01:25.06N 103:39.48E

We left Kepalajerih at 0600 after a very peaceful night and set off north to cross the East bound lanes of the Singapore Straits Traffic System.  (There are two lanes each way, east and west, the outer lane being the deep water channel for vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre).  As we approached the area we could see a row of 4 ships ahead of us travelling from left to right.  We called up the Vessel Traffic Information System Central Control Room (VTS Singapore Central on VHF 14) to report our presence, give the details of our intended route and ask for authority to cross the shipping lanes.  We planned to cross the east bound lane and enter the NIPA Transit Zone where ships were anchored to unload.  From there we hoped to cross the zone diagonally to the Transit Zone A and enter the Crossing Zone before crossing the west bound lanes to enter the Johor Straits for Puteri Harbour (a total distance of 30 miles).  We were given the go ahead but asked to report to the West Sector on channel 73 and warned to proceed with caution.  West sector gave us the OK and we crossed between to large tankers without any problem, helped no end by 2 knots of tide directly behind us, pushing us along at over 6 knots.

The Transit Area was virtually empty so we sped straight across.  As we approached the crossing zone we noticed a big tug heading across our front from astern.  We had alert him to our presence as he clearly had not seen us or had nobody on the bridge.  After a brief exchange he altered course to pass behind us (which is what he should have done without any prompting from us).  Once in the crossing area we were alerted by Sector West to four container ships on route to the Johor anchorage and approaching from the east! Luckily it was clear of west bound traffic so we slowed to allow the four ships to pass ahead of us and we then shot across into the Johor Straits anchorage.

From here we were to head north up the Johor Straits between Malaysia and Singapore, under the Tuas Bridge connecting the two countries and in to Puteri Harbour marina on the Malaysian side.  With the end of the trip in sight nature saved the best to last and we ran in to the most dramatic thunderstorm we have seen for several years.  Torrential rain, wind on the nose, visibility reduced to 100m, plus thunder and lightning and we were surrounded by literally a hundred huge ships at anchor.  Weaving through the ships we managed to emerge the other side and as the storm cleared we passed under the central arch of the Tuas Bridge.  We approached the entrance to the marina and we could see some small figures on the shoreline waving frantically, who else but Carol, Will, Annie, Josh, Dan and Isla who had driven over from Singapore.  A very wonderful and extremely moving sight.  So we turned towards the shore and entered the creek leading to the marina at 1230. They were all there to meet us on the dock with huge hugs and champagne. 

Another journey completed and a huge milestone passed.  4,583 miles since leaving Bundaberg five months ago. 3,198 miles since departing from Australia in July. Thank you Tashi Delek, once again, for taking such great care of us.