17th July - Sandakan

Thursday 17^th July

Downtown Sandakan

Today features a blogpost entry from Nicky in Tasmania (I loved this story…)

Nicky in Langkawi

I just love the way Pete holds onto his treasured belongings until the bitter end stitching, taping and MacGyvering whatever he can possible salvage. Reading about his Tilly hat reminded me of a funny story I heard last night.  A retired local medical specialist who is always keen to save a penny (like Captain Pete) was travelling with his wife in Europe.  Not wanting to pay for one of those automatic toilets twice he ducked inside as his wife came out.  He was then locked in while the automatic loo went through its wash cycle!  Needless to say it was a wet and somewhat horrifying experience.  I'm not sure that was the bang for his buck he was after.  

We went for dinner with Dave and Jacqui (SV Jackster) two nights ago, along the waterfront.  As we were coming to the end of our meal, we were approached by the people a nearby table.  Excuse me, but could you possibly be off the yachts, out there in the harbour??  We were delighted to meet Jane and Ian, on honeymoon, from the north of England, where they run a very busy restaurant.  (It sounded so nice I wanted to go there right then and there to eat some of their delicious food.  I am just a bit tired of Borneo food…) They are having a fabulous five week holiday – Myanmar and Borneo, with lots of adventures.  But what they REALLY want to do is…buy a boat and go cruising, maybe in ten years from now.  Did we have any advice??  Well the poor darlings were swamped with information and recommendations - of course!  (I said: get the biggest boat you can afford – space is very important - and make sure you have LOTS of books downloaded on your electronic device…)

Pete Dave Jacqui Jane Marguerite Ian

It is quite late and I am tired (just for a change) and hot (just for a change.)  So I am not going to write very much… Tomorrow is another day!  My ears will be better; my phone will be charged – John and Catherine have arrived and I have a beautiful new charger with an extra long cord.  I hope to spend a few happy hours being very cool and productive in the breezy yacht club, with my restored computer plugged into a power point.

turtle tracks (ALMOST as good as seeing real live turtles...)