Ehh, Solar Run?

Since last report a few things did happen. After a leisurely week in Labuan, Alishan sailed back to Brunei. And from there back to Labuan again. Was this going back and forth just because of a visa run? Booze run? Cheap fuel run? Wrong. We went back to buy some solar panels. Just before the start of Hari Raya we found out that there was a company in Brunei selling their stock of solar panels. ( during the HR week of parties the company was closed). The panels went for a price Too Good Not To Take. So yes, we now have 2 more 75 watt plates...still in the box as it takes time to install these beauties. In between here and there and yes, now back in Labuan, we had a few nasty short storms, all thanks to that typhoon that set Manilla awash. And yes, we sadly had to say good bye to sy Silent Wish; Ellen and Jits thanks a zillion for the good times we had buddy-boating with you. The weather forecast looks good for the next few days so Alishan will continue moving north: Kota Kinabalu is on the list, about 60 miles from here. Salute.

LABUAN, Malaysia

Alishan dropped anchor in Victoria Harbor, LABUAN 5 degree 16.5 N 115 degree 14.3 E A tiny bit of "rolly polly" due to a small swell. And heaps of "rock 'n rolling" due to the fact that we choose a spot in the middle of 3 mosques...right at the end of Ramadan. Oops, that was NO sunday morning sleep-in for us. We went ashore this morning to check-in, but of course the offices were closed. Hmm, tomorrow is an other day. The trip across from Brunei was uneventful, mind you our navigation computer decided to have a lay-day, so we had to do it the old fashioned way. Okayokay, it was easy as always as sy Silent Wish was heading the same direction ;-)). By now we know their transom! Salute

Water Village BSB

We took a boat ride to, around an in the watervillage at BSB, the capital of Brunei.

Hmm, heaps of gold on 1 side of the river, back to basic on the other.

But for sure a lot of happy people here in Brunei. We are pleased to have made a stop.

It looks like Alishan will Move Again, this time to Labuan, duty free happy port of Malaysia.

Salute

RBYC

Alishan is at anchor in front of the Royal Brunei Yacht Club. A veryvery cruiser friendly yacht club. TOP indeed. 5 degree 00 N 115 degree 04 E We can use the club facilities for free ( clubhouse, Internet, swimming pool, showers, washing machine, just THE things a cruiser needs now and then) and they are all keen to help us with whatever. Last Sunday together with Ellen and Jits from sy Silent Wish we took the bus into town. It all looks a bit like a Baby Singapore. Well maintained, clean and many signs. Found a good shopping center and scored some bits and pieces for boat and crew. Probably 1 more trip to town is on the list to play the tourist (on Sunday many things were closed) and then around the weekend make a move for Labuan, a Malaysian island about 30 miles from here. Salute

Brunei Ahoy

Alishan is in Brunei.
4 degree 57N
114 degree 49E
Hmm, this harbor..So big, clean and comfy! They should built them every 30 miles along the coast. See Google Earth.
BUT we can't go ashore! As this harbor is Royal and the grounds are off limit.
Mind you we still have to check-in as well..That's what we will do that after our next trip today, about 30 miles to go to the main port of Brunei.
Delayed?
Indeed that last weather picture turned out to be a little worse than Not-Too-Bad. It gave us a lot of wind, big seas. heaps of rain and worse of all: A Fat Cold. So we stayed put in Miri Marina and slowed down for a few days. Unfortunately the sand flies weren't effected by he weather and made "live" more scratchy.
All in all we had a very good time in Miri with old and new friends. Marijke with birding buddy Steve and Yap with the HHH group. And of course Nori and Wakame enjoyed their pontoon runs;-))
Now we are looking forward what Brunei will bring us.

Salute.

Weather Picture

Just to show you what the weatherpicture is here at the moment... Doesn't look too bad.....mind you, right now at 8 am it is pitch dark due to heavyheavy rain! Poor Marijke was to go on an other birding trip...
Alishan will do the check-out thingies today and make a move to Brunei later this week.