French expedition explores Indonesia<\/p>\n
By Jules Bell<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In both the late 18th and 20th centuries, the
\nIndonesian archipelago has been explored by sailing ships called
\nLa Boudeuse.<\/p>\n
The first time was by Louis Antoine de Bougainville, during
\nthe first ever French expedition to sail around the world. Now a
\nnew generation of Bougainville's countrymen are back. As you read
\nthis, 14 French sailors are exploring Indonesia in a Chinese
\njunk, named after its 18th century predecessor.<\/p>\n
Adventure and discovery are the aims of the Spirit of
\nBougainville expedition, explained Captain Patrice Franceschi on
\nboard La Boudeuse, during a press invitation Sept. 4. Cultural
\nexchange is also a focus of the voyage.<\/p>\n
\"The aim is to introduce the region to the French public
\nthrough encounters with local people, especially the youth in the
\ncoming millennium,\" said the expedition's press release.<\/p>\n
The voyage, which has a strong following in Europe, commenced
\non June 27 when the sailors left Cambodia for Singapore in their
\nmodernized and restored replica 19th century Chinese warship -
\ncomplete with red sails and painted dragons. Following repairs,
\nthe adventurers departed Singapore arriving at Jakarta's Ancol
\nMarina on Aug. 30.<\/p>\n
Easily identifiable in his classic blue and white striped
\nsailor's uniform, the ship's first-mate Marc Bonguardo said the
\ntrip is a world voyage, \"but Asia is most important and
\ninteresting to us right now, so that is why we have come here
\nfirst.\"<\/p>\n
The adventurers departed Ancol Marina on Sept. 6, heading
\ntoward the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra. Beyond
\nIndonesia and its western islands, Papua New Guinea, the
\nPhilippines and India are high on the list of places to visit he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The collective aim of the crew is the exploration of Indonesia
\nand neighboring countries and to learn about the cultures of the
\npeople they meet. The lifestyle of sailing and living on the boat
\nseemed equally important to the crew.<\/p>\n
\"You don't breath the same air, have the same time schedule
\neveryday and meet the same people,\" said Bonguardo comparing his
\npresent profession with working in an office. \"You also use you
\nbody and brain at the same time,\" he added.<\/p>\n
La Boudeuse's mixed gender crew includes two captains, two
\nfirst-mates, a variety of experts including a geographer and an
\nengineer and young French youth ambassadors. Most of the crew are
\nexperienced sailors, divers and travelers.<\/p>\n
Anthony Albertini, 23, said he and his two fellow youth
\nambassadors won the chance to join the expedition after a contest
\nheld in regional areas of France. The inclusion of the young
\nsailors is to promote cultural exchange between France and the
\ncountries visited.<\/p>\n
\"I am curious about the scientific exhibition. How
\nethnologists work and what techniques they use,\" he explained. \"I
\nwant to discover countries I do not know, meet people and
\ndiscover new cultures that are different from my own. When we
\nleave we will be richer for the experience,\" said Albertini.<\/p>\n
The crew, a collection of interesting characters, have
\nindividual interests and goals on the voyage. Geographer
\nArchambeau Olivier said he had Bougainville's original maps, and
\nthat it was fascinating to follow his route and compare the old
\nmaps with their 20th century equivalents. \"It is interesting to
\nsee if he made any mistakes,\" said Olivier, who has visited
\nSumatra in the past as a journalist.<\/p>\n
The driving force and leader of the expedition, Captain
\nFranceschi, is a man of vast experience, a lifetime history of
\nadventure and an author. His eighteen books chronicle his leaving
\nhome at 19, and his adventures over 25 years through places
\nincluding Afghanistan, the Amazon, and Central Africa.<\/p>\n
He was the first person to fly around the world in an
\nultralight, and has participated in humanitarian aid programs in
\nSomalia, Lebanon and Bosnia. With all this experience, what is
\nhis philosophy in life?<\/p>\n
\"Adventuring is a strong, free and true life,\" said the short
\nbut stocky character who would look right at home in a Hollywood
\naction movie set on the high seas. \"A true life is about
\ncuriosity and freedom all over the world,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Almost exclusively privately funded, the expedition started
\nwith the purchase of a tourist ship that previously hosted the
\nlikes of film star Robert De Niro and former U.S. president
\nRonald Reagan whilst cruising Cambodia's Mekong River.<\/p>\n
La Boudeuse, now a blend of 19th century styling and modern
\ntechnology, was built in 1989, and purchased from its previous
\nowners following financial difficulties. Three months of work
\nbegan on the ship in April this year.<\/p>\n
The restoration of the ship in Cambodia included three new
\nmasts and sails shipped from France and the addition of modern
\nnavigational and communications technology. Built entirely of
\nwood, the ship is 30 meters long, seven meters wide and over six
\nmeters high. Below deck, these dimensions allow for spacious
\nliving areas and cabins.<\/p>\n
\"It is a dream ship,\" said Captain Franceschi, \"a very
\nbeautiful ship.\" The expedition's photographer, Arnie Hodalic,
\nagreed with the captain. \"It is a beautiful boat to live in. We
\nhave everything. We even have girls on the boat,\" he laughed.<\/p>\n
The sailors plan to spend one year traveling around West
\nIndonesia, the Philippines and neighboring countries. They are
\nyet to decide whether to sail east or west toward France, and
\nplan to visit numerous countries along the way, eventually
\nreturning home at some point in the future.<\/p>\n
But probably not for long. \"I love being at sea,\" said
\nHodalic, and it would be a safe guess that the rest of the crew
\ndo too.<\/p>",
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