Sunday, 9th November, 2008

Had not realized that it is now 2 weeks since we updated our blog so thought I had better get into gear and update everyone. I actually find the best time for updates is when we are on a passage as once at a port or anchorage we seem to be on the go, either restocking food or sight seeing.

We did arrive at Mesanak Island at 5.30pm on 26th Oct. but we were up and away early the next morning doing a 32 mile trip (motor sailed) all the way to Tanjungpinang on Bintan Island, along with Purnama & Destiny. As we arrived just after 2pm we headed off in the dinghy ashore to have a look at the city. An interesting place with a mixture of the usual type of Indonesian shops plus some more up market ones. The harbour was pretty filthy and no way that one would go for a swim. However we did have a heavy shower of rain so cooled things off a bit.

Another early start next morning for a 33 mile trip to the top of Batam Island in readiness to cross the Singapore Strait. Purnama and us left Batam at 7.15pm on 29th and did the 10 mile trip across the Strait and Destiny headed off to Singapore. We really had to be on our metal as there were ships everywhere and had one or two blast their horns at us. We then motored another 7 miles up the Sungai Santi River to the Sebana Cove Marina where we arrived at 10.45am. Once sorted etc. we then had to do the Customs and Immigration thing but it was the easiest we have ever done as the Marina staff organized most of it and was all done in less than half an hour.

Sebana Cove marina is part of a resort so we had the use of their facilities for free with the main one being the swimming pool which all us yachties hammered. Next day we went by the resort bus to the local village, Sungai Rengit to restock the meat and vegetable supply and it was great to be able to get broccoli and cauliflower. High on the priority list was a 240 volt fan as we are now into the very hot, humid monsoon weather. Am virtually ringing wet all day.

As Thursday was Dave's birthday we had eleven us for drinks and nibbles on our boat before going to the resort restaurant for dinner where we had a lovely meal and very reasonably priced. Janine had made Dave a birthday cake so we had that back on the boat for dessert. I might add that Dave still had a dessert at the restaurant. Somehow while in Sebana Cove the time flew by with doing some maintenance work on the boat and a few trips to the village to get the odd things for the boat that we needed. It was also great to catch up with our friends, Sue and Ian from Icy Red whom we had not seen since Tonga in 2004 and some of the other rally participants.

Tuesday night we had Rob & Jacquey from Mary Eliza for dinner as rob had done some work on our computers. We first met them in Samoa in 2004. Friday night we had dinner on board Catala as they are not moving on with us at present as they have some engine repairs. Last night we had farewell drinks with Chris & Linda on Gitano and then had Ian and Sue for a barbecue on board. Even though the marina is not that big with only 2 piers it is amazing that we could go for several days without seeing various ones. We all seemed to be so busy doing boat maintenance or fixing things.

While at the marina we had internet service so was able to update our web with photographs which I finally finished yesterday. Also was able to listen to the NZ election results on 1ZB on the internet. Looked to see if we were enrolled on the internet and found we weren't so did that on the internet and found on Wednesday that it was done and downloaded ballot papers and faxed our vote off on the same day.

We had planned to be up and away at 5am this morning to head across the Singapore Strait for Johor Bahru but we were awakened at 4.20am with rain so had to close all the hatches. Most days we have had rain, thunder and lightening and usually in the afternoon but didn't get it yesterday. Usually only lasts for about half an hour and it does cool the heat down a bit. However, we went back to bed for another half hour before getting up and we left at 5.10am. We have had to dodge dozens of ships in the Strait and there are just hundreds in it - never seen so many ships in one place. We arrived there at 5.45pm having virtually motor sailed the whole 59 miles as no wind. We may go in to Singapore tomorrow with Neil & Maree on Purnamu who came up here on Thursday.

We are joining a number of other rally boats up there and then leave on Sunday, 16th with the Sail Malaysia rally which heads up to Langkawi. From there it is a stepping stone to Thailand and great cruising grounds. There are a few activities on the way but it is a very leisurely rally which is what we need. Six months of rushing has been quite hard going and it was nice to have 10 days in one place at Sebana Cove.