Just Cruizin On Bluemoon

Log 61

Thought I would update so you all know what we have been up to and where we are... with all this piracy, yachties have been hit hard accross the Indian Ocean!! Terrible, TERRIBLE!!!! We were exploring Penang which is a wonderful adventurous little place... or rather quite big! And having alot of fun along the way. We got so used to the free hop on buses and took great advantage of it. They have a set route they travel, so you can stop or jump on at various points. Most days we headed off to Komtar to get some daily provisions and also just to get out. Walking around here has also been very nice! Except as most yachties know, walking can be just as exhausting with so much of it, especially in this humidity and heat! We had collected most of our materials in Kuah and then got our chemicals and other goodies here in Panang for this family project which we have been so busy with! And boy has it been quite tough, no physical but more mental, and we are doing it in the COCKPIT!! We have all been going to bed around 1 and 2am just working on this project which has been rather fun too. Though it is slow going, it has slowly been taking it's toll on all of us as getting up early, sleeping late.... and the mess.... well that is another story all together!! Yet it is great! Justine and I hoofed it up to the canvas lady to sew us a canopy cover for our Bimini as the paint has worked extremely well except for the zips which you cannot paint and where the water is coming in... now almost every night you have rain, hard rain, which we are all getting accustomed to except for always being wet!! So we placed our order and gave our specs and then went for coffee which is real good in these parts!! I cannot believe how much I have learned about coffee from Amanda!!! The aroma, the taste OOOOooooohhhhhh I LOVE IT!!!!!!! The one and only thing about the marina we do not like is the filthy water!! It is thick with muck! Really! It is green and just terrible!! It was also quite scary some of the things you found coming into the heads!!! So we closed our sea-cocks inlet off and used fresh water to do the job seeing as we had so much of it, easing all our minds! That way the scale build up was stopped immediately! Now when we came it we were instructed to come in bows first which isn't really a problem except for the little fact that we could not get onto the jetty!!!! We all have been jumping off the bows which is making us all a little flexible! lol Jess has been watching lots of DVD's in the airconed - big screened tv room! Justine and I have been trotting off to Komtar on a regular basis.... and this place you can get lost in! Now the one place we found that we absolutely love is the bakery!!!! It is a real, proper bakery with lots of wonderful, different things we recognize or know!! And as my family know too, I am totally addicted to Panang's Coffee buns!!!! Delish! So you know what we have been snacking on every time we off to Komtar!! heheheh John and Jono love the coffee buns, except for Jess.... she never drinks coffee, never has - only tea and will not have a coffee bun under any circumstance! We went to fetch our covers after a day or two, and happily put them on. Yet, the sides somehow were just 100m too short!! lol Like give us a BREAK!!!! So now we have still been getting wet as the rain comes in now through the back!!! At anchor you tend to point into the wind....... We have thoroughly enjoyed Panang - the people have been wonderful! Friendly and very helpful! Like when the girls and I went shopping at Komtar for provisions, we landed up with like 10 bags each to carry and it was pretty ridiculous at how our legs were wobbling all the way across to the bus stop - then we boarded the bus and had no-where to sit, so we just stood upfront with our packages except for Jess who used two seats - one for her and one for the packages, and so the bus driver kind of felt sorry for us falling all over the place trying to balance around corners! So he slowed down and would not allow anyone to get onto the bus from the normal front section - they were all redirected to go through the middle doors!!! LOL It was so funny! Then he even wanted to stop at the no stopping near the marina for us, but would have been the same distance as from the actual bus stop we were heading - then he even offered to help carry some of our packets... which of course we told him we were fine, only to see our fingers blue from no blood flow! Then I had a packed break open and our butter roll in front of oncoming traffic into the jetty!!!! These people are truly serious! No-one smiles or acknowledges you in those embarrassing situations ever! We were roaring with laughter trying to get our butter off the road!!! Man were we happy to head down the entrance ramp when the floods opened up!!! We all love Malaysia!! It is just an amazing and awesome place and the people definitely make your stay so much better! We will be coming back - for sure! We checked our visas and realized we were cutting our timing very fine! So we signed out the next day - did some shopping for a few extra provisions, then left the Marina the following day which was very stressful!!! The current rips through that marina at a speed, and not having starboard motors going astern....you have to be wide awake with fenders ready to fend off!! So we fed the mooring lines while steadying us, John working the port motor at a speed to get us moving safely away from the mooring fingers then thundered at a speed out the marina! Boy can we take a corner!!!! Exhilarating!!!!! So we packed the fenders away after not having to use them! We planned to leave rather early and head straight for Palau Payar .. but we only woke up after 9 and left Panang Marina at 11:15am!!!! As usual we had the wind on the nose! Though for a change the current was with us! As always we love the sailing! Getting out and moving over the water is always so refreshing and so welcoming! We enjoyed the sailing so much that, that when we reached P.P at 5:15pm we decided to continue onto Kuah which was another four hours sail... also banking on the time of twilight after sunset we realized we had the wrong setting on!!! Anyhow we dodged a few fishing boats then dropped anchor for the second time at 9:15pm!! The wind was up and the waters rather bumpy and rough as it had been blowing and raining solidly the last few days which of course whipped the sea up into some rough swells! The following morning we sailed onto Telaga to re-sign in and boy what a sail! 30 knots almost continuous! Short choppy seas with some big swell ... hadn't been so long since we sailed in some unpleasant waters.... and as usual the rain saw us coming, changed direction and yet again we were soaked anchoring in Telaga! Spent the rest of the day and well into the night trying to get the 5hp motor running! The dingy is hanging onto the last threads of glue... so we pumped her up, put the 5hp on and found her going better than before! We all had a rather early night. The following morning of the 23rd April, Bob and Deidre from s/v 'Plane Sailing' (SA) came to visit. It was great catching up again except for the once off piracy attack where they killed the husband and threw him overboard (From s/v Mr Bean) here in the Butang Islands (where we were headed) and they helped the wife with the funeral arrangements etc... Absolutely terrible!! We then got a short visit from Peter and Katherine from s/v 'The Southern Cross' (Aussie) who are also on a St Francis! Such wonderful amazing yachts!!! hehehehe We then headed off to Port Control, Immigration and customs, which went as usual, well. Then it was off to s/v 'PFM' (SA) to visit John and Sheila. Then to s/v 'Jenain' to see Bill and Marlize. It was wonderful to catch up and see all the familiar faces of everyone again!!! Of course the rain came down! We hired a car and headed off to PL SOON to provision for our trip the following morning of the 24th. So after a full day we headed back to Bluemoon, topped up on the diesel, petrol and filled the water tanks, packed supplies then headed off to the Indian Cafe around the corner. Their curries are the best!!! And though you do not get served in the same way you would in SA - (Bigger helpings) the way you eat your curries by dunking and with the fingers is quite an experience on it's own! Jono and I don't really like to get our hands as messy as they do get!! Though in all restaurants or take-away places, you will always find a basin and soap to wash your hands before and after you eat!! Quite a nice idea hey SA!!! Then with full bellies we headed back to B.Moon where we enjoyed Peter and Kathrine's company for awhile which was really lovely!! Great people! That night, John and I could not sleep so we headed onto deck and layed there for a while making all sorts of plans, reliving dreams and just making anything out of the clouds which were in abundance floating through the skies... it was just sooooo nice! John and I are really blessed to have such a good, open and close 'relationship and friendship' We were up early the following day, planning on leaving early so as to get some distance to Thailand before the weather really changed... and so we lifted anchor and headed out the bay.... the winds were already up to 25 knots pushing 30!! The ocean was ready for us with the wind right on the nose and the current against us and FRED not wanting to play the game!! So John and I helmed with Jono taking over, which was actually quite a nice change. . We hobby horsed for quite a long time over some big swells! Then John took over again and next minute Jono and I were screaming above the roaring wind to switch motors off as we went over a net and got some rope around the port motor! So after some time we managed to get it off before having to jump into the water! Thank the Lord for that! Jono was at the helm, Jess had the music on full ball, so everyone was listening to S. O Connor, John was relaxing, Justine sleeping and I was trying to catch up on the logs as not to forget anything, although I already have, but no worries, cannot put every minute of every day into these logs, though I certainly do try!!!!! We had the bungi out the whole time though caught nothing! The splashes were coming into the cockpit! Really rough! We all had our protective gear on.... yet it was enjoyable! We were only doing four knots yet were pounding into these waves man! That island just never seemed to get any closer to us!!! What should have taken like four hours was going close to eight!!!!! The swells were growing by the minute and we all thought about Meme when we went roller coasting down some rather big swells that came in a pattern! [] After a tiresome yet enjoyable day we picked up a mooring boy at 2:30 pm, very happy to be out the wind and swells. This place is awesome!! So pretty! White beaches.... reef!!! Man are we gonna explore! What a rapid change in events.... we all wake early to another glorious day, being shielded by the bay (the swells were still rough out there) had a great cuppa and decided on a quick clean up then some snorkelling... so I rush downstairs to brush my teeth out of the escape hatch as one water tank was low while watching beautiful schools of zebra fish swimming under the boat, then balance onto the knee bath and jump back into the heads onto the floor by the basin, but with a bulkhead in the way, I smacked my head so hard, I felt it move backwards, which then flew me into the bath backwards... leaving me dazed and disorientated. Like I have a vice grip around my head. I knew I had done something really wrong as I could not get myself together... so I manage to stumble up to the cockpit, where everyone is now looking at me holding my head which is starting to pain worse than a migraine and swell! My left arm from the shoulder down went dead. I could not move it! John was convinced I had cracked my skull because of the swelling and pressure especially on my right side of the brain, and under my right eye which was very painful! Also because I had entered stage two of the unconscious symptoms! I had a wispy pulse, could not make out a sentence or make one myself! I could hardly understand what everyone was asking me - it was terrible!!!!!!!!! All I wanted to do was sleep which was a no-no with the family. The whole day was a total blur! [] There was no hospitals around here, except for a clinic, and we had been using the kayak as the reef would have popped the duck so now to get me off the boat, and into the clinic... on the kayak... no one moved me... just monitored me after John gave me a good dose of anti inflammatories . It felt like my jaw and cheek bone had been detached!! It was really a very deflating and worrisome day! Needless to say the whole family spent the day in prayer!!! And we do serve a Mighty God!! He has done some incredible and wonderful things in our life, so we all just trusted and held onto Him for me to gain some consciousness of getting one step out of danger..... Everyone was worried. I could hardly see through my right eye without crying at the brightness and the pressure made it unbearable..... [] So with the best possible treatment anyone could have under the circumstances, I am slowly back on the road to recovery still with a massive headache.... I will go to the hospital when we get back to Langkawi, but John was told we could not sign out as the official went to the mainland, so we had to weight two more days!!!!. My arm is back to normal after two days of pins and needles. Yet no worries..... as God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things and right now I am sooooooooo far behind I will never die!! LOL We all went to the beach where the family body boarded except me.!! They had a blast! We took a sail to another island nearby which was really nice! Then a storm (which we thought looked like a Sumatra) rolled in and I swear it had eyes cause it was following us! When we changed course, it changed course, twice! The swells have been really large yet comfortable! So we rushed off back to our mooring which thankfully was still there! When the storm passed, Jono and John went snorkelling under the boat and of course there I was too with the camera! John was furious with me as the pressure..... anyways now he watches me like a hawk! Does not take his eyes off of everything I do! [] He says I am the naughtiest person he has ever met!!! Yea right!!! Like he's not! Lol While we were moored up, we noticed a charter boat anchored right on the shallow reef! So we all sit on the sugar scoop googling in shock how they land themselves on the rocks that pop out of the water at low tide! OOooohhhh!! That sound of crunching! We felt so helpless as our dingy was up and flat. Shame it was terrible! Jono was getting the kayak down to go and help as their anchor was stuck in the coral. Eventually out of the 8 young adults on board they managed to get out of the trouble and anchor right in front of us! Young Canadians. The kids spent the next hour pumping the dingy up and getting all the snorkelling gear ready. I continued to live on painkillers as the pain was constant. So Justine and Jono tied the kayak to the dingy and paddled us over to the reef where they were going to snorkel. They threw anchor and I went snorkelling too!!!!!! It was so unexpected... the reefs full with some amazing colourful fish!! We had to be careful though because of the long-tails! They were zigzagging with people to and from the beach from a ferry that arrived with a lot of tourists. It was great! Almost like Palau Payar except for the drop off. John and Jono did some fishing and caught a few snappers ... Fresh fish again! Now this is a marine park and one would think you could not fish here... but you can! Today school is back in session. John is reading a book while I am catching up on the log... no internet in these parts.... We have weather developing and TY Armor just let us know that they were hit by a Sumatra with 50 knots!!! It is the season, so we all keep alert at the change and developments of the clouds! We are anchored in Koh Lipe which is truly pretty with white beaches, lined with lots of refreshment bars, resorts and curio shops, all in traditional shack style. Too many dogs on one stretch of beach! They fight all the time and the sounds are really just too awful to hear all the time! Some of the dogs look like they have been pulled through the bush backwards with lots of scars, bite marks and rough looking though they are pretty nice looking dogs, all in good proportion. The shallow coral allows for a truly spectacular and magnificent snorkel! There are a few islands all cluttered around with experiences of their own. 8 mile rock has soft corals with alot of fish, cod and mantes. Also Whale and Leopard sharks!! Between Koh Adang and Koh Kawi there is excellent diving and snorkeling. Between the two islands where the mountains come down to the sea there are huge underwater boulders which is home to many fish and coral. Spectacular! On the easy side of Koh Rawi, the park has set up guide ropes along the reef for snorkelers to pull themselves along with. On the western end of Koh Lipe there is a sunken ship wreck about 40 meters below which is covered ion marine life! Though the only problem is the current!! It is really strong! Hin Talvern Dukong is located right in the middle of the marine park and it just about has every species of fish imaginable. Granite stones shaped like huge building blocks rise up from the seabed into a structure with a series of tall points. There is at least 6 types of eel and about several types of lion fish and stone fish!!! You will see quite alot of sailfish and predators hunting squid and cuttlefish, hiding among the large stones just like in Palau Payer!!!! OOOOooohhh!!!! Luckily we were able to sign out and head back to Langkawi. Yet unfortunately it was Friday where everything shuts down!! So no hospital yet.... We went to Telaga for the night then headed for Rebak Marina for about a month to finish off on our projects and maintenance!! Our solar panel regulator popped! The starboard water tank switched off.....and, and and!! hehe Jono kayaked over to Rebak while we followed slowly behind. I helmed at about 2 to three knots to give him a chance.... He did great! Kayaked through a pop of dolphins!!!! Wow!! Now we are moored safely in Rebak! It is raining, very dark, with more t-storms expected. So the minute we wake to a great dry day, we will catch the ferry to the mainland, and go for a checkup .... Everyone is lazing around just enjoying the rainy, cool day!! Dirkie and Megan we will be thinking of you on the 9th!!! Soooooo sorry we cannot be at your wedding!! But we will be in heart! Please send a note everyone in our guest book so we know you are all well!!

Love always till the next log, John, Jenny, Justine, Jessica and Jonathan