{"id":2788,"date":"2017-05-16T15:40:24","date_gmt":"2017-05-16T15:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sistermidnight.co.uk\/?p=2788"},"modified":"2017-05-16T15:40:24","modified_gmt":"2017-05-16T15:40:24","slug":"puteri-to-dalac-marine-boatyard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sistermidnight.co.uk\/?p=2788","title":{"rendered":"Puteri To Dalac Marine Boatyard"},"content":{"rendered":"

The combination of the brilliant but tiring trip to Singapore, the jet lag and the humid heat meant that I was good for nothing for at least two days. I gave in to lethargy and sat in the cabin under the fans, mostly sleeping, reading, writing and listening to the radio. Not a bad way to recover ;). On Saturday I roused myself enough to take a bag of washing to the laundry and to have a look at the marina\u2019s library. It\u2019s basically a book swap facility from what I could tell, the difference being that the books are organised and they\u2019re in a room (which also has admiralty charts and a table and chairs) instead of randomly piled on shelves in the bar or clubhouse. There was a wonderful old book in there on the development of literature but I couldn\u2019t bring myself to take it without a book to swap. Unfortunately I never got the chance to take one up there again, so missed out on that delight. I wonder if it will still be there when\/if we return.<\/p>\n

We went for dinner that evening to one of the food outlets overlooking the marina. We thought it was an Indian fast food type of place (always good for veggies).\u00a0 Before we even got to the counter, a lady descended on us as if they might be just about to close or something. Anyway since she was there, waiting for us to order, we questioned her about the choices listed on the menu. Quite a lengthy interaction took place about whether certain dishes had meat or fish in them (I know I should make an effort to learn the words and phrases regarding this but believe me it isn\u2019t as straightforward as it sounds). I wasn\u2019t convinced by her assurances, but when the chef came out and reaffirmed that he would prepare a noodle dish with no meat or fish, I gave him the go ahead. When it arrived, there was a huge pink, glistening prawn on top of it, so back it went.\u00a0 After apologies and a bit of a wait, the second attempt arrived and as soon as I tasted it I knew it contained fish. I couldn\u2019t eat it but didn\u2019t want to send it back again. The reason I said it\u2019s not easy to get across vegetarianism and veganism in Asia is because of their interpretation of it. Cooks and chefs in many places don\u2019t count seafood or chicken in the meat\/fish bracket, particularly if the sauces are made from stock using them (it\u2019s just for flavour they claim (!)) so to explain preferences in Malaysian would be quite a convoluted affair. I think I\u2019m safer (along with anyone allergic to seafood presumably) just having chips or plain rice when eating out, so when we stopped for a drink at the nearby Harbour Bar I had a nice bowl of fish-free spicy potato wedges.<\/p>\n

We had another lazy day on Sunday (7th<\/span>) due to the energy-sapping humidity. Paul checked us out at the office so that we could leave early in the morning, so we got the boat ready and planned the route to our first stop. This was to be just outside the boatyard where Sister Midnight would be hauled out for repairs to the cutlass bearing, caused by what will now forever be known as \u2018the fishing line incident’ ;). We left the marina as planned at just before 7 am, with me steering us out. It was cool and cloudy \u2013 even a bit chilly – as we left the harbour and entered the open sea. By the time we approached the Second Link Bridge that links Singapore and Malaysia, it had warmed up and was fully light. We could see the traffic crawling along the road above us in the morning rush hour.<\/p>\n

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Singapore in the distance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Approaching Second Link Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paul had already been under this bridge when he journeyed to Puteri in April so he knew it was possible. \u00a0As with the one in Penang, however, it looked wholly im<\/em>possible to me. Even when almost directly underneath, it seemed that the mast would hit the top. Apparently the best thing to do if the mast is set to break is to get as low as possible. It was fascinating to watch, and there really wasn\u2019t a lot of spare room between the top of the mast and the underside of the road.<\/p>\n

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Paul checking we’re still going to fit underneath \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Almost under<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The bridge cleared, it was time to watch out for other potential obstacles. This list grew as we motored into the busy shipping lane just after 9 am. Paul brought his laptop up to the cockpit to study the AIS screen that displayed the location and direction of crafts in the vicinity and I took over the steering. As well as looking out for fishing buoys and fishing boats, other things to watch for and avoid were:<\/p>\n