Believe it or not, we have left Danga Bay. YAY. Our departure was quiet and smooth and our two neighbours woke early to see us off (think we woke them when we started the engine), oh well, was nice to be waved off. Thank you ‘Amulet’ and ‘Moonfire’. Now to catch up with Greg on ‘Lupari 2’ (known affectionately to us as ‘Lupi’) as both boats are booked to be lifted onto the hardstand at Penang for some antifouling and other jobs.
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Heading down Johor Straits |
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We see lots of these local fishing boats |
Lupi is anchored just downstream behind a small island (Perembang) at the junction of the Singapore and Malacca Straits. The two skippers deem it necessary to scrape some barnacles off the hull and propeller before we proceed to ensure a quick and smooth sail northward. Of course we didn’t sail, we used the engine the entire way due to the lack of wind (or it being right on the nose) although during a sumatra (storm) blowing across the strait both skippers wished they had all the sails up to assist with the sluggish progress we were making against the tide. This storm did not last long, we only skirted along side of it and it was the only roughish patch for the 8 days in the Strait.
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Any further out of the water and she will fall over - see the propeller tip? |
Unfortunately we did not have time to go ashore to explore any of our idyllic anchorages as the time factor was too tight and a couple of late evening arrivals saw two very tired Bluestones early to bed to catch the dawn tide next morning.
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Angsa Island anchorage at Klang River |
The people at Limbongan Batu Maung (Pen Marine) hardstand were ready for both boats on the designated day and although the entire process took around 5 hours all went very well, the staff were particular and careful. The ground staff here work 7 days starting at 8am until 7pm and work progressed along (slowly) and management could not do enough for us. Some of the boys were a little perplexed with Bluestone’s hull construction, they kept tapping the hull (steel? fiberglass?) so the skipper took pains to tap the concrete under his feet, point to the hull and say “sama” (same). They were fascinated but walked away scratching their heads, we don’t think they had seen a concrete boat before. I’m sure they will all be there when we go back into the water to see if we sink.
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Lupari 2 is lifted first |
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Then it's our turn |
Life up and down the ladder went on as is expected in a shipyard, buckets lowered over the side on a rope to do the washing, rubbish thrown from the deck into bins with precision accuracy, (cough) tools and drinks passed up and down when the skipper calls and the other necessary jobs that are continuous on a boat and then there’s the jobs that can only be done when you are out of the water – for example, skin fittings through the hull. We have a new water inlet valve and have refitted the speed indicator gizmo thingy (that’s the technical nautical term). Our propeller has been re-pitched (whatever the heck that means! looks pretty and shiny now though) the two anchors have been galvanized and are also shiny and new looking and a new hull colour. See…………
Looks white, we know, but actually has a blue tinge to it in different lights. Therefore, we will not be changing our name, we think Bluestone has to stay and we are very happy with the paint job. Although the crew can see another paint job on its way ….. the decks and cabin sides to match!
A short walk over the hill behind the shipyard revealed a very good Chinese restaurant and so as our stay was extended (due to the colour change) we were happy to frequent the restaurant when stocks got low rather than trundle to the supermarket and the restaurant was happy in return to sell us a bit extra to take home.
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Overlooking the shipyard |
Finally, we are lowered back into the water to check the integrity of the new fittings before waving our new found friends farewell and head off to be tourists again. It was a very good feeling being back in the water after two weeks on concrete.
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The boys are ready with the fenders for when we are lowered back into the water. |
We spent our first night anchored off Jerejak Island watching the monkeys scavenge on the beach while eating our dinner. This is how it’s meant to be.
Next morning cruising into Georgetown took only an hour where we caught up with Lupi again and then caught a bus to the supermarket to replenish diminished stocks. We anchored here for a few days off the heritage listed Chew Jetty in what is known as ‘junk anchorage’. Chew jetty is one of the ‘clan’ jetties which are the biggest waterfront settlement in Georgetown having been established over 100 years ago. There are about seven jetties each one named after the clan/family that settled there from China, Chew Jetty being the largest (and best preserved) and the only remaining one that still pays annual homage to Thnee Kong or ‘god of the skies’. We were able to tie the dinghy up to the wharf there and wander into town past friendly smiles and waves from the occupants still living there today.
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Looking toward Georgetown from Junk Anchorage |
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Chew Jetty |
On our return from dinner one evening we were caught out by a deluge and took refuge under a verandah of one of the houses on the jetty. Across from us was a couple and their friend visiting their “Chew” friends and next thing we were ushered inside, plied with drinks (beer, soft drink) and eating crab with them for a couple of hours until the rain eased. The evening was absolutely wonderful and we were overwhelmed by the hospitality and friendliness of these people. A night we will always remember.
During the course of our unexpected visit we were taken aback by a little girl, obviously a family member, running into the house with a couple of bags from McDonalds for the children. Slowly the 21st century is taking over hopefully these jetties and families will somehow survive the “rat race”.
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Bluestone at Penang |
We are now off to Langkawi Island……………catch you soon.