Another glorious morning in Langkawi! It is nice and cool with light breeze and sunshine. Yesterday, we all went and rode the cable car to the top of the mountain. The scenery was breath taking, and from the top, we could easily see about a hundred islands. Every thing seems to be priced very low here, and ringets go pretty far.
We rented a car for 80 ringets for the day and drove around the island. We went to the yacht club by car and stayed anchored in a much prettier area. There was no paperwork for the car. They did not even know my name. I just gave her money, and she gave me the key. It was about 22 dollars US. The car was a year or two old Peugot 4door that was pretty peppy. Funny to drive on the right side and shift left handed.
We took four big bags of laundry in, and stocked the boat with a couple of cases of rum and vodka, as well as beer and soft drinks, as it is all inexpensive here. A quart of Bacardi rum is only 10USD. Mark and I installed the new LED running lights up front and pulled new wire for them. They look much sleeker than the old clunky ones that I could not keep working. Today I have to finish tying and securing the wires in the anchor locker, and another project will be completed.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Jeff's Log ~ Thursday, March 27, 2008 6 21.745N 99 40.905E Telega Harbour, Langkawi
We arrived in Langkawi yesterday afternoon while it was raining. The rain stopped as we were anchoring in a scenic little anchorage. The dink went back in the water, and it is a short trip in to the marina where we were checked in with customs and immigration. I was completely surprised that none of the officials here wanted any money. We got gas for the dink, and stocked up on reasonably priced snacks at the gas station convenience store after changing our remaining Thai baht into ringets. Mark and I took a walk completely around the marina and had lunch at one of the many restaurants which line the waterfront.
It is nice having full gas tanks for the dink and on the way back to the boat; I opened the throttle and let it run. The last couple of days, we had been in fuel conservation mode with the dink, and that is rather boring. Lots of sailors have little tiny fuel stingy outboards that go very slow, and now I know what that’s like. Give me POWER!!!!
Langkawi is a pretty place. As we were approaching the island, a large thunderstorm developed and covered the island. The peaks rise to over three thousand feet, and there is a cable car that I can hardly wait to ride to the top of the highest peak. Today, after taking the big boat in for fuel, we are going to go to the cable car. Then we are going around the corner to the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club for the night.
It is nice having full gas tanks for the dink and on the way back to the boat; I opened the throttle and let it run. The last couple of days, we had been in fuel conservation mode with the dink, and that is rather boring. Lots of sailors have little tiny fuel stingy outboards that go very slow, and now I know what that’s like. Give me POWER!!!!
Langkawi is a pretty place. As we were approaching the island, a large thunderstorm developed and covered the island. The peaks rise to over three thousand feet, and there is a cable car that I can hardly wait to ride to the top of the highest peak. Today, after taking the big boat in for fuel, we are going to go to the cable car. Then we are going around the corner to the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club for the night.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Captain Scott's Log ~ March 24th, 2008
120,875nm under the keel.
The day after Easter we moved 45 miles south to a group of large islands. Back in 99 we found a back packer’s site that was seedy. This time we found a marine park with a dozen or more long tails bringing tourists to its beach and coral reef. I tied off a dive bouy and we had a pleasant night.
Tuesday we explored these islands and found where all these tourist came from. Ko Mipit sported dozens of resorts mostly with German guests. 3 or 4 ferries arrived each day and off loaded their cargo onto long tails that took them to the beach. There were 10 beach bars and so the crew of Pipe Dream fit right in. The resorts covered the entire range of habitation possibilities. You could rent a hammock, a tent, a room that looked like a prison cell, a room with a fan, room with ocean view, and so on.
This is right on the Thai Malaysian boarder and only 25 nm from Langkawi. It is also the beginning of the Malacca Strait. We are now at 6 degrees of latitude and moving south so the gen set and AC see a lot of use.
The day after Easter we moved 45 miles south to a group of large islands. Back in 99 we found a back packer’s site that was seedy. This time we found a marine park with a dozen or more long tails bringing tourists to its beach and coral reef. I tied off a dive bouy and we had a pleasant night.
Tuesday we explored these islands and found where all these tourist came from. Ko Mipit sported dozens of resorts mostly with German guests. 3 or 4 ferries arrived each day and off loaded their cargo onto long tails that took them to the beach. There were 10 beach bars and so the crew of Pipe Dream fit right in. The resorts covered the entire range of habitation possibilities. You could rent a hammock, a tent, a room that looked like a prison cell, a room with a fan, room with ocean view, and so on.
This is right on the Thai Malaysian boarder and only 25 nm from Langkawi. It is also the beginning of the Malacca Strait. We are now at 6 degrees of latitude and moving south so the gen set and AC see a lot of use.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Jeffs Log ~ Monday, March 25th 2008
6 33.42N 99 15.548E Ko Rawi, Thailand
We had a great sail today. It was the first time since the King’s Cup Regatta that Pipe Dream has sailed. It was a very nice day with the wind picking up to 10 to 13 knots. We sailed on a close reach for about 45 miles. An easy 7.5 knots, sometimes, if the effort was made by me, we hit almost 9 knots on 12knots of breeze. When we reached our destination for the day, Ko Rawi, we picked up a mooring ball, put up the awning, and put the dink in the water. Scott, Mark and I make a fine team, and the work was done in short order. This area is all national park, and the islands are heavily wooded with sloping landscapes instead of sheer cliffs. We went ashore to look around at the ranger station. There they have posters explaining about the area, and we learned that on the island next door there is a waterfall and a trail to hike up to the top of the mountain. Scott decided that we will hang around here for a day or two to take in some more of the sights. When Mark and I returned to the boat, Scott had it all cooled down with the air conditioning. It was a perfect time for a siesta.
After waking from a refreshing nap, I did a little more straightening up and cleaning, and then joined Mark out in the cockpit for a cold beer. We could not find tiger beer in cans, so we have Singa beer on the boat. The refrigerator is working well, and the beer was ice cold. Mark decided to go for a swim with a heavy current blasting through the channel, so I kept my eye on him. Scott got us new Fujinon stabilized binoculars, and keeping an eye on Mark taught me how to use them in short order.
This trip has been very different from the previous journey. Scott is very relaxed and we are traveling slowly and enjoying the stops and scenery. There is no gourmet chef on board, so we are eating “man food”. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are not uncommon. Mark is a pretty good boat cook, so I just keep my mouth shut and enjoy. He and I work well together and we have been attacking the generator fuel lines together as air in the fuel has become the main issue on the boat. Someone before used Teflon tape to seal all of the fittings, and that is a big no-no with diesel fuel. As we fix fittings, we are also replacing the rubber lines that join the tanks
We had a great sail today. It was the first time since the King’s Cup Regatta that Pipe Dream has sailed. It was a very nice day with the wind picking up to 10 to 13 knots. We sailed on a close reach for about 45 miles. An easy 7.5 knots, sometimes, if the effort was made by me, we hit almost 9 knots on 12knots of breeze. When we reached our destination for the day, Ko Rawi, we picked up a mooring ball, put up the awning, and put the dink in the water. Scott, Mark and I make a fine team, and the work was done in short order. This area is all national park, and the islands are heavily wooded with sloping landscapes instead of sheer cliffs. We went ashore to look around at the ranger station. There they have posters explaining about the area, and we learned that on the island next door there is a waterfall and a trail to hike up to the top of the mountain. Scott decided that we will hang around here for a day or two to take in some more of the sights. When Mark and I returned to the boat, Scott had it all cooled down with the air conditioning. It was a perfect time for a siesta.
After waking from a refreshing nap, I did a little more straightening up and cleaning, and then joined Mark out in the cockpit for a cold beer. We could not find tiger beer in cans, so we have Singa beer on the boat. The refrigerator is working well, and the beer was ice cold. Mark decided to go for a swim with a heavy current blasting through the channel, so I kept my eye on him. Scott got us new Fujinon stabilized binoculars, and keeping an eye on Mark taught me how to use them in short order.
This trip has been very different from the previous journey. Scott is very relaxed and we are traveling slowly and enjoying the stops and scenery. There is no gourmet chef on board, so we are eating “man food”. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are not uncommon. Mark is a pretty good boat cook, so I just keep my mouth shut and enjoy. He and I work well together and we have been attacking the generator fuel lines together as air in the fuel has become the main issue on the boat. Someone before used Teflon tape to seal all of the fittings, and that is a big no-no with diesel fuel. As we fix fittings, we are also replacing the rubber lines that join the tanks
Jeffs Log ~ Sunday, March 23, 2008
Phi Phi Island, Thailand
First of all, I would like to wish everyone a happy Easter. For me, this is a very sad day. My Father passed away yesterday, and I am feeling quite a loss. Dad was a good man who raised a big family and we all turned out to be pretty fine adults. I am glad that Clara and I got to see him before I left to go sailing around the world. I am not going to return at this time. I told Dad when I saw him last, that I would not return for a funeral. I discussed this with Clara last night, and was on the verge of returning anyway, but realized that I can do nothing to change any thing, so I will continue my journey until there is a happy reason to come home. At times like this, the longing to come home really gets strong. I have been gone eight months, and am really missing the personal contact with all of you.
Things aboard Pipe Dream are well. She is still being a boat though. While anchoring, the stripper on the windlass started jamming up. After setting the anchor, I took the windlass (that’s the electric winch that is used to raise and lower the anchor) apart to find that corrosion had eaten the metal of the base, allowing the stripper (that’s the part that forces the chain out of the pulley) to drop down too far. That caused a jamming situation. I cleaned everything up and sculpted a new platform out of Marine-tex,and filed it smooth after it hardened. Then I drilled the mounting hole and tapped new threads in the marine -tex. This morning when we raised the anchor, it worked fine. Now I will have to figure out part numbers and get our next guests to bring some windlass parts. I don’t think that the repair will last too long.
We are now motoring towards Ko Rok, an isolated island that is about 25 NM from Phi Phi Island. The wind is light and just off the nose, so the awning remains up, and we are yachting comfortably in the shade, with the boat creating a nice cool breeze. While at Phi Phi, I did manage to snorkel a very large reef which was right off of the boat’s transom. There was an abundance of reef life with many large sea urchins, and lots of colorful reef fish. I saw a moray eel which looked to be about 4 feet long, and for the first time in my life, a giant clam. That was really cool. The meat of the clam was a bright purple, and the water intake was about 10 inches long. The water exhaust port was a tube about three inches in diameter. The shell was about 30 inches in diameter, and it was sitting vertically right on top of a good sized coral head.
I also actually did some shopping too, and got the first t-shirts of my trip. Scott took us ashore and bought dinner. Food was slightly below average, but still beat cooking on the boat. I have taken over Tip’s cleaning duties, and today worked hard on the floors, as it had been a couple of days since they were done. They cleaned up well, and the next project is my cabin/workshop. Things in there are a bit jumbled up because I am always tearing something apart, so the closet contents are usually on my bunk. All of the spare parts and lots of tools and equipment are stored in there.
Today I dedicated to Dad, and it was an absolutely wonderful day. We left Phi Phi Don quite early and proceeded to our next destination which is Ko Rok. At about 11, Scott had us come to starboard about 15 degrees, and we stopped for lunch and snorkeling at a small group of Islands. In the center of them was a beautiful coral head that was teeming with life. There were starfish in abundance, but not the kind we have in America. These were bright blue and green in color, and I counted 15 arms on one of the bigger ones. There were black and white sea urchins, grouper, yellow tail snappers, and many other colorful reef fish. A couple of times when I dove down, I was completely surrounded by large schools of fish. It turned into a wonderful day with a nice motor sail to our final destination of the day, a walk on a great beach, and a beautiful sunset. It was a truly fine way to remember Dad, and a day that I will never forget.
First of all, I would like to wish everyone a happy Easter. For me, this is a very sad day. My Father passed away yesterday, and I am feeling quite a loss. Dad was a good man who raised a big family and we all turned out to be pretty fine adults. I am glad that Clara and I got to see him before I left to go sailing around the world. I am not going to return at this time. I told Dad when I saw him last, that I would not return for a funeral. I discussed this with Clara last night, and was on the verge of returning anyway, but realized that I can do nothing to change any thing, so I will continue my journey until there is a happy reason to come home. At times like this, the longing to come home really gets strong. I have been gone eight months, and am really missing the personal contact with all of you.
Things aboard Pipe Dream are well. She is still being a boat though. While anchoring, the stripper on the windlass started jamming up. After setting the anchor, I took the windlass (that’s the electric winch that is used to raise and lower the anchor) apart to find that corrosion had eaten the metal of the base, allowing the stripper (that’s the part that forces the chain out of the pulley) to drop down too far. That caused a jamming situation. I cleaned everything up and sculpted a new platform out of Marine-tex,and filed it smooth after it hardened. Then I drilled the mounting hole and tapped new threads in the marine -tex. This morning when we raised the anchor, it worked fine. Now I will have to figure out part numbers and get our next guests to bring some windlass parts. I don’t think that the repair will last too long.
We are now motoring towards Ko Rok, an isolated island that is about 25 NM from Phi Phi Island. The wind is light and just off the nose, so the awning remains up, and we are yachting comfortably in the shade, with the boat creating a nice cool breeze. While at Phi Phi, I did manage to snorkel a very large reef which was right off of the boat’s transom. There was an abundance of reef life with many large sea urchins, and lots of colorful reef fish. I saw a moray eel which looked to be about 4 feet long, and for the first time in my life, a giant clam. That was really cool. The meat of the clam was a bright purple, and the water intake was about 10 inches long. The water exhaust port was a tube about three inches in diameter. The shell was about 30 inches in diameter, and it was sitting vertically right on top of a good sized coral head.
I also actually did some shopping too, and got the first t-shirts of my trip. Scott took us ashore and bought dinner. Food was slightly below average, but still beat cooking on the boat. I have taken over Tip’s cleaning duties, and today worked hard on the floors, as it had been a couple of days since they were done. They cleaned up well, and the next project is my cabin/workshop. Things in there are a bit jumbled up because I am always tearing something apart, so the closet contents are usually on my bunk. All of the spare parts and lots of tools and equipment are stored in there.
Today I dedicated to Dad, and it was an absolutely wonderful day. We left Phi Phi Don quite early and proceeded to our next destination which is Ko Rok. At about 11, Scott had us come to starboard about 15 degrees, and we stopped for lunch and snorkeling at a small group of Islands. In the center of them was a beautiful coral head that was teeming with life. There were starfish in abundance, but not the kind we have in America. These were bright blue and green in color, and I counted 15 arms on one of the bigger ones. There were black and white sea urchins, grouper, yellow tail snappers, and many other colorful reef fish. A couple of times when I dove down, I was completely surrounded by large schools of fish. It turned into a wonderful day with a nice motor sail to our final destination of the day, a walk on a great beach, and a beautiful sunset. It was a truly fine way to remember Dad, and a day that I will never forget.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Please Keep Jeff and his family in your thoughts and prayers
I was informed on Saturday morning March 22nd, 2008 that Jeff's father Matt passed away Friday evening.
Please keep the Jeff and the entire Fredrich family in your thoughts and prayers.
Captain Scott's Log ~ Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Sunday
We were anchored off a tiny beach that sported 15 palms and was enclosed by high cliffs. I explored it yesterday and was sad to find that locals used it as a garbage dump. Today I proposed to leave our garbage there and met crew rebellion. So whats wrong with putting garbage in a garbage dump? I took it ashore and was met by a troop of 12 monkeys who were glad to see my deposit.
There are many faces of paradise. We are now moving south toward the Malacca Straits and Singapore. Great Easter Sunday cloudless and light breeze. We deveated to Ko Ha Vai that seemed to be islands away from everywhere and just waiting to be discovered.
I anchored in between 6 dive boats that apparently discovered this spot before me. Great great diving--lunch and a drink. Then on to Ko Rok for the night. Gill and the Nances will remember we were here in 99 and found the Sea Gypsy Phallic fertility outdoor temple. It's still here! Sea Gypsys are not Thai. They are born on their boats`and live their whole lives`at sea. Here was a San Papoon (small spirit house),
some Buddist images, and about 50 hand carved penises. There was also incense, an alter of sorts---all of this on a lovely deserted sand beach.
Yes a good Easter!
We were anchored off a tiny beach that sported 15 palms and was enclosed by high cliffs. I explored it yesterday and was sad to find that locals used it as a garbage dump. Today I proposed to leave our garbage there and met crew rebellion. So whats wrong with putting garbage in a garbage dump? I took it ashore and was met by a troop of 12 monkeys who were glad to see my deposit.
There are many faces of paradise. We are now moving south toward the Malacca Straits and Singapore. Great Easter Sunday cloudless and light breeze. We deveated to Ko Ha Vai that seemed to be islands away from everywhere and just waiting to be discovered.
I anchored in between 6 dive boats that apparently discovered this spot before me. Great great diving--lunch and a drink. Then on to Ko Rok for the night. Gill and the Nances will remember we were here in 99 and found the Sea Gypsy Phallic fertility outdoor temple. It's still here! Sea Gypsys are not Thai. They are born on their boats`and live their whole lives`at sea. Here was a San Papoon (small spirit house),
some Buddist images, and about 50 hand carved penises. There was also incense, an alter of sorts---all of this on a lovely deserted sand beach.
Yes a good Easter!
Captain Scott's Log ~ Friday, March 21st, 2008
Phi Phi Don 7 44N 98 46E. We were stuck in Chalong for 3 nights to clear
out, get laundry, repair freeezer and fuel lines, and get our cockpit
cushions back. While Jeff was earning the big bucks doing these things, I
toured the local sights.
There is a Buddha being built on the mountain top that was worth the visit. It can be seen 20 miles out at sea; 45 meters high and 25 meters in diameter at the base, and currently being covered in white marble by 3rd world methods--bamboo scaffolding, cement mixed bucket by bucket, and funded with money that keeps disappearing. Wat Chalong (Temple) was very photogenic with multi-roofed temples, dragons, lions, elephants, and golden Buddhas. Oh yes, I visited Coconuts and saw David Rucker and his MaMa San. All the girls selling "advice" said they liked older men best, (yeah right!) I got off Scott free. Jeff has said goodbye to Tip. I will
miss her. We finally got free and crossed over to Phi Phi this morning. A
truly spectacular island that reminds me of the Marquesas in the South
Pacific. It was hit hard by the Tsunami but the zillion tour boats give
testiment to its resergence. Going ashore now as the sun is setting and less
tourists.
out, get laundry, repair freeezer and fuel lines, and get our cockpit
cushions back. While Jeff was earning the big bucks doing these things, I
toured the local sights.
There is a Buddha being built on the mountain top that was worth the visit. It can be seen 20 miles out at sea; 45 meters high and 25 meters in diameter at the base, and currently being covered in white marble by 3rd world methods--bamboo scaffolding, cement mixed bucket by bucket, and funded with money that keeps disappearing. Wat Chalong (Temple) was very photogenic with multi-roofed temples, dragons, lions, elephants, and golden Buddhas. Oh yes, I visited Coconuts and saw David Rucker and his MaMa San. All the girls selling "advice" said they liked older men best, (yeah right!) I got off Scott free. Jeff has said goodbye to Tip. I will
miss her. We finally got free and crossed over to Phi Phi this morning. A
truly spectacular island that reminds me of the Marquesas in the South
Pacific. It was hit hard by the Tsunami but the zillion tour boats give
testiment to its resergence. Going ashore now as the sun is setting and less
tourists.
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