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Posted By:
Hal Brown
Date Posted:
May 3, 2014
Description:
Overnight the SuRi relocated to a new site in Aljui Bay on Waigeo Island. It is one of the “four kings” (or “raja ampat”). The others island kings are Misool, Salawti, and Batanta.
The plan for the day included diving, a visit to a pearl farm, and SeaRey flying. After the fantastic flying of the previous day, I was focused only on the flying part.
Date Taken:
May 3, 2014
Place Taken:
Aljui Bay, Waigeo Island, Indonesia
Owner:
Dan Nickens
File Name:
Almost_In.jpg - Photo HTML
Full size - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZDU90000h">
Medium - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZDU90000m">
Thumbnail - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZDU90000s">
Category:
549, Yacht Tending Indo
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Click on photo to view the original size. |
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Read what others had to say:
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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The bay was not as protected as the beautiful water of the day before. There were some floating obstacles to circumnavigate, including this native canoe.
| | Attachments:
Native Craft
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Dan Nickens - May 07,2014
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Here's one of Matt's videos showing the SeaRey coming back to SuRi.
| | Attachments:
Back to SuRi
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Don Maxwell - May 07,2014
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Nice landing. Remarkably smooth sea, too. How do you get passengers on and off the SeaRey? From a dinghy? Or is there a secret SeaRey dock somewhere?
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Dan Nickens - May 08,2014
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No secret SeaRey dock, Don, it's all done by the rubber ducky...er, dingy.
| | Attachments:
Quiet End
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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Though SuRi’s parking spot was much more open, there was no wind in the morning. The water was practically glassy. There were none of the usual open ocean swells.
| | Attachments:
Smooth Planing
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Frank A. Carr - May 04,2014
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The float's a tell-tale: you weigh less than I!
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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The ridges were nicely rippled, but the scenery lacked the interlaced turquoise passages of Wayag Island. It was a different kind of nice.
| | Attachments:
Rippled Ridges
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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After a quick test flight, the SeaRey was ready for passengers. They were out diving. Figures. Great water, no customers
| | Attachments:
Smooth Blues
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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When the guests are out, the crew queue for SeaRey flights. That’s what I love about this gig: somebody always wants to fly!
| | Attachments:
Flying through Blues
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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You don’t have to be careful with crew. You can take them on slip sliding skid-fests on glassy water. There was plenty of mirrored water in the back bays of the big island.
| | Attachments:
Island Blues
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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What Waigeo lacked in dramatic islets, it made up for it with beautifully flat water in the many coves and small straits woven into the main island.
| | Attachments:
Reflecting Blue
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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Sometimes (rarely) the aircraft owner decides he wants to have some of the fun for himself. When he does, a lot of watchful waiting happens. He’s good, but I don’t share well. What if he figures out he doesn't need a second SeaRey pilot?
| | Attachments:
Boss Break
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Frank A. Carr - May 04,2014
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What is the item crawling over the cooler on top? A lizard? A GoPro/Equivalent?
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Dan Nickens - May 04,2014
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I hope it's not crawling. That's the lifting attachment, Frank.
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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There was some disappointment among the guests when it was discovered that the pearl farm was closed for an Easter holiday. Sure, most of Indonesia is Muslim, but in the Raja Ampat area there is a significant population of Christian and native Animists.<br /><br />The Indonesian constitution expressly provides for “freedom of religion” but then lists only six that are officially recognized. Animism isn’t one of them. To fill in the blank on individual identification cards, some of the animists just fill in “Hindu”.<br /><br />Anyway, I digress. The local pearl farm recognizes the Monday after Easter as a holiday. The SuRi fell back on plan B for entertainment: a beach BBQ. After recovering my SeaRey, I scooted over to scout out the location.<br />
| | Attachments:
Beach Break
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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The beach BBQ required relocation to the southwestern side of Waigeo Island where there were numerous little islands with shallow, sandy places.
| | Attachments:
Shallow Shades of Blue
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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The new area was not totally wilderness. There was a small island village 15 km distant. The great thing was reaction of people to the SeaRey. Instead of glares from elitist canoers, it inspired wild waving and welcome gesturing.<br /><br />
| | Attachments:
Local Life
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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The crew started setting up for the beach BBQ. With the guests away on another dive, there was time to take another SeaRey beach break.
| | Attachments:
Party Place
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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Just so you don't have to wonder if it is real, Dennis, here is some video. You can't fake video, right?
| | Attachments:
Dion's Drone View
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Dennis Scearce - May 03,2014
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I believe, I believe!! Just never imagined anyone lived like this. They must not have worked for a public utility.
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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Whew! Thank you. I'm running out of video here. And I know what you mean. I can't believe it myself.
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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Bad planning? No, the tide didn’t come in. The beach seats were intentionally set in ankle deep warm water. This would be a great setup for “cooling your heels” except the water was warm.
| | Attachments:
Wet Floor
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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Sandra is SuRi’s chief stewardess. She took time out from her busy beach party prep to pose with the SeaRey.
| | Attachments:
SeaRey Host
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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Idling away the afternoon on the beach might be considered a waste of some good flight time. After six hours flight time, seventeen splashes and eight passengers, though, the SeaRey was ready for a break. Besides, did I mention there was BBQ?
| | Attachments:
Late Beaching
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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The SuRi called to take the SeaRey back aboard at any time. It was an early departure from the party, but a slow ride to the boat.
| | Attachments:
Twilight Taxi
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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With the beach party well underway, the crew was in no hurry. The loading crew was willing to wait for the SeaRey. There was time to idle around the weird rocks in the golden crepuscular glow.
| | Attachments:
Ragged Rock
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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Whatzthat! A convoy of two ocean-going prehistoric beasts? Hmmmm. Maybe I was a bit giddy from a long fine day and a touch of jet lag.
| | Attachments:
Ragged Pair
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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I waited until the latest possible time in the last light before bringing the SeaRey in to roost for the evening. What I need are floating lights to lay out a watery runway for extended operations.
| | Attachments:
Caught in Lights
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Dave Edward - May 03,2014
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Absolutely fantastic....once again. Lynn and I sitting here <br />drooling over your pictures, and your prose. Thank you so much <br />for taking us along on your beautiful voyage.<br />Question....where are the registration marks on the a/c ?
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Dan Nickens - May 03,2014
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It's a pleasure, Dave. The registration marks? Would you believe lost in the glare of the floodlights? How about faded in the tropical sun? Okay, well, really, the numbers on the hull. Honest. It passed inspection too ('....registration markings shall be in contrasting colors...'). Gray contrasts with white, right? Es verdad.
| | Attachments:
Rego
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Frank A. Carr - May 04,2014
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Dan, do you log the lifts and puts? Looks harder on the airframe than flying<br />
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Dan Nickens - May 04,2014
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Harder than flying? Hmmm. I'd be surprised. The crane is pretty gentle compared to smacking into big ocean swells!
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Philip Mendelson - May 04,2014
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how large of ocean swells do you brave?
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Dan Nickens - May 04,2014
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Is it bravery or bravado? Stupidity or serendipity? Anyway you ask it, I don't have an objective measure, Phil. Have you ever tried to measure wave height? It's not easy. Besides, there are too many variables for a glib answer. All I can say is I know my limit when I see it. Mostly. Or at least sometimes. The factory recommended pilot operating handbook has the only correct answer: twelve inches.
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Chuck Cavanaugh - May 08,2014
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'All I can say is I know my limit when I see it'.<br /><br />Therein lies the rub. I recently tried to go all Dan Nickens and nearly sunk my SeaRey.....underestimated the water and overestimated my ability. Lesson learned.....I hope.<br /><br />Your photos and stories are much appreciated.
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