8th, 9th, 10th June - Damai Cultural Village - Kuching to Pulau Lakei - to Pulai Bruit - up the coast we go

Sunday 8^th June

This morning we went to look at the cultural village, to see where we had been at our rally dinner in the dark.  The local bus driver on the Damai-Kuching run told us that the bus would come past between 9.25 and 9.30.  So, like good little bunnies, we went to the bus stop and waited, from 9.15…waiting waiting waiting!!  It got hotter by the minute and my desire to go to the cultural village started to wane…

A rare photo of 2XS, both sails up, sailing!  Thank you Lyn - Out of the Blue II!!

Pete never ever gives in, and after a very long wait, he stood and stuck out his thumb.  Many cars went past but eventually a very beautiful big air-conditioned car stopped.  Three women, from New Zealand, with Kuching connections.  I LOVED them because they rescued us from the roadside but I was almost speechless with heat and dehydration (had foolishly left my waterbottle in the dinghy.)  They knew a lot about Borneo.  My friend in the backseat said that when she first came here there was 70% forest in Sarawak; now it is just a fraction.  But we had been told 65% s reserved for national park??  Absolute rubbish! said our friend, assertively.  She says the forests are devastated and they log with impunity in the national parks.  A total disgrace!  Sigh…I so would love to know that this beautiful island is still covered with thick lush jungle…

The cultural village was very impressive, and it must be a fabulous venue for the rainforest World Music Festival, due to start on the 20^th.  I trudged around a bit wearily; this wasn’t one of my high-energy days…if I ever do have high energy days…

We got back to 2XS at midday, said a sad farewell to King of the Wild Boar (Mt Santubong) and set off for a very pleasant little cruise along the coast to a beautiful little island, which I think is called Pulau Lakei.  Eight of the rally boats have arrived, and are all anchored in the beautiful green water.  I have been for a swim…all is well.

Pulai Lakei

Last night Dave and Jacqui were sitting companionably on their deck, watching the river.  Is that a bit of rubbish or a log, said Dave, idly.  Well if I was rubbish or a log it was doing a valiant job of moving quite rapidly UPstream… It got closer to Jackster and then there it was, a three metre crocodile making its way confidently towards the little fish farm at our jetty…

Monday 9^th June

We left, as Jacqui (Jackster) would say, at sun-up, and cruised up the  coast, with both sails up, until we found the need to STOP for the night.  We feel as if we are miles out to sea; in fact we are two nautical miles off the coast of Pulau Bruit, a long flat island, full, as far as we can tell, of mangroves…and magical clouds…

Look carefully - there IS a rainbow!

I could see a rainbow in the clouds.  BULLSHIT, said my romantic Pete…But…look carefully – a rainbow in the sunset clouds!

Stormcloud

Tomorrow…more travels up the coast towards Miri.

Out of the Blue II nearby

Tuesday 10^th June

We seem to have internet connection along the way so…maybe I can do this blogstuff now, as we chug along the coast??