The Flat Friends Are Looking Ahead To Komodo Island And Bali

#flathal #flatstanleyproject #Bali #komodoisland #indonesia

Today we are sailing towards Komodo Island. When the Captain announced where we were in his daily new briefing over the public address system the name he gave for the sea didn’t match our map. This is the same Captain we had for part of our Pole to Pole adventure. He taught us the difference between Cape Verde (what’s on English maps) and Cabo Verde (what the locals prefer.). If he was saying Sawu instead of Savu Sea we knew this meant something—we wanted to understand what.

Savu vs. Sawu: Which is it?
The short answer is: both are correct.

Savu Sea: This is the most common English spelling
found on international nautical charts
and in historical Western texts.

Sawu Sea: This reflects the Indonesian spelling (Laut Sawu). In many local contexts and newer maps, you will see the “w” used.

The sea is named after Savu Island (or Pulau Sawu), which sits at the southern boundary of the sea, roughly halfway between the larger islands of Sumba and Timor.

The majority of places we go, the Flat Friends enjoy discovering the port, experiencing what it has to offer, and learning everything they can from the locals. When we return to the ship we research answers to our questions. But Komodo is different! When you are searching for Dragons advance research seems smart!