There are three sorts of people; those who are alive, those who are dead, and those who are at sea. - Old Capstan Charley attributed to Anacharsis, 6th Century BC
On the 1st February, we cleared back into Malaysia at Langkawi in time for bad news and good news from Australia. Daughter was having difficulties again (bad news) and I was offered a great teaching contract at Charles Darwin University when I got there (good news). Okay, time to wend (sail) our way home slowly. Life can never be a rush.
Have you ever noticed, that like in your home town, you always see more when taking someone else around? We did that with Catherine; off to see sights we hadn't considered the times before. The Langkawi SkyCab is an amazing experience (especially if, like me, heights can be an issue). With a total length of 2.2km, it takes 15 minutes to get to the top. The gradient between the Base and Middle Stations is said to be the steepest in the world at 42 degrees. Trust me, this is seriously steep!
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| Fabulous evening markets |
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| Everything within these walls |
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| View from SkyCab |
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| Middle Station and decision time: up or down |
With the shopping necessities, like alcohol, stowed (Langkawi is a duty free port after all) we were heading south again. We were returning to Tanjung City Marina in Penang to drop off Catherine, put out a call for another crew adventurer and enjoy Chinese New Year. The city of Penang has modern skyscrapers interspersed with ancient traditions and unique architecture. The stunning juxtaposition of historical and religious saw it made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Another first in this city; we also celebrated the 50th Merdeka!
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| Time out for the Dragoneers |
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| The Dragon heads are a work of art |
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| Blazing colour everywhere |
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| It is all about Dragons |
Johnny Mahoney (remember the band guy in Indonesia) with his wife Shelley were also in the Marina and Keith lent him our hooker dive system. Tragically, Shelley died in 2014 after being hit by the boom.
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| Johnny, Shelley and Keith |
We also helped out a Turkish catamaran who gave us a Turkish Eye to say thank you. It remains in the cockpit as a good luck charm. Little did we know this would be the last time we would enter this majestic marina. After continual battering from the adjacent ferries, it was finally demolished in 2011.
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| Our last view of Tanjung City Marina with the Turkish Cat |
With the festivities over, Andrew, our new crew, arrived. He had travelled from London to Malaysia overland and wished to return to Australia to complete his London-Sydney trip without flying. With Andrew aboard it was a leisurely meander down the Malacca Straits again. We did call in to the hospital at Pangkor Island; a throat infection for Andrew which was easily remedied with antibiotics. Finally, we cleared from Malaysia at Admiral Marina.
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| Last port in Malaysia: Admiral Marina |
Next stop -Singapore.
May all your bars be wooden and well - stocked!
