Kumai-Nangka-Lingga-Kentar-Nongsa-Singapore
Trip Start
Sep 25, 2006
1
3
Trip End
Oct 27, 2006
Singapore, Singapore
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Our first objective was to sail to Pulau Nangka a distance of 235nm, deciding to give Belitung a miss as we preferred to explore this small island. Naturally this was an overnight trip.
At nightfall I quickly started to fall into a routine which called for starting to have power naps at about midnight until 6am. Much depended upon how I felt and as it was only one overnight passage it wasn't too bad. I had a hand held VHF right next to me on the lounge and every 10-15mins Geoff, or whoever was on the CalypsoJJ watch, would radio me to ensure I was awake.
It is really weird how the body starts to adjust to short power naps as I began waking right on about 14mins and by the morning I was feeling nothing too badly in my body as a result of the revised sleeping pattern.
It was afternoon as we neared Nangka Island and on the charts there were considerable reefs around an anchorage we had picked out. I stayed out a fair way from shore, noting at the time that Geoff was moving closer in to shore. I actually radioed them and was in the middle of saying I thought they were a little close to the reefs when I saw their yacht come to a grinding halt. Jade came on the radio as Sarah had obviously gone to help Geoff. All I heard were the kids screaming so I calmed Jade down and eventually Sarah came back on to report there appeared to be no damage and no water ingress. Unfortunately though, coming to the halt when they hit the reef, the spinnaker turned into a wineglass (got wrapped around itself) and couldn't be lowered.
I suggested I would find the anchorage, anchor, and then go to assist in the dinghy as Geoff had said it was impossible to get down without going up the mast. In fact this is what we did and finally after some time, we managed to free the wineglass and lower it down. This anchorage was deep but good holding - depth was around 23mtrs.
The next day was one of relaxing and for Sarah and the kids, a day to get over the drama and Geoff to check for damage underneath (forunately only a small dent in the keel). We spent a fantastic afternoon on the beach and had sausages on a beach BBQ and a general muckaround with the kids. We had also during the day visited a tiny islet just north by dinghy, this offering great snorkelling.
From Nangka we sailed to Lingga Island for a night and then moved the following day to Kentar Island, on route crossing the Equator for the first time aboard Tactical Directions. I celebrated with opening a tiny bottle of champaigne from memory given to me by my mate Justin for the occasion.
Arriving in Kentar Island we found Silver Fern, Le Barca (Bronwyn, Adam and kids) and also Mr Bean (Malcolm and Lindy - Malcolm of course was tragically murdered in April 2009 in Thailand).It was here that we all got together for sundowners on Silver Fern. Bronny had organised and volunteered to have her hair completely cut in the aid of Leukemia Foundation and raised money from sponsorship which we all contributed to. Lindy also was generous with her hair and had her head completely shaved also! A costly sundowner for me but for a worthy cause.
From Kentar we left and sailed to Nongsa Point Marina, our first taste of civilisation for quiet a while.
The marina at Nongsa Point was very modern and welcoming and we stayed two nights eating at the restaurant and frequenting the bar.
We then departed the marina and gave notice to the Singapore Straits traffic control that we wanted to cross. This was essential not only for our own safety but those of the other boats. When the time was right the control tower would radio us and tell us when to go which provided us with a gap to get across.
Raffles marina in Singapore was fabulous - very welcoming and having excellent facilities such as a huge swimming pool and spa, ten pin bowling alley, pubs and restaurants and all the normal chanderly etc. The spa was particularly well used for the cold Tiger consumption in relaxed surroundings and at night for the occasional nightcap.
All in all I spent 3 weeks in Singapore trying to get work done on the boat but here found the only drawback with the place - their tradesmen were never on time and thats only when they turned up at all.
One of the highlights of my visit was a trip to Sendosa Island with Sarah and the kids while Geoff took off for Oz for work. We had a great day which started with a cable car ride across the waterway to the island. A memorable experience and a great day with Sarah, Jade, Java and Kitale.
The other worthwhile tour was to see the night zoo - I can highly recommend this if Singapore is on your travels. Apart from the zoo, frequent visits into the city yeilded new glasses for me, dental work completed, miscellaneous shopping for the boat.
All in all I enjoyed my time in Singapore but it was soon time to leave as I was participating in the Raja Muda regatta and had to get to Port Klang. Sailing was done with GWTW as they were also doing the regatta.
