By: Nisa Syahidah (WWF-Indonesia)

"Turn to the left e, sweet lady turn to the left, to the left, to the left, and to the left, to the left, to the left, to the left, to the left Manise..." chanted Ge Mu Fa Mi Re from Maumere trying to match the sound of the Menami engine that started sailing today. Om Erdi (WWF-Indonesia) strummed his ukulele enthusiastically, accompanied by the singing voices of expedition participants and media crews who filled the Menami deck.

Finally, after two days of the workshop, the ship moved on to circumnavigate Alor island cluster by island cluster. Dropping anchor at Dulionong Harbor, Kalabahi, we were released by the Marine and Fisheries Office and the Alor Regency Tourism Office this morning.

Uniquely, on this year's expedition, several national and local media crews had the opportunity to sail with Menami on a series of trips to launch the Marine Buddies application in Alor. This Android-based application invites the public to recognize, visit and monitor marine protected areas in Indonesia - becoming #FriendsofMarineParks.

Heading to the first dive point, Ternate Island, the boat was abuzz. Not only by its passengers, but also by the dolphin attraction. Alor is known to be home to a variety of marine mammals - so no sooner had we set sail than several groups of dolphins were dancing not far from us. Over and over again.

The ship was only momentarily quiet when the snorkeling media crew and research team began the first dive. Just then, a small boat called "Cute Girl" circled the Menami, going back and forth three times before finally closing in on us.

The "cute girl" was carrying women from Ternate Village who were selling the beautiful colors of Alor's woven fabrics from the boat. Apparently, they do the same for every big ship that passes by. It is said that this village is known for the various animal motifs in its weaving patterns. There are turtles, elephants, fish - all with meanings passed down through the ages. The turtle, for example, is said to have been the guardian of the Munaseli Kingdom, one of the oldest kingdoms on Pantar Island, Alor.

That day, the #XPDCALORFLOTIM team became sellers of woven fabrics from Ternate Village, Alor. Until the "Cute Girl" ship slowly distanced itself from Menami. But suddenly...

"Byurrrr!!!" I was one of those shocked when Irwan (WWF-Indonesia) suddenly jumped into the sea, swam close to the "Cute Girl" to take and exchange the shawl that had gotten wet. As it turned out, the woven shawl purchased by Sila (Reef Check Indonesia) had fallen overboard in the middle of this ship-to-boat transaction.

Only that morning, Menami was like a market. By midday, the media crew and WWF-Indonesia team broke away from the boat, returning to land. We wave goodbye to the dinghy who escorts them home. The real journey begins now.