We set off on 24th early morning. We did our immigration clearance on the west side of Sentosa. We set off immediately to the east. Wind condition was bad so we were on our engine assisted sailing. Along the way, we saw a Malaysia police marine heading towards Pedra Branca, for the first time in 30 years allowed to be near there since the Malaysia now owns two (strategic) rocks. We also saw the Singapore stealth ship (I think) near there.
I done my fair bit of sailing but this is my first extended trip. The difference is like playing golf at the range and at the green – similar yet dramatically different. When you are out in the sea, no land nor ship in sight, you suddenly realised you are so insignificant. Your life is really in the hand of God, regardless of how much planning you do.
When the sunset, it sea sparkled and shimmered across the horizon, quietly, only the sound of the wind and the splashing of the waves.
Nightfall is the time to find a place to anchor, flipping through maps, wind and tide forecast and using GPS as a guide, you wonder how the heck sailors in the past did it without all the modern technologies.
Early next morning, we set a course to Pulau Sibu. Took us the whole morning and arrive at a small resort (only saw 2 guests) around 1pm only to be told they run out of food (wth!?). We end up making lunch on the boat, instant noodles and then set off to Pulau Rawa.
Pulau Rawa, according to friend, serves the best lime juice in the South China Sea. We arrived around 7pm at a resort filled with foreigners and their families but no lime juice. Kids are all over the places, the sand is beautiful but the corals are sadly dead. The dead corals go all the way to the shore (merely meters) and we can only imaging how beautiful it is years ago before human arrives.
This is where my glasses broke into half, one half landed on the boat and the other half sink into the sea. Its not deep (5 meter water) but it is dark…and jellyfishes are all over the boat.
The next morning, we made our way to Tioman. I used to see those old ships with a small platform on the top of the mast for watch out, I wonder why you need someone up there just to see ships which you can see from miles away. After this trip, I can fully appreciate the importance of watch out, and without my glasses, I am practically useless.
Wind was pretty bad so we made our way on engine again and arrive at Tioman around noon time.
As we were doing our port clearance, another friend from Singapore, Matt the semi-retired fund manager from China also arrived in his 44 foot Catamaran. He set sail a day after us but was able to do average 8 knots compared to our miserable 5 knots. His boat is huge, living room, 3 bedrooms with full-size beds, 2 toilets and showers (!!). We spend the afternoon Island hopping around Tioman on his boat and then drinking beers at the habour of Tioman in the evening.
The next morning, I become a deserter :-( I bought a ticket from Beryaja Air and fly back to Singapore while Alex & Rocky continue their way to Laut and then sailing back to Singapore together. It was lucky Rocky came along at the last minute or Alex would have problem going back to Singapore.
Did not see any sharks but lots of fishes, dolphins and water. It was tiring but definitely something I love to do again.
