The long slog up the Malacca straits has got to be high on our list of least enjoyed journeys. Giant ships charge up and down the fairways. We sail inshore of them through lines of fishing boats, and seas strewn with plastic muck and debris. We decided that we would forgo the joys of dodging fishing nets etc at night so have been day hoping up the coast. Even so it has not been a pleasant motor. What wind there is tends to be on the nose and fickle so it is engines all the way. On the way to Pangkor we seem to have had constant rain and thunderstorms. Altogether not very pleasant. The debris in the water is incredible. In one area loads of fishing boats swarmed over the rubbish filled water to find fish hiding under the garbage. We keep a constant watch for fishing nets but a white buoy is very similar to a white fast food box. Our starboard engine suddenly juddered to a halt. A large sail or wrapped tarpaulin complete with string had attached itself to the propellor. Thank goodness we have two engines. So once clear of the filthiest section we stopped the boat and our intrepid diver, Jackie, headed overboard knife in hand. After about half an hour she had freed the prop and we continued on into the next thunder storm. Only a couple of hours later the port engine spluttered, as we approached an anchorage. We continued to the anchorage and this time Michael tried to look. The water was so murky he couldn't see the propeller at all. Luckily the plastic bag detached itself in the strong river current and we were able to proceed.

We are now anchored off Pangkor. This is an attractive set of islands. The first attractive piece of coastline we have seen in Malaysia. Up till this point it has been flat, drab and murky. Pangkor though has hills, greenery and pretty inlets. Albeit a few too many jet skiers but a pleasant change. You can see the propellers here. From Pangkor we are doing another long day hop to Penang where we plan to stay a few days and explore the town.