Friday, April 22, 2016

Across the Straits and into Indonesia

 

 

Thank goodness we have had an air conditioner on the boat while we were based at Senibong. Not only has it kept the boat mould free in the months we have left her here and enjoyed travelled by other means but the heat and humidity has been quite unbearable and to be able to seek refuge down below in the coolness of the cabin has helped us keep our sanity these last few weeks while we waited for our gearbox to be repaired. I wont go into too much detail but just say it was taken out of the boat and returned to Kuala Lumpur 4 times before it was right. It really tested our patience. But many thanks to our mechanic Mr Choo from Supreme Power Engineering for not giving up and sticking with us on this one. He was recommended to us for his good work and we in turn have no problem passing him on to anyone who needs engine work done up here.20160217_133519 (800x450)

 Once Jerry was happy with the gearbox we were able to slip the boat at Dalac Marine for antifouling and general underwater check. For some reason Dalac has decided that yachties can no longer work on their own boat, for whatever reason they chose to do this remains a mystery. However, after many emails and phone calls we were allowed the privilege of working on our own boat for the daily cost per person of $50! We decided that $50 a day was manageable but no way were we paying for 2 of us at $100 per day. So we drew straws and unlucky for Jerry he drew the short one and for the first time in 30 years of owning a boat I got to sit back and relax in the airconditioned cabin while Jerry slaved below in the intense heat reflecting off the concrete and the horrible humidity.

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I did of course make sure he was well hydrated and fed during the day and also treated him to an ice cream late afternoon as a reward for all his hard work. I also did some secret work, unbeknown to the staff, some paint repairs on the  deck and varnishing down below in the cabin. We remained living  onboard for the 9 days while all this was going on, not very pleasant making the dash to the loo in the morning and not very pleasant having a mandi (shower) in the cockpit as the showers were so disgusting. But we soldiered on and were very quickly back in the water all cleaned up and ready for our next sail through Indonesia and back to Australia. That was a good enough incentive to make our stay on the hardstand as short as possible.

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Back to Senibong for a few days to stock up on final fresh food, gas, diesel, make some new flags and sadly to sell our beloved airconditioner!

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20160410_093038 gas filling (450x800)We said our goodbyes to Balan the manger and his friendly, helpful staff and motored off down the river to T.Pengelih where we checked out of Malaysia.

It was time to go as the smog from, fires, burning off? had already started and first thing in the mornings the air was quite horrible to breath.

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Our first day out was not taking us very far, just 11nm across the Singapore Straits and into Nongsa Point Marina, Batam Island, Indonesia. We had a gentle breeze blowing so we were able to shake the cobwebs out of the sails and enjoyed a very gentle non stressful crossing of the Straits.

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Indonesia has just introduced a new system for cruising boats which is supposed to make it a lot easier for yachts to sail up here. We no longer need a CAIT permit and do not need to check in with every harbourmaster we happen to cross. So we shall see how this new system works We do however have a CAIT as we applied for ours before the new system was implemented, hopefully we will not have to show it but if we do it means that the new system is not working and could mean it will save us a lot of hassles and backhanders. So far our check in has gone smoothly but then that could be because the staff here at Nongsa take care of it for you for a fee of $50 and encourage you to sit by the pool and relax while formalities take place. Since this will be our last marina now until Australia we do not mind enjoying what it has to offer.

Its very hot without the airconditioner! We are beginning to think that life onboard without it is hell, but I guess we will get used to it. Marinas are generally very hot as they are surrounded by buildings so it should be cooler when we are out of here and anchoring everyday.

Tomorrow we take a car with driver into town where we will get simcards for phone and internet so we can check weather and stay in touch through the islands.

Hopefully we meet more interesting folk like young Scott on his small yacht who has singlehanded from USA across the Pacific and leaves tomorrow for Malaysia. His small petrol inboard engine will only run for 3 hrs in the heat up here so he decided to buy a traditional longtail to help him along in the breezeless air. It is so very noisy and thirsty, 4L of petrol an hour! But he’s out there living the dream and enjoying it too!

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Its good to be out on the sea and moving again and even better we are headed to Australia.

P.S. Something I have been doing in my spare time…for Oliver, of course!

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