also treated to a village ceremony in the Ikat Textile weaving area of Indonesia, the village ceremony participants will be dressed in their finest and most important Ikat woven fabrics. Sacred Textiles are thought to have protective powers. Stylized birds, animals, the Tree of Life and human figures are often found in the Ikat Textile for whatever important story is being told, and by the end of the weaving process, each Ikat Textile has a specific name relating to the story within the threads. Learning about this fascinating part of the culture of the Ikat Textile weaving villages in Indonesia is a great addition to any charter in this area. Contact Northrop and Johnson For More Information Labels: Asia / Indian Ocean
The Banda Islands; Home of Nutmeg
 Gunung Api Volcano These beautiful islands in the Banda Sea are rarely heard of these days, and yet are a lovely yacht charter destination with miles of pristine beaches and coral gardens for swimming, shelling, snorkeling and diving. Indeed, the Banda Islands were far more well known in the 15th Century than now, for it was in the 1400's that the Nutmeg was discovered growing on these islands, which quickly established these "Spice Islands" on the worldwide map. Soon a hotly contested location for the trading wealth that could be derived from harvesting the local cloves, nutmegs, and mace, in the 1600's the Dutch took control of the Banda Islands, and the East Dutch Indies Company was born. This trading company amassed a fortune for the Dutch owners from the trade worldwide of these highly sought after spices. And from the wealth derived from this spice trade, the Dutch entered in their Renaissance Era with the new merchant wealthy sponsoring such artists as Rembrandt. During this era, the trade of nutmegs for flavoring created the Dutch merchant wealth that supported the trade of tulip bulbs for beauty. Located north of Australia and east of Bali, as a part of the extensive area of Indonesia, chartering in the Banda Islands is a visit to a unique tropical location with a history that once impacted the world. Up Close Shot of Nutmeg  Traditional Indonesian Fishing Boat Some call the Banda Islands "Indonesia's Best Kept Secret", as this group of 10 volcanic islands are set off much to themselves and only reachable by yacht, ferry or the local domestic airlines in Indonesia. International air is not available into the Banda Islands, so a flight into Denpassar is necessary with an onward flight into Ambon in the Banda Islands.  Scuba Diving in Indonesia- Urchins and Eel There you will cruise through crystal clear waters surrounding this group of islands still dotted with Dutch colonial architecture and the remains of nutmeg plantations. The scenery is stunning, with the largest natural focus the volcano of Gunung Api (Fire Mountain) with a wonderful interior lagoon. The scenery on land, across the water and under the water is spectacular and includes long white beaches, miles of crystal clear waters, and the underwater Maluka Sea Gardens. Hard to get to, and very hard to leave, these islands are well worth the time and effort for a yacht charter to a small beautiful remote area with a once large worldwide impact
Contact Northrop and Johnson Today for More InformationLabels: Asia / Indian Ocean
Silolona, Myanmar, Yacht Charter
Visit the Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters WebsiteSilolona is one of the few yachts that has worked out clearance into Myanmar (ex Burma) to charter the Mergui Archipelago. This area has been closed in general since after World War II until about 10 years ago, when diving companies began to gain entrance along the coast for diving trips in the pristine coral gardens in these waters. Virtually untouched, there are fabulous diving and snorkeling spots, wide beautiful white coral sand beaches, filled with huge shells. Most of the islands are uninhabited, however there are a few villages, and of course, the Moken Sea Gypsies.  Silolona, 167' modern Phinisi built along traditional lines is one of the few yachts chartering in these waters. The season is during the winter months, and the dates book up quickly. Silolona has 5 guest staterooms, each with ensuite bath, and a crew of 17, standing by to take care of every need. There is an on board Dive Instructor who can take even a novice through diving courses, an on board Masseuse. Every time you return to the yacht from a sea or land venture, you will be met by your deck crew with freshly made fruit juices and a cool wash cloth steeped in essence of lemon grass.  Food on board is beautifully prepared by Chef Bobbie, who is culinary trained and provides a combination of Indonesian, Thai, Indian, French and spa cuisine. And if Sashimi and Sushi are of interest, there is a never ending supply of fresh fish caught that transforms into an appetizer with pickled ginger and sesame soy sauce in minutes.  Contact us today for more information on this very interesting and unique charter experience. Labels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets
Silolona Cruise Komodo Archipelago- More News
Visit Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charter's Website Komodo Island The Komodo Archipelago was different than expected. Having flown into Bali, where the vegatation is lush and tropical, arrival in the Komodo Archipelago found a dryer landscape. It was similar to the Mexican Baja Peninnsula, with beautiful rock formations, striated with mineral layers suggesting copper and iron ores, amongst several, probably embedded in the rock.
The beaches were white coral sand, littered with many shells, including large shells and large clam shells, coveted in other locations. Underwater, snorkeling was excellent, with the neon blue violet clam mouths undulating in the live clams as they syphoned algea for survival.
In the afternoon, we took a dinghy ride, visited an Indonesian fisherman in his dugout canoe, fishing to support his 9 daughters. In Indonesia the fisherman dress is the sarong, however, when approached by visitors, the polite thing to do is dress in pants, a shirt and hat and bow. Our fisherman quickly changed, bowed, and chatted with us, with his line over the side. We then visited a local pearl operation. There are many pearl farms in this area, this farm was just starting. Several in the group went diving, with great reports after, and several went swimming and snorkeling. In the evening, it was off to fish again, with the prize a large tuna, quickly made into sashimi, and the local coconut milk raw fish salad. Fresh Caught Tuna  (a picture of the fresh sashimi served for dinner can be veiwed in the previous post) Visit Northrop and Johnson's WebsiteLabels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets, Office News and Events
Silolona Cruise, Village Ceremonies
Visit Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charter's Website We were thrilled at the end of our charter and back in Bali to be treated, just us, to a private village ceremony dance in the Ubud area.
The Owner of Silolona arranged this for us, due to her strong relationship with this village and many other villages throughout Indonesia, where the Owner of Silolona has been accepted as an adopted family member.
This gives us, as guests on board Silolona, entry into exceptional cultural events that have been practiced for centuries.
The Fire Dance, is danced by the boys and the men of the village. It is essentially an age old story as enacted as a war between the "Good Monkeys" and the "Bad Monkeys", somewhat similar in concept to a Morality Play, teaching all the morals of better human behavior. And in some manner teaching "Be careful what you wish for", as the Bad Monkey overcomes the Good Monkey, however is then extremely remorseful for his behavoir and repents, as, we find out, the Good Monkey is actually the brother of the Bad Monkey. In following his lust for power, the Bad Monkey has killed his own brother.
 Fire Dance Bad Monkey (Above) and Good Monkey (Below) 
Children are taught this and other ceremonial dances as they grow into adults, continuing the traditions of this very culturally rich area.
On arrival, we were greeted by the village boys, dressed in their village sarongs, each holding a lit torch. We were paraded to the ceremonial dance area surrounded by the village boys and their torches.
 Village Boy Illuminating the Cerimony with a Fire torch
The dance began including the men and boys, all dressed in their village sarongs and holding fire torches for illumination. The Good Monkey and the Bad Monkey each had a group of followers and through movement and chanting enacted the story through to the end, including fire balls that were thrown between the two sides.
 Fire Dance: Fire Balls
Overall, it was a thrilling event to be well remembered, and an honor to have this village provide us this private showing of one of their cultural dances.
Labels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets, Office News and Events
Silolona Cruise - Special Activities Onboard
Visit Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charter's WebsiteCraft Lessons Have you ever wondered how those hats, mats and other items are made from woven palm leaves? Well, on board Silolona, we had a lesson from Syam in weaving palm leaf birds.
Syam had gathered and prepared the palm leaf pieces, which are a palm frond, with the individual fingers separated and cut down to the tender pieces. Step by Step, Syam showed us how to create a woven bird, somewhat like the natural world of Origami. In Indonesia, palm frond decorations are made for every event, including decorating temples, for ceremonies, and as decorations for events or family fun. A wide variety of palm frond decorations are made and were made for us throughout the week to provide festive decorations.
 Craft Lessons Cooking Lessons
One afternoon we were very lucky to be the recipients of a cooking lesson from Chef Bobby. Setting up all of the ingredients on deck, along with a deck barbecue, Bobby took us through step by step as he made several Sambals, and also a sate, wrapped around lemon grass. We all participated, mixed and, of course, the final and best, ate the results.
 Cooking Lessons
Sambals, considered the outcome of a marriage between African and Southeast Asian cuisines, are a integral part of Indonesian cuisine. Usually including a sweet, sour, spicy and herbal element, along with garlic and onion, Sambals vary widely between areas of Indonesia and, of course, between whoever is preparing the Sambal as everyone has their favorite mixture or combination.
Spa Treatments
Indonesia is a land of natural herbs, spices and beauty. The culture plays close attention to what we now call "Spa Treatments". Massage with herbal body scrubs has long been a part of local culture. Another afternoon, a combination of natural body scrubs were packed into a picnic basket for us and off to the beach we went, along with our tea caddy, with green tea waiting to be brewed after our scrub, with cinnamon and star anise.
After settling in on the beach with our towels and tea caddy, we opened the picnic basket to find coconut serving shells filled with fresh avocado and ground coffee, fresh shaved coconut, and ground coconut, green tea and white tea powder, ready to be mixed with mineral water. We, or course, mixed and tried them all, with the provided shell spoons, exfoliating all of our limbs and faces and then allowing the green and white tea to dry and heal our skin from sun and salt. Once dry, we swam in the clear ocean waters, letting all wash off of our bodies, leaving clean, soft glistening skin. Back to shore, we relaxed and hydrated our bodies with hot green tea, before returning to Silolona, relaxed and scrubbed.
Read about the next day's adventuresVisit Northrop and Johnson's WebsiteLabels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets, Office News and Events
Silolona Charter - Beach Barbeque and Ceremonial Dinner
Visit Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charter's WebsiteComing into a lovely anchorage, without any other boats, or people around, Silolona was anchored and the crew went ashore to create a fabulous Beach Barbecue.
On the beach were umbrellas arranged around sun pads, chairs, and tables, decorated with beach found shells, votives, driftwood, and palm leaf woven decorations. Holes were dug in the sand surrounding the area, and placed down in the holes were lit torches. Votives were placed in sea shells, and inside hanging paper lanterns across the cliff front behind the beach. A cookfire was created and the crew were waiting with all of their instruments to play beach music, for songs and dancing. First, however we lit fires under large paper wishing balloons. When the hot air filled the paper funnels, wishes were made and our wishing balloons sailed off into the night carrying all wishes into the universe.
 Beach Barbeque
Kadek and Victor had set up a bar and served cocktails, wine and beer and soft drinks in glasses with cloth napkins. This was a beach barbecue with 5 star service! Chef Bobby and crew brought ashore the food and cooked everything over the open driftwood fire, which gave all that lovely open air fire flavor, which is hard to find. We had fresh grilled tuna, smoked chicken, lamb and beef kabobs, a lovely curry, sticky rice, and grilled vegetables. Fresh grilled bread and fruit rounded out a lovely beach dinner.
After dinner, we had more singing and dancing with the crew playing the instruments and singing local traditional songs. And finally, Kadek treated us to a fire baton dance, with the twirling fire baton, a skill he has been practising and perfecting. At the end the full tired group went back to Silolona to snuggle into our staterooms dreaming of fresh baked croissants for breakfast.
 Fire Baton Dance
On our final night on board, we were all off swimming, or snorkeling or diving, and meanwhile, the crew transformed the top deck into a ceremonial dinner table and lounging area. Each crew wore the traditional clothing from their village and area of Indonesia. As Indonesia is at least 3500 miles wide, there is a wide variety to local traditions and clothing. The area and tables were decorated with flowers, palm leaf woven decorations and swathed in black and white checkered cloth symbolizing in Bali, the balance of opposites.
 Ceremonial Dinner Onboard
Again, we were treated to song and dance from the crew, and after being seated at our ceremonial table, the crew appeared in single file, each with a dish, that might be part of a ceremonial buffet, serving us each with a bit from each dish as they circled the table. We were treated to a wide variety of traditional foods, all of which were special and excellent. This was truly and experience to remember.
Read about the next day's adventuresVisit Northrop and Johnson's WebsiteLabels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets, Office News and Events
Silolona Cruise - Komodo Archipelago- Visiting the Local Villagees
Each morning when we awoke we made our way into the main salon to start the day. We were greeted by Kadek and Victor standing by to see what eye opener we wanted ranging from Balinese coffee, espressos, cappuccino, green tea, black tea choices, and hot chocolate.
Hot baked croissants were laid out on the buffet, along with fresh butter and home made fruit jams, made from the local fruits, which varied from mango to kiwi jam and even a lime ginger jam. A selection of fresh fruits always accompanied the hot croissants. After assauging some hunger with croissants and fruit, we were offered our choice of cooked breakfasts from an extensive menu, including western choices of any type of egg, bacon, omelet, and various potato options. There were also Indonesian choices such as fried noodles, and sticky black rice pudding with coconut milk, (which was a favorite). And of course, granola and thick homemade yogurts.
Breakfast Spread and Table Setting 
After breakfast, we went into the local Komodo village to visit. Permission had to be asked of the Elder to visit, as the Elder is responsible for all in his village, incluidng us while visiting. The children, gathered around, all wanting their picture taken. We had washable felt tipped pens and drew "tattoos" on them all, culminating in a group song sung for us, led by Nasir the Chief Carpenter on board Silolona and builder of Silolona.
"Poppa" invited us into his home and we visited sitting on the mats placed out for visitors. The typical home was up on stilts in case of Tsunami. The area under the house, in the shade, is used for daily work and home to the household animals. Up inside the house, accessed by steps onto a porch and into the main room, is a seating and living area, with sleeping areas partitioned off in the back, along with the kitchen. The kitchen had a raised wood burning fire pit, on which the main cooking is done.
Industry in the village, consisted mainly of carving beautiful replicas of Komodo Dragons in various sizes and poses, out of the local woods to sell at the Ranger Station at the National Park. Villagers also use various pearls in the area to string into necklaces, and, of course, some fish and dry fish. "Poppa" showed us his carved Dragons and the tools he used to carve with, which were all hand made. Return from the village was arranged by the villagers, who ferried us out to our tender by small dugout canoe.
I returned to Silolona for a deep tissue massage on the aft deck by Musri, who is also a ship carpenter and guest tender driver. Musri is a talented masseuse, who used local oils and with herbs and spices in his massage.
As darkness fell, we headed for "cocktail hour" in the tenders to watch the fruit bats take off for their night time hunting. Chef Bobby packed us picnic baskets with appetizers and a full selection of cocktail choices as we cruised to a mangrove cay off of the island. As dusk fell, hundreds of fruit bats with the little fox like faces, started to stir and circle. As the sun set, they whirled together in a great cloud and took off, toasted by us with our cocktails, as they set off for another night of hunting.
We then returned to an excellent dinner on board under the stars. Read about the next day's adventuresLabels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets, Office News and Events
Silolona Charter - Chartering a Yacht with Children Onboard- Children's Activities
Visit Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charter's WebsiteClients are always asking me if a yacht that they are looking at is "child friendly". Families do want to charter together, and cruising on a yacht can be an excellent venue for family time. A charter offers a moving hotel room, family meals together, and a myriad of fun activities for all age groups. Children can swim, snorkel, and play on the beach, shelling or building sand castles. Being towed behind the ship's tender on an intertube or banana offers hours of water fun. Hiking, exploring and beach games are available at the turn of a corner into the next anchorage.
Many yachts, like Silolona, that are "child friendly" also organize onboard fun for children of all ages. Maybe the crew will go ashore and create a Treasure Hunt, complete with a Treasure Map, and buried Treasure. Silolona has created a full "pirate raid", with pirate boarding (crew members dressed as pirates), stealing the on board Treasure that must be found and recaptured by the younger guests.
 Dressing Up Onboard On our recent cruise on Silolona, Guia, an 11 year old young lady from Italy, was on board. The crew entertained her with "dressup" in traditional sarongs and Indian Sari's, henna tattoos and even stick on "jewels", turning Guia into a lovely exotic girl, perhaps a princess or dancer. Another day, picture frames were pulled out with a glue gun and Kadek helped Guia decorate the edges of a picture frame with found beach treasures to take home for her own customized Indonesian slice of life.
Craft Lessons Are charters "child friendly"? For the most part, a resounding YES. Read about the next day's adventuresVisit Northrop and Johnson's WebsiteLabels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets, Office News and Events
Silolona Cruise Komodo Archipelago- Seeing the Komodo Dragon
Yes, the Komodo Archipelago is the home of the infamous Komodo Dragon. Left from prehistoric times to survive on this island, the Komodo Dragon still roams Komodo Island and several other nearby islands in the area. Counting at 5,400 now, the Komodo Dragon is protected and part of the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park.
Komodo National Park
Komodo Dragons can grow over 9 feet in length, are part of the reptile family and are carniverous and can be aggressive. While apparently, they prefer deer, humans have lost their lives to the Dragons, including local villagers. The Komodo Dragon has a series of teeth buried under their gums filled with bacteria. When attacking, the Komodo Dragon bites into their victim and death is usually caused from infection from the bite.
Komodo Dragons generally eat once every few weeks and lie in wait for their prey at local watering holes. Other animals on the island are water buffalo, deer, wild pigs, and various other smaller animals, all of which satisfy a hungry Dragon.
 Komodo Dragon
We walked trails with the Park Ranger, a young man from Sumatra, who carried a long wooden stick with him, forked at the end. The stick is used to push the forked ends into a Komodo Dragon's sensative nostrils, if they aggressively rush. We saw a variety of wild and bird life and 4 Komodo Dragons, all looking quite satiated, thank goodness.
After our adventure at the Komodo National Park, we returned to Sililona to enjoy a delicious dinner that started with Corn Soup, followed by Roast Duck and a lovely banana chocolate dessert.
Read about the next day's adventuresLabels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets, Office News and Events
Silolona Charter - Beach Barbeque and Ceremonial Dinner
Visit Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charter's WebsiteComing into a lovely anchorage, without any other boats, or people around, Silolona was anchored and the crew went ashore to create a fabulous Beach Barbecue.
On the beach were umbrellas arranged around sun pads, chairs, and tables, decorated with beach found shells, votives, driftwood, and palm leaf woven decorations. Holes were dug in the sand surrounding the area, and placed down in the holes were lit torches. Votives were placed in sea shells, and inside hanging paper lanterns across the cliff front behind the beach. A cookfire was created and the crew were waiting with all of their instruments to play beach music, for songs and dancing. First, however we lit fires under large paper wishing balloons. When the hot air filled the paper funnels, wishes were made and our wishing balloons sailed off into the night carrying all wishes into the universe.
Beach Barbeque
Kadek and Victor had set up a bar and served cocktails, wine and beer and soft drinks in glasses with cloth napkins. This was a beach barbecue with 5 star service! Chef Bobby and crew brought ashore the food and cooked everything over the open driftwood fire, which gave all that lovely open air fire flavor, which is hard to find. We had fresh grilled tuna, smoked chicken, lamb and beef kabobs, a lovely curry, sticky rice, and grilled vegetables. Fresh grilled bread and fruit rounded out a lovely beach dinner.
After dinner, we had more singing and dancing with the crew playing the instruments and singing local traditional songs. And finally, Kadek treated us to a fire baton dance, with the twirling fire baton, a skill he has been practising and perfecting. At the end the full tired group went back to Silolona to snuggle into our staterooms dreaming of fresh baked croissants for breakfast.
Fire Baton Dance
On our final night on board, we were all off swimming, or snorkeling or diving, and meanwhile, the crew transformed the top deck into a ceremonial dinner table and lounging area. Each crew wore the traditional clothing from their village and area of Indonesia. As Indonesia is at least 3500 miles wide, there is a wide variety to local traditions and clothing. The area and tables were decorated with flowers, palm leaf woven decorations and swathed in black and white checkered cloth symbolizing in Bali, the balance of opposites.
Ceremonial Dinner Onboard
Again, we were treated to song and dance from the crew, and after being seated at our ceremonial table, the crew appeared in single file, each with a dish, that might be part of a ceremonial buffet, serving us each with a bit from each dish as they circled the table. We were treated to a wide variety of traditional foods, all of which were special and excellent. This was truly and experience to remember.
Read about the next day's adventureVisit Northrop and Johnson's WebsiteLabels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets, Office News and Events
FAM Trip on Silolona to Komodo Archipelago-Arrival
View Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charter's WebsiteMissy Johnston of Northrop and Johnson Yacht Charters just returned from a 10 day trip to Indonesia to cruise the Komodo Archipelago on Silolona. Silolona is a traditional Indonesian gaff rigged Phinisi, built new, with modern conveniences along the line of the traditional age old Phinisi trading vessel that has plied the waters of Indonesia for many years.
From Newport, Rhode Island, Indonesia is a plane flight, requiring a flight first from Boston to Chicago, Chicago to Tokyo and Tokyo to Denpassar, where we spent a night before flying again the next morning to the Indonesian Island of Abubanbajo where, after landing, we drove to the little town of Flores to the seaside where Silolona was anchored. Coming on board, we were greeted by all 17 crew members, a local hail through a conch shell, along with the call of Silolona, rendered by Goris in traditional dress. Along with the 17 crew, we were also greeted with ice cold wash clothes, scented with lemon grass, and tall iced drinks of local juices with mint and a tall spoon carved out of coconut. Throughout the week, this wonderful tradition of scented cold wash clothes and fruit juices continued everytime we returned back on board from some adventure or other.
 Sailing in Traditional Sarongs
Silolona has 5 deluxe staterooms, each named for one of the fabled Spice Islands and decorated with original art from that island's culture. Each stateroom has a double bed and side settee, that can also be used as a single bed. The large ensuite bathroom, has a separate shower, with plenty of hot water. The bath products are locally made natural soaps and shampoos.
After settling in, we set sail for a quiet anchorage in the Komodo Archipelago and beach time. Our luggage had all been marked at the airport and was waiting in our staterooms. Before sailing, our full crew was introduced to us, and we learned where in Indonesia each one was from and their crew position on board. While we sailed, lunch appeared on deck, first announced with fresh sashimi, pickled ginger and soysauce with sesame seeds. Lunch then started with a chilled green grape gaspacho topped with guacamole, followed by grilled fresh fish and a lovely lemon sorbet, accompanied by a New Zealand Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc.
On arrival in our evening anchorage, the crew zipped ashore to set up beach umbrellas, lounging cushions, and beach towels anchored with local shells found on the beach. We had each earlier been sized for snorkel gear and fins, which was placed in a personalized bag and all snorkelers' bags were beachside waiting. Several of the group went off in one of the ship's tenders on a fishing expedition, returning with a lovely yellowfin tuna, that again was the evening starter as fresh sashimi.
 Fresh Sashimi
(View the Fresh Caught Tuna Picture in the following post)
Bobby, our Chef has a varied trained background in local Indonesian, Thai and Indian foods, along with western techniques. The menus throughout the week touched on local, Thai, Japanese, Western and Indian Cuisines. There was always a fresh fish appetizer, local nuts for cocktails, a first course, main course and dessert. Each accompanied by a good wine and fresh baked breads.
After swimming, and snorkeling, we settled in for dinner on deck under the stars, served by Kadek and Victor with elegant personal service and off to bed we went.
Recipe from Bobby for cocktail nuts Fresh roasted peanuts (on board Silolona the raw peanuts are shelled and roasted) sugar to coat red pepper sprinkled over Kafir lime leaves roughly torn and sprinkled over
Mix the sugar, red pepper and Kafir lime leaves to taste, spread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until the sugar mixed with red pepper has melted, covering the peanuts with a hot sweet coating infused with kafir lime leaf escense. Read about the next day's adventuresVisit Northrop and Johnson's WebsiteLabels: Asia / Indian Ocean, Featured Gulets, Office News and Events
Charter Indonesia and Myanmar
Missy Johnston is heading off to Denpassar in early September to sail on board Silolona, 164' gaff rigged traditional sailing yacht called a Phinisi. Silolona charters throughout Indonesia in the Spring and Summer including the Suva Sea, home of the Komodo Dragon, and the Banda Sea, birthplace of the East Indies Dutch Trading company. Nutmeg was the main export from the Banda Islands in the 16th and 17th centuries and the only place where nutmeg was grown. The East Indie s Dutch Trading company and nutmeg importation helped establish a very wealthy economy in the Netherlands which fostered the Renaissance of Dutch artists. Myanmar, once called Burma, is a re-opening cruising area for the western world. The Myanmar Archipelago is filled with islands, beautiful coral, and outstanding beaches. Myanmar is also home to the Moki Sea Gypsies, a nomadic culture, of hunters and gatherers, that live on their home made boats in clusters or "towns" and move from island to island in search of food. Silolona charters in both areas, for an experience of a lifetime. Labels: Asia / Indian Ocean
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