Thursday 17 December 2015

Hard to believe we've been here for over 2 weeks: 2 days anchored off the big town of Kuah then Rebak Island Marina since the 4th. A regular free ferry runs between here and the main island of Langkawi which is itself around 20 NM offshore. As it's a duty-free port stuff (e.g. alcohol) is cheap, way cheap. Plus parts and supplies can be shipped in with no tax, no duty, no hassle and no going walkabout. Cool.

Probably thought Jan had croaked, causing delay in producing next entry in this blog, but she made full recovery from kidney krud and now swims every day in the resort pool. Good thing too as she was able to withstand the car accident without ill effect. What's that you say? We drove around Langkawi Monday with our Canadian buddies off Inspiration Lady in a 40 ringgit a day (9.25 USD), uninsured rental to pick up large quantities of liquid provisions (1L Gordon's < 7USD). On the way back car slid off a steep, off-camber, rain and oil slicked road, across a ditch and into the side of a cliff. Jan and I were in front with belts and escaped unscathed, Gary & Jackie got rattled a bit and she sports 3 stitches in her forehead and a pretty good shiner. Jan, who was driving is eaten up with guilt and generally blaming herself for all the ills of humanity. Only other casualties besides cardboard wine boxes out of 48 bottles of adult beverage and 2 cases of mixer were 3 ounces of tonic. Balance of can was saved and subsequently added to that England concoction with a squeeze of lime to protect against malaria, avoid scurvy and smooth off hard edges of previous adrenaline rush. Fortunately we crumpled the least worthy vehicle in Mr. Din�'s entire, tired fleet, so compensation was reasonable. We rent from him again tomorrow.

Solar panel are finally wired (and actually operating). AC has new relay and seems to like it so boat sometimes remains cool (marina shore power is often 25 volts low, tripping it off). A strobe tube (plus spare) is in hand to be shortly installed. A fitting has been machined and new sensor installed with wiring to show level in second water tank. Sewing machine has arrived to amuse Jan and result in massive stitching on everything in sight. Larder is full and anyway eating ashore is good and cheap. Life here doesn't suck.

Friday

Rented the deluxe, 50 ringgit car from Din today (have heard he has one for 60.. tires probably have tread) and brought it back intact. Although a craft center (manly men don't normally go to these kinds of places, but this is really a good one.. honest) and the highly precarious and daunting gondola ride up a thousand meter cliff (slight hyperbole) to an observation peak were open not much else was. Apparently Friday is Malaysia's Saturday and Saturday is their Sunday. Somehow Sunday seems to be Sunday too so finding stores open can be a challenge.

Saturday

Today is anchor light and strobe repair day. While Jan's at the pool, ship's technical staff will prepare bosun's chair and tools for mast ascent. As soldering and other possibly delicate activities while dangling 64' (19.5 meters) above the water will be necessary, procrastination is a viable option.

- Later

Displaying peerless observational capabilities after nearly destroying the strobe mount with butane torch while removing bulb, discovered that entire unit comes off. Brought it down, did all repairs using more appropriate soldering iron (anchor light bulb was actually burned out) then popped it back on. One more project completed and we're better people for it.

Despite the fact that there are very few residents of Malaysia who recognize the event (9%), the shopping centers are decorated with colored lights and Christmas carols are played constantly. Guess everybody loves an excuse to party.

Monday

Northeast monsoon has arrived and west peninsula has become more comfortable. It must be winter. Flight to Brisbane on the 28th to clear out Jan's storage room (everything physical we both own will then be on the boat) will place us back into summer where it's cooler. That's how it's suppose to work, right? AC again emulates a sullen teenager, working reluctantly with an attitude. Help scheduled for Boxing Day (day after Christmas about which most Americans are clueless). This is the day the Bourgeoisie traditionally give a box of presents to the hoi polloi. We don't really do that.

Jack