Monsoons and Kuah

Yesterday morning I woke to the sounds of a family of otters next to the boat. I rushed to get my camera but before I did they retreated to the rock wall under the marina to eat the fish they had caught. Hopefully I get another chance to photograph them up close.

The weather has turned extremely gusty with 40 knot squalls at times, a result of the start of monsoon season. Apparently it's not unusual for this weather to last 3 or 4 days and will probably repeat another 7 or 8 times before the end of the monsoon season. The harbour is fairly sheltered at Rebak but the swell made

for dangerous conditions for the ferry operating between here and Langkawi so the staff were unable to return home at change of shift and had to spend the night on the island.

We spent a few hours yesterday examining the electrics and mechanicals, adding some additional insulation in the battery banks and engine bay and going through the bulkheads, lockers and rigging as well as assembling dads compound bow and SCUBA gear which we are testing this morning. There also appears to be an issue

with the wind generators as the blades are delaminating and a worn bearing noise present in the starboard generator. I have contact the manufacturer in Arizona and it looks to be covered by manufacturers warranty. Just need to arrange shipping to Rebak.

Part II

Today after trying out the new SCUBA gear, which worked great, we caught the ferry over to Kuah town on Langkawi to pick up some additional lead weights for the BCD vest and to do some shopping. The run across open water was still relatively choppy but no real problem during daylight, particularly with 2x 250hp

outboards to outrun the swell.

We hired a car from Mr Tin, well known for his mismatched fleet of old (but fit for purpose) vehicles, where the formalities involve a 10 second phone call, "I need a car at the ferry terminal at 9:30 - thanks, bye", picked up an beaten up 660cc car with one working front brake, a bald front tyre but with working aircon, for 40 RM the whole day. The car comes with an empty tank and the idea is that Mr Tin hopes you return it with more fuel than it had to begin with. Once finished you park the car where you picked it up with the key under the floor mat. No paperwork, no licence check, no insurance. no worries!

After a visit to Langkawi yacht club and a couple of drinks, we visited a couple of shopping centres for the obligatory purchase of pirated DVDs and souvenirs as well as groceries and some locally rolled cherry cigars. Another highlight of the day was getting the car stuck in 50cm deep concrete drain at the side of the road and having to lift it out. Apparently that happens a lot here.

Langkawi Marina

Langkawi

Traffic lights with countdown timer... great idea.