There were several destination options for this eclipse and based on weather data we selected a site on Banka Island, off the Indonesian Island of Sumatra and Davao, in the southern part of the Philippines.
Banka Island was an easy short flight from Jakarta and there was a good hotel on the island. The observation site was a short run from the hotel and the sky was clear for the eclipse.
The longer eclipse duration and exotic attractions of this part of Asia made for a large group on this project. When we arrived in Davao on the flight from Manila we were met at the airport by a line of Jeepneys (local hand-built jeep/taxis) for the hotel transfer and spirits were high. The morning of eclipse day was full cloud and heavy rain, however we persisted and boarded the local ferry to cross the bay to Talikud Island.
The eclipse commenced behind the cloud and clearly the day was lost… but the diminished light during an eclipse had concealed the cloud edges and a uniform twilight grey covered the clear patches. About twenty minutes before totality the eclipsed sun made an appearance, revealing an almost clear sky. A wonderful eclipse but maybe too much of a cliff hanger!
Brian McGee
Founder, Astro Trails