Malaysia

Our view of Malaysia was not the most interesting one.  For a start we spent much of our time in western style marinas – marinas that look pretty much the same as they look anywhere else in the world (except here they are at least affordable).  When Mojombo wasn’t in a marina she was motoring up the western side of the Malay Peninsular – up through the Straits of Malacca.  On the port side there were ships, lots of them, and on the starboard side a low, and generally unremarkable coastline.  

Clouds looming over the ancient maritime highway, the Straits of Malacca

We were motoring because mostly there was barely a breath of wind – or if there was it was on the nose.  As well, compared to Indonesia Malaysia enjoys considerable wealth and with this wealth they have built highways, shopping centres, parking lots, gas stations and yes marinas – and well... much of it felt a bit deja vu.  However there were some delightful highlights, particularly Melaka, Penang and Lankawie.

Puteri Harbour
Preparation is everything!!??  Trouble is... if you take the time to make all necessary and desirable preparations for ocean voyaging you might never leave - there is always at least one more thing that would be a really good idea.  So making our departure from Brisbane in Mojombo we just set a date and left – despite lots still needing doing.  Puteri Harbour was the first place that proved really convenient for undertaking some of the outstanding work.

A stones throw from the shops of Singapore and an attractive place in its own right - at Puteri Mum and Dad worked on a new mainsail cover, a sun awning and on the engine – along with a host of minor things.

Meanwhile Zeke and Nina met brother and sister, Elliot and Marina.  Starved of some good kid company, all four got on like a house on fire.  While Mum and Dad worked the kids pretty much had the run of the docks and shore facilities – we could allow this with confidence knowing they were safe. 

The marina provided some good toys too!

Nice dresses huh??!

While there Elliot turned twelve and the boys had a bang-up party and sleep-over!

Raj – a really lovely man - a Nepalese guest worker and security guard at the marina – here enjoying some of Elliot’s birthday cake (all the guards wore spats - nice colonial touch huh?)