Tuesday 7 October, Waisai,capital of Papua

Our visit to the town of Waisai on the south side of Waigeo island had two reasons;to extend our visitor visas and to re-provision. We were able to do both in less than 48 hours and leave one of the most uncomfortable anchorages we've had to stay for a while.
Probably more correctly I should explain we were anchored in 26m in the bay of the new ferry terminal and not in front on the village of Waisai which is 2 miles east.  Both are open to the southerly swell and the ferries cause so much swell two or three times a day it put our rear steps underwater.
A few years ago there was near civil war in the area caused by the Papuan people of Irian Jaya wanting independence from Indonesia.  I understand there were negotiations for a peaceful conclusion; the area of Irian Jaya (west end of the big island of Papua New Guinea) was divided into two regencies, or areas of administration, and for the new Papua regency, Waisai village was appointed district capital with the accompanying injection of development monies.  Hence the new ferry terminal and a drive to elevate it's appeal for tourism.
We arrived Sunday evening, re-anchored twice looking for distance from ferries while

Waisai ferry bayaption

staying less than 30m deep and keeping clear of the fringing reefs.  Yesterday morning we took the fast 9am ferry, leaving a mere 30 minutes after schedule across the Dampier Straits to Sorong port to extend our visitor visas at the Immigration office.
It was a mad dash and all we saw of Sorong was on the short trip from ferry to Immigration and back but we were able to get new 30 day extensions in just 2 hours for a small fast track 'fee' and be in time for the 2pm left 30 minutes late) fast, and only, ferry back to Waisai.
On the ferry to Sorong we'd been lucky to find seats on an emergency exit row and have some leg room. On the return trip we were some of the last to arrive and had sat in a row of chairs with less legroom than the cheapest bucket airline.  Even I found it small.
One last rolly night in the ferry bay and next day we took a ojeks, motorcycle taxi, into Waisai town to visit the supermarket, super is a loosely used term given the limited range of goods, and then the market for fresh produce.  And then we could leave;our passports are stamped with 30 day extensions and the cupboards aren't so empty.
Waisai 00 26.17S 130 48.21E    26m sand /mud