Tag Archives | Selene

With Thailand and all its wonders fading in the distance we began the long journey down the Malaaca Straights to Singapore and then Borneo. The trip to Singapore is just over 500 nautical miles of straight passage plagued by strong current, usually against us. We will skirt the oncoming shipping lanes staying on the Malaysia side.

The Malaaca Straights are the longest straights in the world and one of the most historical and well traveled shipping routes in the world. A quick look at the AIS screen verifies the traffic, lots of traffic. We are safe outside the shipping lanes where the only hazards are the scattered fishing boats. About ten years ago there was some piracy on the Indonesian side, cruisers were cautioned when taking this passage. The Malaysian military responded quickly and without brutal efficiency ending all piracy instantly. Maybe we should hire them to fix the Somali piracy as it seems with all our might we rendered impotent.

 With the lure of great Borneo diving we decide to make fast tracks and be able to use some time on the Borneo coast. I have seen this passage and will again in the fall so fast tracking is fine with me. This is such a shift from the short runs and tons of fun cruising mode we enjoyed in Thailand that I was concerned for the happiness of my wonderful crew. No worries, both Marina and Amy were glad to be under way, do night passages and gain experience. The Serenity (a nice name for boredom hahaha) of being at sea seams to suit both of them well.  We pass the time talking, listening to music, get a bit of exercise and I take the opportunity to add to my song list on the guitar.  For me, predawn departures and long long days are heaven; I am in my natural realm. Maybe it is my brush with Buddhism but I find joy in the absence of thought now, the miles upon miles of flat water provide a Zen like carpet to travel on.

Amy getting some exercise at Sea, she can do amazing Yoga poses while we are underway too!

First stop was Langkaw after an all night passage in near perfect conditions, flat seas, stars and half a moon. This was perfect for the girl’s first night watches. Up before the sun we hit Penang then several late night anchorages and early departures until we hit my favorite marina in Malaysia, Admiral Marina, in Port Dickson. Here we met several of our cruising friends and met some new ones too. We relished the time in the luxurious swimming pool and a great feast at a local outdoor Chinese Restaurant with our friends. This marina is a great deal, uniformed guards to open the gates, exquisite architecture and well maintained and protected marina all for under twenty dollars a day.

We will reach Danga Bay, a marina on the Malaysia side just above Singapore tomorrow just a short week after we left Phuket. We all agreed that we did not need to stop in Singapore on this trip. We are on a mission.

After Three months of cruising and enjoying the wonders of Thailand, here is a glimpse of what we saw, did and learned. Thailand is cruiser’s paradise, unlimited anchorages, caves and lagoons to explore, and world class diving.

anchorages abound

Kayaking at its best

warm water always good for a dip

Well kept parks

clear water and great views

Look at that water!!

world class diving

and more

and more

Phuket is famous for its night life and party world. We found some awesome live music. this my friend, Hootey, who let me sit in with him on Mondays at the ATM Bar. He is a phenomenal guitar player. I had a blast jamming with him and his band.

The famous “Lady Boys” of Phuket.

And some “real girls” Thai ladies are world renowned for their beauty and charm. there is a good reason men come from around the world to find true love in Thailand.

Thailand has three faces, the natural beauty, the party life and the spiritual relm. Here is the Big Buddha, which i visited five times and each time was a awakening experience. Life in Phuket envelopes all three faces, all enter wound in a maze of joy and all under the watchful eye of the Big Buddha. 

I was blessed by the monks

i visited several Temples and was always moved by the experience.

No trip to Thailand is complete without an elephant ride

While westerners enjoy the boating and natural beauty, trip the light fantastic with the night life and become awakened by the spiritual side all with the features of the western world, the Thai fishermen go about life as they have for time eternal, unchanged.

Greetings Furthur Followers, i just added a group of pictures about Thailand and rather than e mail them i want to send you this link so you can have a look at your pleasure.  Always happy to hear feedback on the blog and the voyage,
http://furth…

Meals are an important part of the bonding and fun the crew have. i have been blessed with some phenomenal cooks and i am happy to say I am spoiled rotten. Here is a pancake breakfast under the warm Thai morning sun.

it is a Furthur tradition for new crew to jump from the upper deck– and great fun for old timers too!

We celebrate the entrance into each country with a flag raising ceremony–here we are back in Malaysia

Not all hard work and fun, there is always time for a nap

We celebrate birthdays with zest.

Shore side exploring can take us into caves, lagoons and jungles.

We make friends with the locals as much as we can, here is a lovely Thai girl who joined us.

Local sea food is always a favorite and we buy it from the fisherman when we can.

We partake in the local customs and religious practices. i found a real connection to the Buddhist Temples.

dive gear stored and off to the next dive site, with a little fishing on the way.

the kayaks are great for exploring remote white sandy beaches.

diving is a major part of what we do. Yes when we say meet the locals it may have big teeth

We sing songs and i love to play the guitar for the crew.

Not all fun and games, provisioning is the hardest job the crew does. planning, buying, getting it all to the boat and storing provisions can be a long job but fun if done as a team.

this is just a glimpse of what we do, i hope you enjoyed a look into the Life on Furthur.  let me know if you have any questions or comments, brian@seleneseattle.com