sorong – Kiwis Do Fly

October 2025, Indonesia

So here we are onboard SV Banana Split. We have been asked a few times now; What are you doing now? A boat? Why? How? Where? Well yes, a boat. A 12.5 m sailing catamaran, so how did this come about? Well, it all started in a castle in France in 2019.

Chateau de La Barbaliniere, Thure, France

There is a bit of history to Banana Split which is fascinating. She was built in 1989 by a French explorer/photographer/singer/sailor, Antoine. Following a career in Engineering, he embarked on a singing career. Apparently, Antoine was a bit of a Pop star back in the day. He sang all through Europe and America and recorded numerous albums. This was a great life. But for Antoine, something was still missing.

In 1974, quite by accident, Antoine discovered sailing. He promptly embarked on his first solo round-the-world voyage. This began a lifelong journey that continued for more than 45 years. For fifteen years, he first sailed on the oversized schooner, OM and then the too small sloop, Voyage. In 1989 he returned to France and built Banana Split, the perfect travel companion. Banana Split became his home, mode of transport, and his workplace. In his own words “I began to practice the most wonderful job in the world: Traveling, discovering, meeting, feeling, loving…. And then telling stories.”

Antoine has published numerous books. Stories, autobiographies and photographic diaries. These have been translated into many languages and released all over the world giving inspiration to sailors and travellers alike. Following great success with books, Antoine progressed into film, a series of documentary films on travel and practical how-to-be-a-sailor. He continued to write music during this time and could be seen on TV preforming at times.

There are so many of his books, CD’s and DVDs here onboard. Sadly, for us, these are the one’s in French so makes reading a little difficult. Glossy hard cover coffee table books, novels of life sailing solo around the world, blue ray DVD series still in their wrappers. A life’s work and history of 1 man travelling the world. On this boat! Banana Split, the boat we now have the privilege to continue that work.

Google translating what I can from the covers of the books and researching this inspirational storyteller, has have given me so much respect for both him and his boat. Banana Split; she has done the hard yards. She has seen the sights and can tell the stories. Now she is looking after us, making new friends and creating new memories.

I have discovered all Antoine’s charts onboard. Nautical navigation is a bit of a passion and seeing these charts, with the courses and calculations, drawings and notes all over them is a real pleasure. There is a sextant onboard also, there were no chart plotters back when he began his journey.

So how did we end up here? This is a good question, and as I said, it all started in a castle in France.

In the fall of 2019, we are house sitting in the Loire Valley, France, for a wonderful couple Marie-Laure and Arnaud. We spent three months enjoying life in rural France. Working on the land, helping with the various ongoing projects which are necessary to keep an estate of that size functioning well and looking good – and, of course there was a puppy – Havane, Getting to know the amazing culture and people. It was a magical time.

Check out our stories from that time

https://kiwisdofly.blog/2019/11/15/our-fairy-tale-in-france/

On several occasions during our time at the Chateau, Marie-Laure and Arnaud’s good friend Antoine and his sailing cat, Banana Split, where mentioned and discussed. The boat had been in New Zealand for some time, so we had a lot to talk about. Marie-Laure and Arnaud and their 2 children had spent many trips on Banana Split both with and without Antoine over the years.

A few years later, Banana Split got stuck in Australia, on the NSW coast. The call was made. Can we sail the boat back to New Zealand? Well, yes, we are boat people and would be willing to crew, but we do not know how to sail. The answer to this protest was – “you are Kiwi’s, of course you know how to sail!” Also, across the Tasman sea? That is a big piece of water! But with one thing and another, weather and COVID being some, Banana Split got stranded in Australia.

Then finally time came, Antoine decided it was time to lay down his sails and sell the boat. Who better to intrust her with than Marie-Laure and Arnaud. But she is still in Australia. Discussions were had and plans were made over the next few years to relocate her to Malaysia, or Fiji or Indonesia, where the change of ownership would take pace. Marie-Laure and Arnaud would buy Banana Split in syndicate with another friend, Lee, from Alaska.

During this process, we were asked if we would like to be part of the project. We are so honoured to have been asked and here we are.

Banana Split was sailed up from Harvey Bay in Queensland, Australia to Sorong, West Papua, Indonesia. The hired skipper and crew got her there safely mid 2025. We arrived in Sorong in September for a month.

We are enjoying this bright yellow boat with a personality the size of her creator. We will help ready her for her new owners arriving in November. Chris has brought dive gear and is sourcing a compressor to be installed onboard. She is off to have the next few years discovering and enjoying Raja Ampat with her new family. Diving, sailing and meeting new friends. How lucky are we to be part of the team.

It hasnt been all work and no play! We spent 1 week sailing around some of the closer islands to Sorong. While anchored at Pulau Friwen we went ashore with an Australian couple who were anchored up at the same place. (More about that in our next story) On our walk around the island, we came across a French family who were holidaying in the little homestay on the island. The Dad of the family would have been about our age so I took a punt and asked him if he knew of Antoine.

As my research is proving, he is a very famous man in Europe. Oui! yes I do know of this man, he says. In fact he had several of his books as he is a sailor himself. He was so excited that we were on Banana Split and that she was anchored just around the corner. He would take photos to show his friends back home. He relayed to us that he thought Antoine was an incredible man, a very down to earth, real man with a fantastic sense of humour. He said he had seen Antoine recently on TV doing a travel show or something similar, which is so great to hear. Is this not just the smallest of worlds?

We are so very excited to be on this “world famous” boat

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Our next adventure begins. It was quite the trip from NZ which started with a very special treat – we flew business class. We were told that once you had flown business class you will never be able to go back to cattle class. It was such a great experience. I know exactly what was meant by that statement.

Arriving at Auckland Airport we went straight to priority check in and bag drop, immediately following that was an “Invitation” to go to the lounge. Ok, yes please! We have 3 hours until take off and we feel like kiddies in a lolly shop. Where do we start?

There is cooked breakfast on offer, a barista making coffee, all pastries and cakes you could dream of, and a full bar. 1 plate, 2 plate, 3 plate, oh hang on, here comes lunch! The mandatory glass or 2 of bubbles, even though it is only 10am. Oh this is lovely. We took a seat right by the window looking down at the departure lounge. Passengers waiting for flights, sitting on plastic seats, trying to get comfortable drinking cuppuccino’s out of takeaway cups – this is usually us by-the-way.

That was just the lounge! Now we get onto the plane. First to be called, down a seperate skybridge that I never even knew existed! Into our own little area on the plane. We have our own cubicle with a sliding hatch between us. Duvet, sheet and real pillow. A footrest with room to stretch right out into a bed. This is going to be good.

The Crew are amazing. Right there every step of the way making sure there is nothing we need; nothing is too much trouble. The meals come with linen tablecloth, proper cutlery and glass glasses – which, it seems, were never empty! My crew looked so disappointed when I said no to Champaign, a Sauvignon blanc would be just fine thank you – to be fair, he did not know I had already had 3 glasses of Champaign in the lounge! After the first meal, a little Baileys perhaps? how about a 12 year old malt whisky sir? Oh it would be very rude not to!

It was so very comfortable in our little cocoons. It was wonderful to get our feet right up. It was an 11 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur. We did not get the swelling in our legs that we usually do. It was the best thing for my ankle, as I am still having issues with swelling and stiffness. I think it would have been a lot harder with out the feet elevation.

It was very cool to lie right down and snuggle into the duvet, turn off the light and try to go to sleep. BUT, I was just too excited to sleep, just as well this was a day time flight. So nice to have the choice though. Imagine having this luxury every long haul!

So I sit up again, reclining in my wonderfully comfortable seat. I felt like a Queen. Another glass of wine perhaps, or something else to eat Miss Donna? Oh my Gosh, I could so get used to this.

3 nights back in one of our favourite cities, Kuala Lumper. We stayed at a usual spot in China town and reacquainted ourselves with the wonderful smells and food.

Kuala Lumpur

A few pieces of navigation equipment to pick up for Banana Split took us out to Port Klang. 45 minutes drive from the city. It took an hour to do the “deal”, sign the papers, pay the man, collect receipts, then the driver took us back. Now to readjust the packing to get it all in. We only had to buy 5kg extra baggage for each flight. It was an interesting exercise as you buy by the kilo, not by bag. Perfect for us carrying what we had. We ended up with 3 bags – well one was just a big box. As you tag your bags, the weigh scale counts down your allowance. That was concern No.1, will we get away with the allowance? – yes! Easy peasy.

Concern No.2, getting said equipment into Indonesia. We landed at Jakarta airport. We had the right documentation, but alas, we were called into the office with the very official man asking quite a few questions. The guy on the x-ray machine said “is there something you want to tell me?” and pointed to the x-ray of the box. We were carrying a radar dome, he had no idea what it could be. Through the screen it really looked like something from outer space. I was visualising us being on the Indonesia version of Border Patrol – “do you know the contents of your bag?”…… All was good though. We had a laugh with the man in the office, right before he socked us between the eyes with the bill – he charged us 10% duty, 11% VAT and 10% Income Tax – yes Income Tax as we are not Indonesian citizens, then sent us on our way.

That piece of equipment was the sacrificial lamb, with a bit of clever accounting we got away with a fairly low bill. It could have been 3 times that amount. They were also so interested in the Navigation equipment, they forgot to ask about the brand new dive gear we were also carrying. Job Done!

Next flight, Jakarta to Sorong, 4 hour flight leaving at 1210 am, where is our business class now??

This part was easy, our faithful driver Neddy was waiting for us at Sorong and took us to Tampa Garam Marina where we found Banana Split. This is a small marina with no berths as such. It is a small rectangle of water with 8 vessels tied up in the Mediterranean style mooring system.

It was 0630, and though the manager knew we were arriving today, there was no one around. A quick discussion on how to get out to the boat as our dinghy is on the boat; not helpful. A call to the manager, who offered us to use the one tied up down at the other end of the marina, it has no oars; but there is 1 paddle.

There she is – Banana Split; our home for 3 1/2 weeks

We manage to get us and all our equipment safely onboard. Wow this is cool, we are back on a boat!! Now the real fun begins!

Tag: sorong

The Story Of Banana Split

October 2025, Indonesia

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The Story Of Business Class Travel And Indonesian Customs

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