2 knots of tide was with us which was great but we were motoring
for most of the day until we had a short sail into the Kuala Bernam River where
we anchored for the night.
A rare sight of the genoa on these windless days.
Our next rally destination, Pangkor Marina, is in a very shallow
bay and access is tide dependent so there was no rush to get there. At 07.45 we
hauled the anchor and started for the Marina but on seeing the attractive
islands en route we decided to anchor near the pretty turtle island. The little
bay we chose was fine until the tide changed and the rolling started. We upped
the hook and moved south then up the other side of the bigger island to a
sheltered bay, this was calm and interesting as we were opposite a colourful
fishing village on Teluk Baharu. We had a pleasant afternoon and as usual gazed
at the island through the binoculars which was when Chris saw the 'CABLE' sign.
Examining the electronic chart we found the cable traversed diagonally across
the bay to Pangkor island. It was the main electricity cable! Hook hauled up
again, rather carefully, and a three minute trip into bay 3. This was great, no
swell and a perfect backdrop of rocks and rainforest with fishermen in their
dinghies jigging their lines and a sea eagle landing it's catch on top of a post
and enjoying supper.
We left late at 10:00 the next morning and as we motored past we
noticed two French boats anchored over the cable in the bay that we had escaped
the day before! Picking our way across the shallows before high tide we went
warily down the marina entrance channel but happily never had less than 2.5
metres. We were directed to our berth looking forward to mains electricity, a
reliable water supply and someone to do the laundry. What
luxury!
