Peter worked on the boat and I went to the shopping centre and had a lovely time wandering around the new large, clean, uncrowded shopping centre. They seemed to have lots of specials on - perhaps its a Saturday thing. When we returned to the marina in the afternoon there was a big affair going on. There is going to be an indoor theme park at Peturi Harbour and the Minister was there for the signing of the contract. This place is going to be huge in the future. In the evening they put on a free barbeque and free beer for us all and a great band - everyone attended and we had a great time. A fitting finish to our time at Peturi Harbour. A world class marina.
DAY 200 - Sunday 8 November - Peturi Harbaour to Palau Pisang
01°21.987N 103°14.480E
Happy Birthday Kate!
Left at 7.20am with Cilantro and Kristie 1 and made our way back down the Strait and under the disconcerting bridge and out again with all the big ships and headed into the Malacca Strait. Motored all the way and anchored behind the Pisang Islands at 2.10pm just as the wind went the wrong direction! Whistle Down the Wind turned up about an hour later. The night was a bit rolly but it was way too hot to sleep. Had a big storm and lots of rain.
Miles: 35 Total 4,991
DAY 201 - Monday 9 November - Palau Pisang to Palau Besar
02°06.22N 102°19.81E
We left at 5am with Cilantro, Kristie 1 and Whistle Down the Wind in the dark but the moon was bright so we followed our track and headed up the Malacca Strait just out of the shipping lane on the Malaysian side. There were heaps of huge ships going up and down. Motored all day - avoided a few fish nets which are strung between a small boat and a flag on the other end of the net (mostly). Also becoming a little paranoid and avoiding floating thongs!!!! Anchored at 5pm at Palau Besar - the Water Islands. Absolutely beautiful spot.
Miles: 69 Total 5,060
DAY 202 - Tuesday 10 November - Palau Besar to Malacca
02°11.199N 102°14.472E
Awoke to a beautiful day and felt like staying - the island was beautiful - we will have to keep it for another time! Upanchored at 9am and motored the entire way. The entry to the marina was very shallow. Came in on a low tide (rising) and had 0.8m under the keel. Sandra threw her line to Margaret who caught it and pulled but the line came free from the boat and Margaret nearly over balanced backwards!!! We came in beside Cilantro. Walked into town to the museum and then slowly did the shops in China town. Went into a Chinese restaurant where a lovely bossy lady told us where to sit, what we would eat and had the lot on the table within about a minute!! Chicken rice balls are a speciality it seems!! Lost the boys but found them in the Geographer's Cafe having a beer. Wandered around the streets of this most interesting town - found the oldest Buddhist temple in Malaysia then had dinner and headed back to the boats.
Miles 10 Total 5,070
DAY 203 - Wednesday 12 November - Malacca
What a great place. Went on a trip up the river on a boat with a heap of small children then walked up to the ruins of St Paul's Church then checked out the shopping mall and then went up the spinning tower. A huge tower with a slowly spinning viewing platform that goes very high with fantastic views. This was when we found out that we are senior citizens!! The girl insisted on giving us the 3 ringett discount for being old! We revisited China town and then to the Sultan's palace - a huge wooden structure made without any nails and very interesting displays inside. Walked into the Sultan's gardens and I was within 6 inches of treading on a snake! (small and skinny but definitely a snake). At least Peter had the good grace to let me get past it before he told me!! Went back to the boat to find that all the boats had been really rolly in the swell which came in and we had broken a line. Wayne (Tequila), James (Cilantro) and Geoff (Wave Sweeper) had fixed it so we ended up having drinks on Kristie 1.
DAY 204 - Thursday 12 November - Malacca
Had a slow start to the day - went to the electric shop and the supermarket for a few supplies and caught a taxi back - $5. Took the lines for Wind Chimes when they came in and the rain has set in (it is the wet season here). We went to the Indian restaurant with Whistle, Cilantro and Kristie. They don't serve beer but the restaurant next door did so they put one of their tables out on the footpath and served us beer and we had the best tandoori chicken and curry we have ever had from the Indian restaurant next door!! They cook the tandoori on the footpath in a big tandoori oven - a great big pot. The chef just slaps the naan bread in and it sticks to the side and cooks. We had the best meal ever and with all the beers and food the lot came to $25 per couple!! A great night. We then went to a bar called Me and Mrs Jones where a man named Hawk plays the organ and piano and sings. Another man came in with a great big iguana lizard sitting on his shoulder! He talked to it and patted it - not real sure if the lizard enjoyed it as much!!! Anyway we left around 10 just as the place was starting to warm up - way past our bedtime!!!!
DAY 205 - Friday 13 November - Malacca
Went shopping then had lunch at the flash Chinese restaurant and were served by a bloke with gumboots on! Went to the night markets where they close off a few streets - it was mostly touristy stuff though I did manage to get two pairs of Birkenstock shoes for $9 & $12 each. We then went to a restaurant with the usual suspects and everyone had to borrow Jean's glasses to read the menu. After the meal Jean discovered that her bag was gone - just like that! The glasses gone, money gone, silk scarf gone, credit cards gone. It really was black Friday for them and they spent some time at the police station. Not a nice ending to our stay in Malacca!
Heading north tomorrow. All going well.
Fair Winds and Calm Seas
Dell and Peter
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