Straits Quay, Penang
Wildfox
Anthony Swanston
Wed 24 Aug 2016 09:13
After a
night of gale force winds in my anchorage in the south of Langkawi which saw me
on the foredeck at midnight veering chain I sailed to Penang in heavy rain and
25 knots of wind slaloming through the fish traps. Not easy in poor visibility. (Note to ship’s log
: get a lookout girlie to put on the foredeck).
The contrast
between Langkawi and Penang could not be greater. Penang is modern, developed and wealthy. Langkawi is not. Prices here are between three and five times
greater. But you can buy things. Like many
different selections of smoked salmon and Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne. Langkawi is limited to supplying local stuff
to local people. Oh, and duty free beer to the likes of me.
The marina
has a terrible scend (surge) and if the boat is not properly tied up damage
will be done. After a couple of days I
get it pretty much right. I hope. Like Lankawi this island is quite flat so Mr.
Brompton is getting lots of use around shops and the Botanical Gardens. Just outside the marina entrance they are
building another island of more than 700 acres.
It is a long term project and 10 years before they get any money
back. But it will be more luxury houses
and apartments like the ones all around me.
