Our circumnavigation of Borneo is complete as we have reached our destination islands of the Riau Archipelago between Sumatra to the west and north Borneo to the east.

The Riau Island Group is part of the Riau Province administered by Sumatra and is just below the Singapore Straits, the crossroads of one of the world’s oldest and busiest maritime routes. This Archipelago was once home to sea gypsies living off its rich mangrove forests and waterways. Bintan, one of the largest islands in the group, provided refuge for the Sultan of Malacca when under attack by the Portuguese in the 16th century; from then on the island grew as the centre of the powerful Johor Riau Sultanate. However, it is Batam, the other large island and a free trade zone since 1989, which is now the commercial and business centre being much influenced by Singapore.

We are currently anchored at Tanjung Pinang the main town of Bintan Island. It is essential to go ashore here as we have just about exhausted our fresh food last stocked up in Belitung. We only have a carrot, an aubergine, an apple, a cucumber, some onions and 3 potatoes - that’s it. In the town there is a good wet fish market and a fruit & veg market. We are also hoping to get a small but essential part for our big outboard motor which is out of commission at the moment. Currently we are working with our wee 2 horsepower motor which is hopeless if there is a swell or busy traffic that generates much wake – we end up wet and salty. So it is shopping with fingers crossed once we hit the town.

It has been a long haul; we have covered over 1,200 miles since leaving Makassar back in Sulawesi, that’s half an Atlantic crossing. Our next port of call will be Nongsa Point Marina at Batam Island where we meet Hattie and Peter in 10 days’ time. Can’t wait to see them.