Tuesday 12th November
It is very interesting, in a scary sort of way, finding out what has happened to some of our travelling companions along the way. We are meeting up with them, in rapid succession, here in Danga Bay.
Backchat (NZ – Jenny and Irwin.) They have been here for weeks, with completely seized engines. They will have to re-build or replace them.
Adagio (Phil and Cheryl - Australia) – their engine has also given up the ghost and it is being repaired in KL. Meanwhile they are missing out on the rally they were very much looking forward to.
Micromegas (Switzerland – Fredy and Chantal) – This beautiful catamaran is for sale. Chantal wants to go home; Fredy not so much…
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| Micromegas - red trimmings - infront of 2XS |
Tiare
Taporo III (NZ – Gina and Jim) – Their beautiful boat is fine but Gina has been
in hospital, having a huge amount of polyps removed from her nasal
passages. She had the most wonderful
time in hospital – it was better than a 5* hotel. They aren’t coming on the rally because they
are going back to NZ to meet Gina’s one and only new baby grandson.
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| Jim and Gina in Cairns - they inspired us to do the Indonesian Rally |
And so it
goes…
Sazli is
our new RallyGuru. No more kindly
IndonesianSam, now we have large, exuberant MalaysianSazli, full of jokes and
fun. His main bit of advice today was
with respect to dealing with Malaysian bureaucracy. Just be polite and friendly and all doors
will open. That was his basic
message. Apparently if one is loud,
shouty and obnoxious…things will not run so smoothly.
(I won’t dwell on this because it makes me very
sad but…amongst the yachties we have met the overwhelming consensus is that the
very rudest officials and the most complicated and unnecessary red tape to be
found in the world are…in Australia.
Also the most expensive port fees, marina charges, customs, taxes,
EVERYTHING. Everything is more
expensive. And more complicated. SIGH sigh.)
The
technical briefing did indeed last from 11 till 3. It was actually very interesting and
helpful. I took careful notes on my
nifty iPhone and then, inexplicably, deleted them ALL with one fell swoop of
the index finger. So now I can’t
remember which marinas to avoid because of rat infestation, or where to
anchor/moor 2XS near Penang now the lovely marina has completely disintegrated. That sort of thing… Maybe Pete’s notes,
written in biro on paper, will be more helpful.
I took
this tricky photo by aiming the lens at the mirrored ceiling. You can tell that some (not many…) are
wearing their pink or white t-shirts… (Pete and I are visible from the knees
down, top left.)
Good news
– Pete’s hat has mysteriously returned. I
found it sitting on a bench in the marina office. He is happy!
And…he is still working…
Last
night was the Rally gala inner. And a most
splendid and sumptuous affair it was!
The food was sensational:
They did
an interesting thing with the food – it was announced, with great pomp and
ceremony – DINNER IS SERVED! And here onstage
were the waiting staff, dishes aloft - how cool was that??
Pete was
happy
 |
| Pete Irina Jacqui |
I had the
opportunity to wear my Vietnamese pearls, rescued from a cupboard in Katy and Jeff's house,
and one of the many saris left behind in Pete’s house by the reckless tenants.
There was
fabulous dancing
And a
very cheerful lively band.
And today
– yes MAYBE Lego World Malaysia!!
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