Walter and Robyn on SV ANNWN

It is very early in the morning of Annwn's first blog entry. Just a few chores to complete - fill up water tanks, remove boom tent, tie down dinghy, stow air conditioner - oh yes! have another cup of tea. Then we are off at last, heading to Singapore to catch up with family, cruising buddies and visiting friends. After too much time on the hard, it will be great to be on the move again. Perhaps Hughie will send a gentle breeze to allow us to remember how to sail!

Terengganu is a bustling city where you can find most anything. We berthed in the marina and could dinghy across the river to Chinatown. Hired a car and did a day run to Thai border to renew our visas - interesting process involving four queues and a bridge. Queue to check out of Malaysia, walk across bridge, queue to check into Thailand, walk around corner of building, queue to check out of Thailand, walk across bridge, queue to check into Malaysia - then drive back to Terengganu.
Spent some time on washing boats and clothes, shopping for food supplies and diesel and as usual trying different eating places.
A day motor/sail took us to Redang Island. Wow! Greeted by crystal clear water and turtles who are used to being fed by tourists. The boat got a good scrub, we snorkelled and had beach picnic dinners.
The local village is is very friendly with cattle and goats roaming the street so you need to be careful where you walk.
After a week we headed bit further north to the Perhentian Islands and anchored off Turtle Beach. We could see where the turtles come ashore and lay eggs which are collected by the Rangers and nurtured until they hatch. Some great coral to see so we happily filled four days in and out of the water.
Sadly we have had to turn around and start heading back. So we are again in Redang for a few days and we will move slowly south to Singapore and then take Annwn back to Pangkor, before we fly back to Australia.
PS Thank you Debbie Young for some great photography.

After two days in the outer Harbour at Kemamam, we moved up river to anchor off the town of Banda Cukai. The town is good for food and diesel supplies, and has plenty of small restaurants to visit. The highlight was the local signature dish of Stuffed Crab, and a lunch with Captain Waung (friend of a friend), a local helicopter pilot. He took us to Tong Cheng for a superb Chinese lunch.
Taking the dinghy to shore was always an adventure because of the tide. We switched from stuck in the mud to climbing onto stone steps, up wooden jetties and across moored fishing boats.
We moved back to the outer Harbour ready for an early start and were greeted with the obligatory thunderstorm. Left at first light in very dingy weather for most of the day.
At Tenggol, after Wal carefully checked, we hooked up to their dive boat moorings (as there is no anchoring allowed) and spent the next three days over a coral garden in beautifully clear water. Boat hull was cleaned, lots of swims and snorkeling. A delightful spot, three dive schools and a resort for accommodation and constant company of dive boats hooked up to us as we were on the dive mooring.
Quite eerie hearing divers bubbles running up the side of the hull.
Moved to Kapas Island further north - more swims and walks and a nasty blow that caused anchors to lift and an anxious half hour with the motor keeping the boat in a safe spot. I really do not like big black thunder storms!
Have motored to Kuala Terengannu and plan to leave Annwn in marina and do a visa renewal run to Thailand (by land/car) tomorrow. Cheers - Robyn and Wal.

Headed north from Tioman with the intention of stopping at Pulau Valella, which turned out to be a pimple on the water and surrounded by fishing nets. So an overnighter was the go. All good until one of Hughie's best and most spectacular thunderstorms erupted. So a wet, cold, sleepless and tiring trip ended at daybreak at Kuala Temanan, Chukai. We were happy to drop anchor behind the sea wall and have a big rest.
After a day or so, we travelled carefully up the river (thank you Aquarius for being the Queen of Depths as our sounder is not reliable) and anchored off the main town.
Many fishing boats of varying sizes come and go day and night so there is always something to see. The town is good for supplies, supermarkets and fresh food markets, but is best known for its signature dish of Stuffed Crab. We have sampled two versions and tonight's was the winner. Our other best trick was to have the dinghy stranded by the tide up a muddy creek. Wal, while sinking in mud up to his knees, managed to drag it to floating depth. Umm, I think his sneakers will need a bath or maybe we just get some new ones. A few more days here and we will head further north.

Well we have managed to be here for three weeks. Sailed in with John and Gail and spent time in Tekek and at Monkey Bay. Good snorkeling and an interesting deserted restaurant type building on our very own beach.
Met up with Gary and Libby on Aquarius, and after a week of return visits to the Seafood BBQ restaurant we sailed and motored to Teluk Juara an the east side of the island.
There we discovered clear water, coral and Bushman's Cafe which we have been regularly visiting for breakfast and dinner. The anchorage has been good, although last night a hissy fit blew in from the NE creating a roller coaster non-sleep. Not a welcome event as we had made a huge effort to walk up to the waterfall and were very tired. AND we didn't find the waterfall. Maybe another attempt by a different route this afternoon.
Wal and Gary have travelled over to Tekek to check out and get last minute supplies and our plan is to head north tomorrow for some island hopping to Redand and the Perhentians.

Motoring through Johor Straits - an eye opener to see huge shipping industry and both Singapore and Malaysia busily reclaiming land. Is there a rule as to how close you can go to the next country across the water?
Rounded Johor East and headed north. Stops at Jason's Bay in between the fishing nets, Sibu Island at the bar that was not open - very rolly anchorage, Tinggi Island tucked in behind a reef - most amazing hotel (for Hobbits I think), and then Tioman Island.
Only had two short sails, the rest was motoring.
Marina here is Raffertys Rules - find a spot and grab it - no booking "this is a public marina". Wal created a double adaptor for power (thanks Paul for the spare connectors) and the hose gives a dribble of water, but the Seafood BBQ restaurant is highly recommended.