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Danga Bay to Pangkor Island

Heading back up the Johor Straight
It was time to tackle the Malacca straights so we headed
back up the Johor straight and anchored just before the
bridge for the night.
Once again we set off in our dinghy and explored the mangroves
full of wildlife but no crocs! Early next morning we headed
north to our first stop at a little island called Pulau
Pisang (Banana Island). |
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We made reasonable time as the tides are big but unfortunately
the longest time it would run north was at night and by
all accounts advice from all quarters is to do only day
hops through his area.
Many yachts go straight through but apart from missing everything
along the way, they have to make for the shipping lanes
to once again avoid traps etc. |
Apparently this year one boat hit a fishing boat and sunk
it! And many caught nets and of course a few were struck
by lightning which is ferocious in these parts but spectacular
to watch!
Whilst ambling along we noticed a yacht heading south
which looked familiar so we called them up and it was
old friends of ours on SOJO, who we had first met in Tassie
so with a fair bit of coercing, we convinced them to turn
around and join us.
The waters were still murky but this island was sweet
with lots of trees, birds etc and we were able to swim
again. |
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Next morning was off to Pulau Besar which proved to be a
very long day. We left before daylight just ahead of a storm
and averaged about 2 knots. At one stage we were only doing
one and our intended destination was still 8nm away but
we made it eventually.
Others had the same experience as us and we checked tides
in cruising guides etc but they are very difficult to work
out up here. |
The next stop was much more rewarding. It was a little
bay just south of Port Dickson marina with a few shallow
spots to avoid and tended to be a bit rolly but we were
greeted by a pod of pink/grey dolphins called “Indo-pacific
humpbacks” and they stayed around the boat for ages,
even when we dived in! Quite a treat.
In the back corner of the bay we found an old Chinese
well. Locals told us later that it’s a special site
guarded by a spirit which never allows the well to run
dry. I think the spirit is one of those dolphins.
The main area of beach is dotted with big lavish houses
with big lavish fences all the way to the high tide mark.
One house was fenced with cyclone fencing and as the locals
were fishing off the beach, the owners were standing at
their fence looking out. It’s funny how we all have
our own sense of freedom or privilege; I know who I thought
looked the silliest! |
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Port Dickson marina next, where we were to pick up our first
lot of mail since leaving home. Wow! What a place!
In true Malaysian style it is huge and showy! The pool was
out of this world and we decided to don our noodles and
go for a dip!
For those who don't know, a noodle is a brightly coloured
piece of foam designed for kids to play with but for us,
they are the ultimate for relaxing whilst wallowing in nice
clean, clear water. |
Our mail wasn’t
there of course so we spent an extra night until it turned
up.
We taxied into the local markets but basically stayed put
enjoying the pool and of course “hot” showers,
our first in 4 months.
Next day we made it about 1/2nm from the marina entrance
when the motor overheated and found we had cracked our heat
exchanger and as a result had blown off the exhaust!
We got the sails up and miraculously with tide with us and
a little wind, managed to sneak between two reefs to anchor
further north at Port Dickson town.
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Mike went ashore and met a fisherman who drove him all
about town until they found someone to fix it.
We were quoted about $2000 Aus for a new one but due to
the cleverness of a Chinese welder we had her back in and
running the next day for about $20Aus.
No evident damage to our dear old Perkins motor except
a little bit smokier.
On our way again "watching the temp gauge every 2
nanoseconds!"
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It was a pretty standard journey with tides strong and
seemingly against us rather than with us and a few lightning
storms and thousands of nets and traps and plastic bags
etc to finally anchor just south of the entrance to Port
Klang.
Lots of ships here as this is a major port but only had
to run the gauntlet once to cross their path and then
anchored safely for the night.
The next morning we had good timing to run in with the
tide for a change!
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The tides here are 5metres in height, something like
Darwin, so very soon we were passing the huge port and
on our way north.
We were rounding the corner to head out to sea when I
noticed lots of yachts heading out from the marina. Guess
what, we didn't know that this was the start of the Raja
Muta race which we were now leading!
As our course was set, I the navigator decided to cut up
a pumpkin for soup as the leaders passed we waved but I
think they were confused, we still had our dinghy down!
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Mike was pleased because the last of the yachts didn't pass
us until well into the night and when a storm hit us he
laughed (proudly) as they rushed to get their sails down
whereas Whimoway stretched her wings and enjoyed it.
Pankor Island next and we loved it. Advice from a friend
found us anchored in a lovely little bay with reef and white
sandy beaches and an obscure Chinese temple with Disney-like
characters on the hill above.
It reminded me a little of beach towns in Victoria, Australia
when I was young. The guesthouses though a few on the beach,
are mainly set back behind the main drag which follow the coast.
Lots of activity with tourists and locals, and lots of little
food houses and cheap beachgear and trinkets for sale.
We met a lovely man who gave Mike a portrait he'd drawn and
Mike returned the gesture with a gift of a wooden knife of
black-heart sassafras and he was pleased as unbeknown to us,
his nickname was Black.
Whilst wandering around the funny temple I met a backpacker
who asked if I would take her photo and after a little chat,
she boarded our vessel and sailed with us to Penang which is
our next story.
Sabrina has kept contact with us and returned this year and
visited us in Satun, Thailand.
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Map of Danga Bay and Pangkor Island
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Danga Bay Blog
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malaysia news from mongabay.com
• Malaysia seeks to reverse collapse of tiger population due to poaching, loggi...
by Rhett Butler
23 Dec 2008 at 10:38am
A new law seeks to double Malaysia's tiger population to 1,000 by 2020, reports BBC News.
• Degraded grasslands better option for palm oil production relative to rainfor...
by Rhett Butler
3 Dec 2008 at 8:30am
Producing biofuels from oil palm plantations established on degraded grasslands rather than tropical rainforests and peat lands would result in a net removal of carbon from the atmosphere rather than greenhouse gas emissions, report researchers writing in Conservation Biology. The results confirm that benefits to climate from biofuel production depend greatly on the type of land used for feedstocks.
• HSBC to cut lending to questionable oil palm and logging companies
by Rhett Butler
2 Dec 2008 at 8:30am
HSBC will cut lending to oil palm developers and logging companies in Malaysia and Indonesia due to environmental concerns, reports Reuters.
• Fall in palm oil price may lead to industry consolidation
by Rhett Butler
2 Dec 2008 at 8:30am
A dramatic fall in palm oil prices may provide an opportunity for plantation giants to add to their holdings, reports Reuters.
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danga bay - Google News
danga bay - Google News
• Cruising around Danga Bay - New Straits Times
29 Dec 2008 at 5:46pm
Cruising around Danga Bay New Straits Times, Malaysia - Dec 29, 2008 As the ship made its way from the Danga Bay waterfront towards the Causeway, I turned my eyes to the shoreline to enjoy a breath-taking view of Johor Baru?s ... JB mall, S'pore rail link Straits Times all 3 news articles
• Johor Baru's newest mall gets own train station - New Straits Times
3 Jan 2009 at 6:04pm
Johor Baru's newest mall gets own train station New Straits Times, Malaysia - Jan 3, 2009 Danga City Mall is part of Johor's goal to turn Danga Bay into a tourist magnet. Hotels and places of interest like fishing wharfs and Lego-land Malaysia ...
• 23-12-2008: Ekovest eyes better performance - The Edge Daily
24 Dec 2008 at 1:53am
23-12-2008: Ekovest eyes better performance The Edge Daily, Malaysia - Dec 23, 2008 by Joy Lee May Yen KUALA LUMPUR: Ekovest Bhd, whose ambitious multi-billion ringgit Danga Bay Waterfront City in Iskandar Malaysia in South Johor has been ...
• Ekovest Tendering For Projects Worth RM3bil-RM5bil - Bernama
22 Dec 2008 at 3:06am
Ekovest Tendering For Projects Worth RM3bil-RM5bil Bernama, Malaysia - Dec 22, 2008 Commenting on the proposed mixed development exercise in respect of the Danga Bay Waterfront City Development, which had been aborted due to the ...
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