Today we clear customs and immigration in Brunei to go back to Malaysia via Labuan a duty free island some 20 odd miles up the coast. We leave in 20 knots plus wind sailing at 8+ knots with Genoa alone, it is great and a straight line to Labuan with the wind behind us. We make good time although the wind drops to about 14 knots closer to Labuan which is ok because we have to dodge many parked up ships and workboats as we head into the harbour area near the township. We clear immigration back into Malaysia and customs and hit the town for dinner - Indian not far from the wharves. Looks like an interesting place - be good to have a good look around tomorrow.

We went past the Shell Service Station on the water for the Water Village boats, and up the channels and waterways. Back at Club 1 we have to clear immigration and customs to head out back to Malaysia where we will enter at Labuan Island, a duty free port just off the mainland surrounded by shipping, laid up vessels and workboats.

With twenty two knots plus of wind as we entered Brunei Channel we just put up the headsail and set a straight course for Palau Labuan. Storm cells were behind us and to the starboard, we enjoyed the winds from the sucking clouds to make good time across the bay until about 2/3rd of the way across the wind came back to about 14 knots so we slowed a bit but sailed in past the laid up ships and local traffic to enter Victoria.

Now Labuan was under English rule until 1942 when the Japanese took up occupation, it was returned to local democracy in 1945 by the 9th Brigade from Australia.

We took up anchor in the now slightly crowded bay between the Police and the water village opposite the main town area and ferry terminal. Right outside a mosque as well which meant we got the 4.00am call whether we needed it or not!

To go to town we could take the local water taxi or dinghy and we went into town for Indian dinner which was great.

A nice little harbour with very busy shipping and commercial traffic and many workboats laid up.

There is a marina under construction and some yachts went and tied up in there. It has a new administrative office nearing completion and they hope to open in September - we visited by foot and spoke to the project manager. It looks like it will be great.