5:15'.30s 100:16'.65e

Wednesday 27th October 2010 Towards Penang

0710 Left the anchorage in torrential rain, thank goodness the wind had dropped we had 18 knts. On the nose last night in the anchorage but it was quite comfortable, just as we were going to bed we had another fishing boat laying his nets very close by, so switched on our deck lights to make sure he could see us! 

Followed by a large flock of little terns following the boat catching sprats.  The sprats must be in a school following in our wake.  The little terns were so close that one could almost reach out one's hand and touch them, they were wonderful entertainment watching them swooping and diving and chirping to each other.

Rain did not stop until around 1300hrs but no complaints, we now have a clean boat, a flat calm and a fair tide we were regularly doing 8+ knots over the ground and sometimes hitting 9!

1445hrs Anchored between the southern tip of Penang and small islet called Rimau.  Very comfortable.

Rimau Island South of Pinang Island

1700 hours approached by a fisherman who asked us if we would move because we were where he wanted to lay his net. So moved closer to the small islet and settled down for the evening. 

Close up of Rimau island anchorage spot

Fisherman stood by till we moved out of his fishing spot!

Cooked filet steak au poivre garlic saute potatoes and french beens with a bottle of pinot noir.  Followed by a great cherry clafoutis a la Valerie.  Watched Anthony Hopkins Remains of the Day.

Suburbs of South Pinang Island, close to Airport

The remains of our day off Pinang Island

Position 5:15'.30s 100:16'.65e

Distance run 60.5 miles average speed 7.05 knots

Thursday 28th October 2010 towards Langkawi

0610 left in the dark to make sure we arrive at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club in plenty of time as we have invited a group of friends onboard for drinks at 1800 - I like making a rod for my own back.  Put the last of our bubbly from Australia in the fridge so that should be nice and cool should have enough to go around depends how thirsty everone is!  Still Langkawi is a duty free island and we will be stocking up for Phuket.

By the time we get to Langkawi we would have traveled 6,264.3 miles since starting this voyage from Sydney.  We have visited 66 different anchorages and spent a total of 21 nights at sea.oo

Weather is warm and sunny with a light wind from the N.E., looks like the transition period is through and we are finally into the dryer and cooler season of the Northern Hemisphere's Winter.