Antiductivity
04 November 2015 | Puteri Harbout Marina, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Thursday 29 October 2015
Felicitous news continues to rain happy. Although stateroom AC always worked, saloon unit has been defunct forever (slight hyperbole) after operating a short time following 2nd replacement of start capacitor. Figured it was weary, old compressor killing the things, but wanted to try one more time, so dug down to remove said bit for discovery that one of its connections was loose (suspect the rabbit). Once put right, the unit sprang to life and is, as we speak, working its little heart out to envelope us in cool bliss. This morning at 1000 the Fahrenheit temp is 82 with heat index 100. Afternoon observation to follow - eventually.
Friday
Reports from Malaysia have been delightfully correct: first world benefits, third world prices, friendly people and the Bahasa we learned in Indonesia works pretty well here, although nearly everyone speaks American. English speakers such as Jan, Aussies and assorted others struggle a bit.
Afternoon temp 91F (33C). Feels like 108F (42C).
Saturday
Spoke too soon as AC start capacitor has oozed molten plastic around connector to reestablish original misgivings about compressor. However, expect to try more robust unit requiring minimal ringgits before invoking outside expertise.
Sunday
Although possessing new Canadian passport for only 3 years, Jan has used all space for stamps. US allows purchase of extra pages. Had to obliterate Costa Rica to place full page Indonesian visa therein and now Malaysia immigration although testy about overlapping its stamp did so with strong recommendation to fix. Half of crew will visit Singapore tomorrow as distaff component stays home to preclude getting stuck there for the 3 weeks renewal requires. She has solo appointment for leg wax which is fine as rest of crew is insufficiently hairy at this point for concern. Will presently apply for new paperwork in Kuala Lumpur to be delivered to Langkawi if Canada officialdumb will do that and the crik don't rise (southern US expression).
Will continue this evening on quest to try every bar and restaurant in Puteri Resort before departure to points north around 9 November.
Monday
Leaving for the big city state at 0700 began a process that ended around 2030 with 8 separate bus rides (divided by 4 trips into immigration and/or customs) and 2 (potentially 4) subway legs. Initially deposited near Raffles Hospital (Jan's bionic knee) to commence trek up Rocher Rd. and Jalan Besar for electrical/electronic gear (Sim Lim Sq and Tower), boat gear (Marintech and Aqua Int'l.) and nearly anything else (Mustafa Center). Traded a boat unit for about 20 kg of various crap that was schlepped back to Puteri with help from Mike of Fyne Spirit who prides himself on buying and subsequently carrying as little as possible. Didn't help him this time.
Thursday (the next one)
This is getting out of hand. Can't seem to finish one of these things without dragging on for days.
As Tuesday and Wednesday were squandered at dentist, dermatologist, optometrist, phone store, clothing store, grocer and several other places that escape memory (not even to mention happy hour(s) schmoozing with good friends, mates and nearly everyone else in the vicinity), have used none of purchases to fix anything except AC... priorities. Even that took 2 days as a power wire came loose and hid in rat's nest of others for a day. New start capacitor is big enough to get Starship Enterprise rebooted. By the way there are new TV series, movie and Spock hand emoji to keep trekkie's hearts aflutter for awhile. Live long and prosper.
OK, that's it. Really, really, really must do something productive today. Various deadly sins regrettably held in abeyance for the interim.
Jack