I Can See Clearly Now

The rain has gone.  Well, almost.  August and September were very wet months and now we’re into October and the downpours are becoming less.  Our local centres of Waisai and Sorong have suffered some terrible flooding this year, which many locals blame on the amount of plastic garbage blocking the drains and waterways.  Who knows, maybe it’ll be the impetus the local government needs to take action?  One can only hope.

Glad that our rainy days are getting fewer

Ironically, just as the rain started to ease up was the time our watermaker pump decided to give up the ghost. The rain that we were cursing now became something that we prayed for while we waited for a replacement pump to arrive from Jakarta.  Luckily a couple of heavy showers were enough to keep our tanks full until our most recent trip to Sorong to collect the new pump. And now, thankfully, we’re back in business.

We can also see more clearly at night now, thanks to Bruce’s latest project – the installation of garden lights controlled by light sensors, meaning they automatically come on when it gets dark and go off in the daytime.  It makes moving from building to building at night a lot safer without the need for a torch.  And with only 1-watt bulbs they hardly use any power at all. It was a bit of a headache getting them installed and working properly but I think he’s now well and truly qualified for his sparky ticket!

Looking very resort-y indeed!

And staying with the theme of visual acuity, I wish we could see a little more clearly underwater – what with the terrible viz lately and our aging eyes it’s becoming quite a challenge to achieve good photos.  However, Bruce is enjoying his new camera (Canon R7) although it’s a much more complex beast than his previous Sony compact so there’s still lots to learn.  Despite the early days, I think you’ll agree he’s managed to produce some pretty stunning results:

Yours truly swimming with the fishes
Me trying to sneak up on a very large, and notoriously skittish, Bumphead parrotfish

I’ve also been branching out a little with my photography. For some reason the little nudibranchs have been very thin on the ground lately, so I’ve been playing with some wide-angle shots of soft corals and fish, and on one magical dive recently a couple of large bumphead parrotfish gave me an opportunity to practice my videography.  There’s always so much to learn!

In September, we were treated to a lovely visit by one of Nick’s best friends (also Nick) and his partner Tahitia. Unfortunately, they could only stay for a week, but the weather gods smiled and we had almost perfect conditions the whole time they were here.

Nick and Tahitia with the resident green turtle at Sawandarak
Looks like they’re having a terrible time doesn’t it?

We managed to fit in quite a few dives, including with the mantas which was pretty special as they often don’t make an appearance until later in the season. It was a great week and we loved having their company.  Seeing the place through their fresh eyes was also a valuable reminder to us about how magical and unique our setting is – much as we try, sometimes it’s hard not to get blasé about what we have here…

Otherwise, life continues to be pretty quiet and uneventful – just how we like it.  

My small little gardening enterprise is not exactly thriving, but I do have mint, basil, chillies and coriander growing hydroponically.  What I thought were capsicum plants have turned out to be jalapeno chillies (!), so it was the capsicums that didn’t survive our last trip away.  No problem, I’ll just have to plant some more.

This definitely looks more like a jalapeño than a capsicum!

And talking of surprises, I had a lovely one the other morning when I discovered one of our potted pineapple plants has produced a baby!! Mind you, it’s taken about 18 months and I don’t know if it will grow big enough to harvest, but it’s still an achievement of sorts and I felt like a very proud grandparent!

How exciting! A little homegrown pineapple

And on the parenting side, our only other company at present is a single Raja shelduck who’s decided to adopt us, so naturally we’ve christened him Nigel.  He comes by most days for a small handful of cooked rice and fresh water, and then spends the remainder of the day roosting on a low branch near our lounge room.  We assume he hasn’t yet found that special lady duck to spend the rest of his life with, so we’re happy to keep him company until that time comes…

Nigel the lonely duck on his favourite perch

The rest of the menagerie are still with us – Elvis the Palm cockatoo continues his daily beach walks to forage for beach almonds, the hermit crab population has exploded (so much so, that housing is now in short supply)

Sometimes you just have to make do with whatever you can get…

and we have regular visits from a juvenile coconut crab who can’t resist the aroma of BBQs or pizzas.  

He’s getting bold enough to come into the dining room now!

Morales even turned up the other day with a sulphur-crested cockatoo that he’d rescued from the local village, but we’re happy for him to stay on the other side of the bay – we’ve seen enough of those raucous, destructive birds in Australia! 

So from all of us here above and below the water – stay well and happy you lot, our love and greetings from peaceful Pulau Dayan.

6 Replies to “I Can See Clearly Now”

  1. I continue to be in awe of the life you’ve created. It so perfectly suits you and I love that you find joy in every tiny detail of your beautiful surroundings. Thank you so much for sharing the day to day with those of us who haven’t figured out how to beam ourselves there for a visit. We miss you lots!

    1. Thanks Marce! Boy, we miss you guys too, it will be wonderful when we can finally work out how to meet up! Actually, not too hard for you to get here from Malaysia – flight to Jakarta then another flight to Sorong and voila! I hope the dental work is successful and then you can have some play time xoxo

  2. Hi Bruce and Di
    Amazing photos once again from both of you.
    Looks like you couldn’t be more relaxed in your beautiful setting.
    Sorry to have missed you last time you were in Australia. You will have to visit Brisbane next time so we can catch up. Ron is still going to Sydney for a week a month but I don’t go as often now. Need to settle up here and make some new friends although I miss my Sydney friends..
    Went to W.A. with Julie and Penny and Rob and stayed with Marlene and Ray for a few days. Also did the cruise from Fremantle to Broome. It was fabulous.. Georgie is doing well and can you believe she’s five already? Ron always mentions how uncle Bruce helped choose her..
    We finally bought a powerboat a Sealine 42/5 and we are starting to enjoy that. Just in Morton Bay at the moment, but will venture further a field.
    Lots of love
    Jackie

    1. Hi Jackie, lovely to hear your news – it’s hard to believe little Georgie girl is five! Your cruise sounded wonderful and now that you have a powerboat I expect you’ll be out on the water more often. Will def try and get to Brisbane next year when we’re back, looking forward to seeing you both and your new home xx

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