Pangkor Rally Stop

After several days relaxing anchored in the bay at the southwestern end of Pangkor Island it was time to move about 3 miles away to the Pangkor Island marina whom were hosting the next stop on the sail Malaysia rally. Due to strong currents in the marina we had been told to arrive at a slack tide. This made for a leisurely morning as 1:30 pm was high water. Rounding the end of the island we once again got to view the ever present fishing boat zooming about.

The approach to the marina was straight forward though as normal it seems here over rather shallow water, Marina staff met us in a small launch and guided us into a berth. This is another of a number of newly developed marinas along this coast of Malaysia. The docks are finished and have water and power but no real surrounding infrastructure, such as restrooms, showers, laundry or restaurants etc.. Not a problem as a rally stop we were entitled to 3 days of free dockage. Once we were secured we were told that there was an afternoon tour to a local shipyard and then a stop at the supermarket on the return to the marina. Kathy was quickly ready to go as when we had been anchored out she had only been able to buy a few fresh things. I decided to stay and put the boat away and start on some other necessary chores.


Off the group went and for a change from our experience in Indonesia in a modern air conditioned bus. Reports came back as the shipyard was OK but the supermarket definitely worthwhile. A buses luggage compartment can have many uses. Yes that's our stack with the "trader joe's" bag and slabs of Carlsberg beer.

Wednesday the 24 th was to be a rest day for rally events. Though since we were secure in the marina it was a perfect time to get things done. For Kathy the never ending job of laundry, done by hand in a 5 gallon bucket. For me it was time to do an oil change on the faithful Miss Perky.

Thursday was another tour this time across the channel to Pangkor island, I stayed aboard but kathy was off to see the sights. They visited an old Dutch fort, from the 1600's, a Chinese temple and enjoyed a big lunch.

Thanksgiving evening there was no turkey to be found but we enjoyed the final rally event in Pangkor, a big feed with everything from local noodle and curry dishes to pasta or peanut satay. Also included was all the beer we could drink. It was an enjoyable yachtie gathering.