In the heart of the remote Nusa Tenggara islands, Patty Seeery is a remarkable American woman ready to welcome you

on board her magnificent boat : the Silolona...

Silolona: sailing in Indonesia

Photos Stphane Frances/Lightmediation Text: Isabelle Fougre
Contact - Thierry Tinacci Lightmediation agency +33 (0)6 61 80 57 21 thierry@lightmediation.com

635-02: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, with 15 crew members

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-01: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with his big black sails / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-02: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, with 15 crew members / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-03: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, excursion on the lagoon of Komodo island / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-04: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Champagne on board / INDONESIA /

635-34: Bali island, Legong woman dancer

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-05: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with his big black sails / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-06: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, Patty Seery the owner's, leave on board / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-07: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, with 15 crew members. The captain cabin / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-08: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Breakast on board / INDONESIA /

635-45: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with 5 luxous cabins on board (Java cabin)

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-09: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, with 15 crew members / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-10: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with his big black sails / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-11: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with 5 luxous cabins on board (Bali cabin) / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-12: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with 5 luxous cabins on board (Java cabin) / INDONESIA /

635-59: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with his big black sails

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-13: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with 5 luxous cabins on board (Bali cabin) / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-14: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Saloon at sunset / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-15: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, excursion on the lagoon of Komodo island / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-16: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, excursion on Komodo island / INDONESIA /

635-43: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, Patty Seery the owner's with his crew

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-17: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Stop on wild and lovely beaches / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-18: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Captain welcome's song... / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-19: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Komodo island / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-20: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, with 15 crew members / INDONESIA /

635-20: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, with 15 crew members

635-29: Bali island, Bangli region, Undisan temple

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-21: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Stop on wild and lovely beaches / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-22: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, Patty Seery the owner's, leave on board / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-23: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, Visit on the island of Komodo dragons / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-24: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Flores island / INDONESIA /

635-28: Bali island, rice fields on Ubud region

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-25: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Flores island, 3 colors lake of Kelimutu volcano / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-26: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Flores island, Bima village / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-27: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Komodo island / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-28: Bali island, rice fields on Ubud region / INDONESIA /

635-48: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Diner preparation

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-29: Bali island, Bangli region, Undisan temple / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-30: Bali island, rice fields / Indonesia /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-31: Bali island, rice fieds / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-32: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with his big black sails / INDONESIA /

635-08: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Breakast on board

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-33: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with 5 luxous cabins on board (statues on Bali bathroom cabin) /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-34: Bali island, Legong woman dancer / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-35: Bali island, Legong woman dancer / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-36: Bali island, Nusa Dua, Temple / INDONESIA /

635-21: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Stop on wild and lovely beaches

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-37: Bali island, Bangli region, Undisan procession temple / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-38: Bali island, Bangli region, Undisan procession temple / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-39: Bali island, Bangli region, Manik Bingin temple in Undisan village / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-40: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with 5 luxous cabins on board (Bali cabin) / INDONESIA /

635-19: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Komodo island

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-41: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Relaxing time / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-42: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with 5 luxous cabins on board (Sumba cabin) / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-43: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat, Patty Seery the owner's with his crew / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-44: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Breakfast time / INDONESIA /

635-49: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with his big black sails

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-45: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat with 5 luxous cabins on board (Java cabin) / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-46: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Flores island, fishermen family at Labuanbajo village / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-47: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat 45 meters long / INDONESIA /

SILOLONA, sailing in Indonesia / 635-48: Nusa Tenggara archipelago, cruise on Silolona boat, a wonderful traditional Phinisis sailboat. Diner preparation / INDONESIA /

635-50: Bali island, Ulun Danu temple on Bratan lake (near Bedugul village)

Silolona: sailing in Indonesia

In the heart of the remote Nusa Tenggara islands, Patty Seeery is a remarkable American woman ready to welcome you on board her magnificent boat : the Silolona...

The brown of the Silolona forms a striking contrast with the sparkling turquoise water: warm timber on a picture postcard sea. Six passengers have stepped on board and are there, barefoot, standing stock still on a deck as big as the decks of the pirate ships at the movies in their childhood. Sofas and cushions are ready for guests to curl up beside baskets filled with seashells; but it is already time to raise anchor. The masts crack with the warmth of the sun. A drink is served and a few words of welcome are spoken by Patti Seery, the owner of the boat. Then we set sail, moving across smooth waters. The port of Labuan Bajo, at the easternmost point of the island of Flores, slowly disappears over the horizon and a man in a sarong, holding a conch shell, comes up and perches on the starboard railing. Patti introduces the captain who is about to sing the song to mark the departure - the Silolona song, named after the famous woman who once lived on the island. "Silolona, Silolona, where are you?" The shell in the captain's hands becomes a foghorn, uttering a plaintive cry. Could the boat have a soul of its own?

Many long years ago, on the Tanimbar archipelago, a beautiful young woman named Silolona was married to a handsome young man named Atuf. In those days, the blazing sun burnt with such heat that it killed any form of human life; and Silolona could not escape that fate. Her husband, in desperation, set off on a journey to attack the murderous planet in the skies, and the spirit of the beautiful Silolona traveled with him. After criss-crossing the islands of Indonesia (peregrinations reminiscent of the Odyssey of Ulysses), the husband managed to stab the sun and, in doing so, created the stars and saved the human race. While Patti recounts the legend (including the reference to the friendly spirit of Silolona living on in her boat), she also keeps an eye on the sailing and the course being steered. Clutching the shrouds, she is part of her boat - the boat of her dreams which she designed and built, teaming up with the last families of woodworkers from the Konjo community on the island of Sulawesi. For more than two years now she has been taking guests to some of the most beautiful parts of Indonesia. Her love for these islands is the love of a lifetime, and her life is an adventure in itself. When Patti was a child and first read "Moby Dick", she dreamt of being captain of a whaling ship. She ended up being an architect, teacher and adventurer, and has followed life wherever it has taken her, including France, Sicily, Australia and India. Wherever she has been, she has found subjects to fascinate her: she has studied cooking and the history of textiles, and now has a range of degrees and diplomas.

In 1981, Patti discovered Indonesia. She explored the most remote islands, meeting isolated communities, studying their traditions and animistic beliefs, and organizing exhibitions of traditional and folk art. And she has also been a guide, helping visitors discover wonderful diving spots, secluded beaches and magnificent volcanoes. The adventure of building the Silolona shows just how dynamic this woman from the USA is. She had to find investors to back the project, have tons of wood transported to an isolated island, adapt traditional shapes and designs to suit the latest techniques and run a team of more than one hundred workers. The Silolona is 47 meters long and can carry up to ten passengers; it is solid and seaworthy, and also spacious and comfortable, with berths for up to ten passengers. Like all the "phinisis", the traditional sailing boats in these islands, it is rigged with seven large black sails, and it can reach up to 12 knots. When the ship was launched in Bali, Patti was determined to observe all the proper rituals. "The launching of a boat here is like a wedding; a permanent bond is forged. Each part of the boat corresponds to a part of the body: gold must be placed here, and diamonds there. And appeals must be made beseeching protection before taking to sea." So here we are, cruising through a peaceful seascape in the Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara). The land views offer contrasts with tropical growth, bald hilltops and small coves of golden sand. There is Sumba the island of spirits and megaliths, Komodo the dragon island, Rinca the wild island, Sangeang the

volcanic island, and many others. On board, we can visit the suites before lunch: they are enormous! Patti Seery has created attractive environments featuring articles and fabrics picked up from various points in Indonesia. Each cabin is decorated in the style of one of the islands, e.g. Bali, Asmat or Borneo. In the Bali suite, a white orchid stands in front of the porthole, shimmering in the orange gold rays of the sun already moving on a downward path, while up on deck, the chef, William Collier, has prepared a meal for the passengers - a perfect balance between the flavors of the orient and the Mediterranean. The Silolona sails from island to island for nearly a week; the pace is relaxed. Afternoons are spent lazing in the shelter of unspoiled coves and inlets, diving and collecting shells. Patti sits cross-legged on the beach and tells her stories; there are legends, the history of each reef, her life story, animistic rites, and so it goes on. Back on board, guests are refreshed with cool towels tinged with citronella. Then we are off for the next visit? and the next. On the island of Komodo, the famous monitor lizards or "dragons" seem to be posing as dinosaurs, and they are certainly impressive, measuring up to three meters. Later, when visiting a tiny fishing village, the chief's son extends a special welcome by getting coconuts for us. Patti is treated to a VIP reception wherever she goes.

A cruise on the Silolona is more than just a magnificent trip. Patti's guests enjoy the magic of discovery, plus physical delights and comfort, and, of course, stimulation for the mind, with her brilliant story-telling and enthusiasm for history, plus her

unique ability to share. Surely the Silolona has a soul! Every evening, passengers return to their cabins to find a small gift recalling the experience of the day: a miniature silver dragon, a carved wooden votive statue, or a silk sarong. At dusk, after a cool shower and a cool drink, the crewmembers (who are all true professionals and always there when needed) swap their sailing and work gear and turn into musicians, playing the guitar and serenading the stars. Night owls then listen to the indefatigable Patti, still telling tales by moonlight, talking of her plans for a new boat, and her traditional home in Toraja. Before long it is time to sail back to Labuan Bajo. The fifteen sailors are busy with the rigging, and the black sails flap in the breeze. There in the distance is the volcano on Sangeang. Gently rocked by the waves, we appreciate that rare feeling of having experienced another world, another civilization, another culture.