Together with all the Kinabatanga River Wildlife,
we wish you a Very Happy New Year.
we wish you a Very Happy New Year.
Marijke & jaap and the Gang.
Salute
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
That was Xmas on the River
Well what's new and old here in Sukau?
Alishan got company just the day before Xmas.
sy Barnacle C with John and Jane ( from the UK) and
sy Tonic with Doug and Margret (from NZ).
The crew of the 3 yachts had a great Xmas potluck dinner. And of course there were the Kinabatanga river prawns;-))
We also did a couple of river cruisers together with Ahmed our River Guide. Esp the early morning one was super.
Orang Utans, gibbons, birds of prey, hornbill, pita, shama, monitor lizard, owls, crocodiles, kingfishers,... just to mention a few.
Pictures will follow. ( yes Marijke is battling with the HP update...)
Since this morning we are by ourselves again but no dull moment as heavy rainfall way inland produces heaps of logs and stick in the river to keep us alert.
Looks like we will stay here the rest of the year and then head downstream again.
Alishan got company just the day before Xmas.
sy Barnacle C with John and Jane ( from the UK) and
sy Tonic with Doug and Margret (from NZ).
The crew of the 3 yachts had a great Xmas potluck dinner. And of course there were the Kinabatanga river prawns;-))
We also did a couple of river cruisers together with Ahmed our River Guide. Esp the early morning one was super.
Orang Utans, gibbons, birds of prey, hornbill, pita, shama, monitor lizard, owls, crocodiles, kingfishers,... just to mention a few.
Pictures will follow. ( yes Marijke is battling with the HP update...)
Since this morning we are by ourselves again but no dull moment as heavy rainfall way inland produces heaps of logs and stick in the river to keep us alert.
Looks like we will stay here the rest of the year and then head downstream again.
Salute
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Getting ready for Xmas
| Alishan hasn't moved since last blog. But we have! Especially Marijke as she made a Visa Run (for both of us!!). Our visitor's visa here in Malaysia is okay for 90 days. After that the easiest way is to jump the border, make a 180 degree turn and come back in. An other 90 days okay. Remember we have done so before (to Singapore, Thailand, Brunei). From here, in the Northern tip of Borneo...it's not so easy & cheap to do such a visa run. Now, we found out that we could BUY and extra 60 days visa. JUST at the Immigration Office in Sandakan for RM50/month/head. Good Deal. And for sure it beats bumpy busses, noisy ferries, expensive airfares and long lines at passport control. So last Wednesday Marijke got a ride into Big City Sandakan , spent some quality (waiting) time at the I.O. And got the stamps! Then off she went to a couple of supermarkets and came home to Sukau loaded with food. Meanwhile the Cats and I did an Oil & Filter Job for the Yanmar. When can we have some time to read a book? The other days? Well, like previous update. Mostly Nikoning for wildlife. Marijke got some great shots. Oh yes and a few days we had neighbors, sy PEWTER with Leo and Anne from NZ. Great to talk "cruising" again. The rainy season is indeed on top of us. Still not much water in the tanks, but sunshine is far and little. What will this year's Xmas song be? Salute |
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Our Daily River Things
Alishan is still enjoying the Kinabatanga River. The anchor has been here in the river mud now for over 2 weeks.
So you might think: What do you guys do all day?
Well, of course there is the daily (sometimes 2x) dinghy trip to go Wildlife hunting with the Nikon....
Usually using our own "wheels". But a few times we have used Ahmad Arsih.
He operates a small tour-bizz with his own boat. He can spot wildlife we would never ever spot ourselves.
Give him a call if you like to go on a tour: 019-8732925 We can highly recommend him.
Then there are the odd maintenance projects on board of Alishan, like varnishing (done), waxing (almost done) and oil jobs ( still have to be done) etc.
And as you can figure it out, it is hot here! So we produce heaps body fluids... and to laundry all those sweat soaked clothes is a daily job. The river is muddy colored, but it's fresh water and smells clean. Mind you, white clothes are a No-No....:
Then we try keep healthy and eat very local food, like here a decent meal of fresh water prawns ( 4 Euro/kg):
And of course sometime in the middle of the day when it's too hot to do anything else:
So you might think: What do you guys do all day?
Well, of course there is the daily (sometimes 2x) dinghy trip to go Wildlife hunting with the Nikon....
Usually using our own "wheels". But a few times we have used Ahmad Arsih.
He operates a small tour-bizz with his own boat. He can spot wildlife we would never ever spot ourselves.
Give him a call if you like to go on a tour: 019-8732925 We can highly recommend him.
Then there are the odd maintenance projects on board of Alishan, like varnishing (done), waxing (almost done) and oil jobs ( still have to be done) etc.
And as you can figure it out, it is hot here! So we produce heaps body fluids... and to laundry all those sweat soaked clothes is a daily job. The river is muddy colored, but it's fresh water and smells clean. Mind you, white clothes are a No-No....:
Then we try keep healthy and eat very local food, like here a decent meal of fresh water prawns ( 4 Euro/kg):
And of course sometime in the middle of the day when it's too hot to do anything else:
Salute
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
No rain, No shine...oh wait...
Yep, Alishan is still at anchor near Suaku village.
Daily activities?
Yes, dinghy trips to spot wildlife here on the banks of the Kinabatanga River. We also did a night trip and saw amazing owls, active snakes, sleeping kingfishers, hornbills etcetc. And yes there is also plenty of it IN the river: how about 3 meter crocs..brbrbr.
Some weather talk:The last few days were
No Rain (not good for our almost empty water tanks)
No Shine ( not good for a decent solar panel output)
At least the temperature was sort of okay, even went for a few small hike into the jungle...How many leeches you want to know?
Daily activities?
Yes, dinghy trips to spot wildlife here on the banks of the Kinabatanga River. We also did a night trip and saw amazing owls, active snakes, sleeping kingfishers, hornbills etcetc. And yes there is also plenty of it IN the river: how about 3 meter crocs..brbrbr.
Some weather talk:The last few days were
No Rain (not good for our almost empty water tanks)
No Shine ( not good for a decent solar panel output)
At least the temperature was sort of okay, even went for a few small hike into the jungle...How many leeches you want to know?
Yesterday was the "Every Sunday Once a Month" market. So we are loaded again with fresh veggies.
Hmm, but that beautiful DURIAN didn't last the day. Indeed The King of Fruits. Anytime you can wake me up for some durian.
When i write this, rain is pouring down, at last...so that is good news for showers & laundry.
Salute
Thursday, December 3, 2009
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