We’re on the move toward Pangkor 30 miles north. Last night we anchored in the Bernam River with its strong fast tides and numerous fishing boats moored off a few large villages on the banks. Below is a snapshot of our chart for today, Bernam is the most southerly river and we were anchored about 5 miles in from the estuary. We’ve anchored here before, it looks ideal and is quite sheltered but the water rush of the ripping tide can be quite loud and it did wake the skipper last night. We left early to catch the tide on the ebb and have had nearly four knots carrying us out into the Strait, the ebb is continuing north so we should have another 2 hours with us as we head for Pangkor. Such a treat, it will cut our journey time down considerably.

 

On the chart Gryphon II is the red circle leaving the estuary, the blue line shows our course and waypoints plotted through the shallower waters along the coast. There were dozens of fishing boats and birds dominating the estuary this morning. Pulau Pangkor is the large island between Pulau Pangkor Laut and the river going up to Tanjung Hantu. Near our final waypoint between Pulau Pangkor and the mainland an artificial island has been built over sand shoals, not shown on this chart. Malaysia is constantly reclaiming land from the sea and this artificial island is our destination – Pangkor Marina Island.

 

 

This Marina has haul out facilities and a good boat yard. It will be our home for a few months as Gryphon II needs lots of work, we know the staff there and are confident of their support. The boat is ten years old this year and our insurers require her to be re-rigged; the rigging pack is en route from France together with a new set of guard wires which we feel she needs. That will take some time and we may have to take the mast down but not sure yet. Hauling out is essential as the hull was last antifouled in October 2012, it has done well in this climate but the barnacles keep trying to get a hold as well as the weed. The top sides need a professional polish, various scrapes where local boats have come along side need taking out and some gel coat cracks need sorting. As well as all this we shall be flying off to China again in late March to visit Peter, it is a relatively easy journey from here and as we think we shall be leaving S.E. Asia this year we need to take advantage.

 

So a busy time ahead, thankfully it is a bit cooler now we are in the N.E. monsoon season and there seems to be less humidity. Its 28˚ this morning and Chris says he feels chilly so perhaps all the work will warm things up.