In many remote island communities of Eastern Indonesia, access to energy technology is difficult. Cooking is often done with hard-to-find firewood and lighting with subsidised kerosene. Some communities have communally owned generators and pay a monthly fee. Typically this would supply 6 hours of electricity each night for lights and television. But parts and fuel are expensive and often there is no power at all. Some islands that have been home to families for generations are actually not recognised by the Indonesian bureaucracy as inhabited, so are not eligible for subsidies or other government services. On visits to some of these islands by sailboat, these needs are apparent. After learning of his profession, Oliver has received several requests for solar lighting, and has since provided small solar lighting systems to villagers in South Sulawesi, Flores and West Papua. One of the things about living in some of the most beautiful and natural parts of the world is that access to the cash economy is limited. But on the flip-side, islanders have hundred's of years of trading experience with passing travellers, and offer other products unique to their home to make both parties happy with the trade. We have swapped solar systems (installed) for hand-made sarongs, red sugar syrup, and engine repairs. See Sour Sailor Island Cruises blog for more stories.