From the rubbish of Klang to the peace of Pangkor N04 12 620 E100 32 997

Gryphon II
Chris and Lorraine Marchant
Tue 15 Nov 2011 09:01
We left Klang trying to dodge any threatening rubbish like plastic bags, polypropylene rope bits and pieces, logs, wire, net and so on that might put us out of business. At the yacht club we had discovered that this battalion of rubbish never really gets out to sea before the tide changes and it is mostly washed back in again. Depressing perhaps for the town but good for turtles and other creatures that it just has to be caught and bagged, not sure what happens to it next though.

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.

 

Port Dickson to Pangkor 089

 

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.

 

Port Dickson to Pangkor 093

 

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!