From Tinggi Island we started a slow and leisurely sail to Tioman Island a renowned and beautiful spot and a marine park. The day started slowly motoring and uneventful and we had about a five to six hour trip planned. Mostly motor sailing we were doing ok and making water etc as we went. Approaching Tioman a very steep and 3500 feet high peak island of jungle we were catching three or four boats that we knew and there were signs of a tropical storm and rain coming through in the last couple of hours of our approach. We had passed a couple of trawlers who proudly showed off their catch.

Then whammy the breeze swung around and we had lightning and thunder to the north and the breeze backing around the clock and before we knew it we were right under a thunder storm in company with four other boats one of which was having gear box trouble and was under tow.

The tow was cast off as we milled around the storm intensified, flash- lightning, boom, thunder it was right overhead and a fork of lightning flashed down and hit the water very close to "Milliways" one of the boats near us. A voice boomed over the radio "we've been hit by lightning, all ok but have lost our navigation"! The thunder was deafening as the lightning flashed simultaneous with the boom, boom of thunder. Milliways was the boat that had been struck, they had lost all their instruments and radio, fortunately they had a hand held as a backup. We floundered around in the circling winds and driving bullets of enormous raindrops waiting for a little clearing.

Eventually it cleared and to cut the story short (due to the fact that it is 11.45pm just now) one of the boats that we knew accompanied Milliways into the marina and we towed Panthalassa, the boat with gearbox problems, to the marina entrance where waiting dinghies tied along side and guided it into the marina, fortunately we also were given a berth in the new marina which is now full, for the first time, with boats from the rally@!

Fellow boaties were heading up the street for a Seafood BBQ at 7.30pm which we participated and caught up with others from last years rally that had by passed Sebana Cove.

Some of the group opted for the chinses restaurant next door and about 12 of us had the fresh seafood bbq selecting our own fresh fish and squid from the selection available. Beers purchased at the duty free next door, sitting outside under the stars on a very comfortable balmy evening. Food and company excellent and enjoyed by all.