To Rebak Marina

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 3 Dec 2016 23:57
To Rebak Marina
 
 
 
IMG_8497
 
We awoke to this view surprised to find we had ended up in perfect formation behind two other yachts at a fair distance and like them a big distance  (the funniest one we have ever done was me refusing to go in further then seven metres of water below, at the seaward edge of the huge bay in St Lucia, on awakening we found ourselves about a mile and a half from the beach............). We have indeed anchored after dark just a handful of times and only in massive bays that are well charted.
 
 
IMG_8500
 
Bear launched Baby Beez and at ten o’clock we headed in between the two man-made island breakwaters, passed through the inner anchorage and turned left after the lighthouse.
 
 
IMG_8501
 
What a surprise – a load of local fisherman parked on the left and the colonial building of the Harbour Master shared with the marina office, Customs and Immigration and a ferry terminal.
 
 
IMG_8502
 
A sizeable marina with a few boats we recognised. Signed in to the Marina Office we found that the Harbour Master was on a day off and C+I were at the airport......Mmmm. Fortunately we met Philipp who wanted to log in and out, he knew the procedures very well as he sails often from Phuket and suggested we share a taxi to the main town of Kuah – oh where we should have been had the wind been that way....... Off we went at half past ten for the forty minute journey chatting away like old friends. (the reason for check in is because Langkawi is duty free).
 
 
IMG_8505  IMG_8504
 
IMG_8503
 
Our trusty taxi driver, Rahman dropped us by Kenny Rogers (of the roast chicken variety as we came to love in Puteri) and we trotted behind Philipp to the Harbour Masters Office. One form completed and off to Customs who took one of our Puteri forms, then to Immigration who took the other. A first for the skipper to have no bits of paper in his hands to take back to Beez, he looked quite mystified. We stopped to admire the pretty little bridge and huge eagle.
 
 
IMG_8506
 
Kuah anchorage to our left. We were pleased the wind pushed us the way it did as our anchorage was a huge bay, this one was up a wiggly track between islands best done in daylight wethinks as opposed to methinks......
 
 
IMG_8507
 
We bimbled along behind Philipp who retraced our steps through a mall and back to Rahman outside Kenny’s.
 
 
IMG_8509  IMG_8511
 
On the road we passed a big mosque and Philipp asked if we “minded stopping at his favourite place to shop, similar to a cash and carry”. Lead on was the firm and easy reply, the words duty free had conjured up images and curiosity. So Rahman pulled into a space in front of PL Soon Huat SDN. BHD.
 
 
IMG_8510
 
Well colour both of us happy, Aladdin’s Cave............a two kilo block of Anchor cheddar just a little more expensive than a one kilo block bought in Cairns and just about everything from pans to flip flops. This shop is the go-to for all the hotels in the vicinity. Philipp led us to the back right hand corner and through a set of hanging plastic curtains. There we were met by Mohan who took us through a posh teak door to the ‘booze room’. The rules changed last month to each person being allowed to buy a maximum of five litres of spirit or wine, three slabs of beer and three cartons of cigarettes. No sooner than I saw a litre of Stoli for four pounds and fifty four pence than I was at my ration. Bear looked gleeful as he found his favourite Teachers at a similar price. Ten bottles chosen, Bear had to present our Passports at the till where a Customs man settled nearby logged our details, that’s it for the month of December.
 
 
IMG_8499  IMG_8512
 
Rahman dropped us back to whence we had began – three hours of his time, eighty minutes of driving and he asked for RM120 or each man handed over ten pounds and ten pence – our toothless friends was delighted with his mornings work, made sure Bear took his phone number and off he went. We bade a fond ‘farewell’ to Philipp with a “you must come to see me in Phuket”, we loaded Baby Beez with our booty and returned to Beez in her ‘crowded area’........... Poor Bear had to restow Baby Beez and by twenty to three we were off hoping that the falling cloud wouldn’t produce the wet stuff until we had completed our five mile journey.
 
 
IMG_8526
 
Today we managed a very straight line but we did have a really good laugh as we recalled our conversation about red flashing sticks and the reason for our wiggly track last night.
 
 
IMG_8525
 
From the northern side of Rebak Island we saw no hint of a marina.
 
 
IMG_8517
 
Splendid isolation. The marina is nestled where once was a mangrove swamp. Beez Neez has safely brought us 5872.2 nautical miles at eighty two different stops bringing our total on our At-Venture to 31,773.21 nautical miles, she like us need a break. Thank You Girlie.
 
 
IMG_8528
 
We rounded the corner and believe it or not found the entrance (beyond the wall). It is quite important to radio in from here on channel 69 as little ferries and other users come whizzing out of the narrow dog-leg entrance. That done we were invited in to A31 where a chap would be waiting for us. Above us a welcoming fly-by from several osprey and a constant laughing from what sounded like many hornbills.
 
 
IMG_8530
 
By four o’clock Beez was happily settled for the next thirty one days. We went off in search of the office. I spotted a golf cart dropping a couple off and beat a quick hop to ask the driver if he could take us to the marina office to check in. “Hop on” the happy chap said.
 
 
IMG_8531  IMG_8532
 
A very tired Bear came loping. Dealt with efficiently and armed with location maps, courtesy ferry times, shop hours, 25% discount at the resort, 50% off ‘Happy Hour’ and a spreadsheet of retailers etc, we went for a little exploration of our new surroundings, all the while the rain that had held off still threatening. Not before we had a shandy and a little ring doughnut.........
 
 
IMG_8534
 
Looking right toward the office, and beyond to the blue travel lift standing quietly in the haul out yard.
 
 
IMG_8535
 
Looking left, Beez is on the marina side of ‘A’ dock, near to the ‘gap in the hills’ at the back of the picture. We should get fit with all the walking we can imagine ourselves doing. To the left of us as we stood, we could see the sea a five minute walk away via a path, bridge and passing a couple of holiday lodges. Our resolve to go straight home for a cup of tea was overruled by the need to go and have a quick look.
 
 
 
 
IMG_8536
 
One of the lodges we passed.
 
 
IMG_8540  IMG_8539
 
The beach looking left and right.
 
 
IMG_8538  IMG_8537
 
Bear test drives a lounger as we take in the pool. This will be our first ever experience of a swim-up bar, looking forward to that. For now it’s home for supper, a game or two and an early night.  
 
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL A SURPRISINGLY PRODUCTIVE DAY
                     IT’S GOING TO BE REALLY NICE TO HAVE A HOLIDAY