Tuesday 5th August
We are getting
LOTS of protection here in Lahad Datu.
The army, navy, police and coastguard circle our boats constantly, in
their speedy armoured boats. Maritim
Malaysia are very kindly letting us leave our dinghies at their jetty. Yesterday we tied up to their boats and had
to clamber over three big tough black rubber boats to get to the rickety
pier. The officers all hang out on the
pier, happily cooking their fish head soup, smoking, chatting. They are very friendly and benign-looking in
their civvies and they just love their pet…
This morning we
went to the market, to stock up yet again.
I got distracted by all of the activity – women selling cigarettes,
beautiful scallop
shells,
delightful
children
a nice young chap
who wants to be my Facebook friend
So…I forgot to
follow Pete and John with an eagle eye and they vanished. They had gone to the vegetable market but I
had no idea where this was, and there seemed to be vegetables everywhere along
the street - they could have been in any hot & smelly location in Lahad Datu. I trotted up and down,
getting just slightly overheated and bothered.
People were so
very kind and helpful. Nobody spoke much
English but I managed to communicate that I was looking for dua orang (TWO husbands, how profligate
of me!) They all spoke to me in soothing
tones, posed for a photo of or two, and then I thought I should just go back to
the maritime jetty to wait, in the shade, with the tabby kuching at my feet.
Tomorrow we are
leaving this ramshackle little town. I
really like it here; people are so very cheerful and friendly, and it all feels
very Frontierland and invigorating.
There are sea eagles, Brahminy kites, white egrets in their dozens all
around the busy port area. We are going
to some nearby islands, where we hope to find a blue lagoon with coral, fish,
crystal clear water. But maybe…no
internet!
 |
| This flower was SO technicolour I just had to stop and take a photo (maybe that is why I get left behind...) |
We have just had a
catch-up rally lunch, at the Hotel Dari de Leon, grandly named. We had invited our protectors; they tucked in
very happily.
 |
| Kenny & Mick |
There was lots of
chat
and some very
strange-tasting biscuits…
 |
| Kassim & Pete |
 |
| Pete, Maureen Myra - Myra sers her biscuit was...fishy! |
So…HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING CLAIRE COOK, for 7th
August. Just in case I can’t write on
the day…Claire is bright, funny, clever and slightly mysterious. She has also been a trendsetter, ever since
she led Margate Primary School Grade Four girls in the fashion for
legwarmers. (Ah, the 80s…) We all love her to bits and watch her
carefully for the latest trend…
I'm glad you were reunited with your husbands!
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