While Elaine spent most of her day in bed, Roy spent most of his day with Roger and Lucy off Catamini on the patio of Sugar Wharf, helping them setup and learn all about with their new Apple Mac. Fortunately, at one point in the day, the fog lifted for Elaine and she was able to get all her cleaning chores completed before Roy returned, as well as spent some time reading her latest book.
Still not feeling completely human, Elaine slept-in again this morning, while Roy enjoyed his morning walk, then cooked breakfast, a rare occasion, as breakfast is normally Elaine’s designated task. She did, however, get through her other chores for the day, enjoyed her mid-morning walk, stopping by Paw Paw on her way back to fetch Roy so that we could get a coffee and simultaneously enjoy the beautiful Chinese New Year decorations setup at the entrance to Straits Quay mall. It’s hard to believe we’re still going to be in Malaysia for another year of these celebrations, although, they’ll definitely be far more muted this time around, no doubt. Unfortunately, during last year’s festivities, the world had no idea what was brewing in China and what that meant for the human race. Regardless, the decorations are very well done, with Chinese lanterns all around the marina, supplementing the centre piece. They definitely helped add a dash of cheer to the surroundings while we awaited further announcements this evening from the Malaysian Prime Minister on lockdown measures.
We were also delighted to take delivery of our new wind generator, the old one having been the bugbear of Elaine’s life onboard since it was purchased in 2015, given the noise it makes and the endless nights of disturbed sleep it has caused, by spinning wildly above her cabin. Our new fuel pumps arrived too, all of which should keep us both busy for the next few days.
Our day came to a close with the news that Penang State was one of six being placed under the strictest MCO (Movement Control Order) measures, while six others were being placed under a Conditional MCO, with only two remaining under the Recovery MCO. None of this was particularly surprising, given the continued increase in COVID-19 cases since September and, fortunately, doesn’t really impact us, per se, as we’ve stayed onboard and have only been going out for essential matters anyway. In many ways it’s a relief that measures are being taken again to curb the spread.
Since dinner onboard had already been decided in lieu of our original plans to dine out, given the sharp increase in coronavirus cases recently, the Birthday Boy decided to kill two birds with one stone by taking the opportunity to create another one of our galley videos which would double-up as his birthday dinner; restaurant-style spare ribs cooked in the Dutch Oven. His efforts were well worth it. Scrumptious indeed!
In between all this activity, though, his second birthday gift arrived just in the nick of time; his new bar fridge and it didn’t take him long to unpack it, connect it and stock it. He was one happy bunny!
His day was wrapped up with birthday greetings and phone calls received from family and friends all over the world, including a “Happy Birthday” rendition from Justine, which we can categorically state that singing is definitely not her strong point, although she got an “A” for her effort! Captain Roy extends his thanks to everyone for the wonderful wishes.
After breakfast, while Elaine caught up on the blogs, Roy tackled the next unexpected problem onboard; our freezer had definitely given up the ghost. A few exchanges of parts with the fridge got it going again as a temporary measure until the spare parts arrive. It didn’t help matters, though, that when we tried to start up the cockpit fridge, it too had given up the ghost, so a new one was ordered. However, given its fabulous service since purchasing it in Tahiti in 2016, for the bargain price of $80USD, we really couldn’t complain.
After our mid-morning walk, we stopped by the marina office to get some paperwork printed, which completed Elaine’s activities on the Grab Bag and the paperwork for the Malaysian immigration department, should we need it.
Next up was a baking flurry by Roy, while Elaine completed a few more odd jobs and administrative tasks before we settled down to an afternoon tea, accompanied by a baked delight, the latter as a result of Roy’s efforts; gluten-free chocolate muffin for Elaine and pain aux raisins for Roy. Delicious!
The brilliant news of the day was that the State of Georgia’s runoff resulted in both the Democratic candidates overturning the Republicans, clenching a 50:50 split in the US Senate moving forward and giving Vice President-Elect, Kamala Harris, the tiebreaker vote, should this be required. The country couldn’t have asked for a better political outcome. Now all that was needed was for Trump and his cronies to disappear into a hole somewhere and allow the Biden administration to get the pandemic under control and restore the US to it’s rightful place on the world stage, instead of the embarrassment it’s been for the past four years!
After a chat to Elaine’s sister to wish her a very Happy Birthday and a call to Elaine’s folks before heading to bed, we weren’t to know we’d wake up yesterday morning to the horrific news of what had transpired at the US Capitol overnight. Roy had seen the news first, as he was awake early to head to the hospital for a followup appointment. A text message to Elaine informed her of the shameful antics. It truly was a sad day for America and democracy as the world looked on and had us wondering what future our son and grandchildren have in such a dysfunctional society. Condemnations from around the world, including all the living ex-US Presidents verbalised our thoughts and feelings, as we were completely speechless.
Trying to refocus on our immediate situation, we’ve spent the last few days dealing with various administrative tasks, including immigration matters for Thailand, continuing to order the remaining parts we need, getting some chores done, cleaning the waterline, re-bagging the propellers and saildrives and completing the preparations for the upcoming birthday celebrations.
Although it started to rain again yesterday evening we still enjoyed a barbecue, followed by a 3 3/4-hour epic movie, the second half of which was left until tonight. Guess this is one way to make our movie nights last!
Elaine, unfortunately, also had to forego the opportunity to meet Anne off Time Bandit today, who was in Penang for the day, having flown down from Langkawi Island this morning. With the coronavirus cases continuing to increase, it was simply not viable. A real pity, as Elaine would definitely have enjoyed Anne’s company, albeit for only a few hours.
Our day ended with the news of Tropical Storm, Danilo, projected to move right over Mauritius and Le Reunion, then passed the southeastern tip of Madagascar, a most unusual track for these storms. It feels like the entire world is topsy-turvy at the moment!
Feeling human again, Elaine got stuck into her remaining tasks for the day; returning the cockpit to normal after everything had dried out, dismantling and stowing all the Christmas decorations and then started to sort out all the revised paperwork needed for our appointment with immigration. Her efforts were rewarded when Roy returned with a takeaway coffee for her.
After breakfast yesterday we enjoyed a lovely long chat to Keenan, the first in weeks, before Roy took a Grab to Georgetown to confirm which immigration office our appointment was at; turns out we would have gone to the wrong building. While he was out, Elaine continued her efforts of collating all the documentation needed. However, we’d no sooner got our ducks in a row, when we received the news that the previous announcement, terminating the visa amnesty, had been rescinded and the amnesty had been reinstated to correlated with the end of the MCO (Movement Control Order) per the previous status. Although we were more than a tad irritated at this point, we were, nonetheless, relieved and grateful.
Setting our frustrations aside, we spent the afternoon dropping off the two large bags of Elaine’s old clothes at a local charity shop en route to Gurney mall, where we enjoyed lunch at our favourite Dim Sum restaurant, then shopped for Roy’s chosen birthday gift, deciding that he’d like to alternate his exercise walks with some strength training.
It was almost dinner time by the time we returned to Paw Paw and Roy felt like a beer. So, while he trundled off in search of Korean chicken to accompany his cold beverage, Elaine enjoyed a long chat to her folks in Ireland. Unfortunately, the conversation was interrupted by the bad news, received through the grapevine, that a COVID-19 case had been detected in their building. This was subsequently confirmed after a number of followup phone calls were made the building management representatives; a very worrying and troubling development indeed, especially since no one had been officially informed up to that point, there was no information on how long this situation had existed nor what procedures had been followed to ensure the safety and well-being of the other residents. Roy, in the meantime, returned looking a tad “green” having discovered his deep-fried, battered chicken pieces included chicken skins and bums!
Today it was all hands on deck to get organised for the next few months, given the amnesty until 31st March; while Roy ordered all the parts we needed for the next tranche of yacht projects, Elaine started our correspondence with agents in Thailand and completed the paperwork needed for the Malaysian immigration authorities, all as a backup plan. By then we both needed a walk to clear our heads, though, following which we stopped in for a coffee. We’d no sooner returned to Paw Paw, though, when we received the news that there was a confirmed COVID-19 case in the large apartment complex in Straits Quay; it was all getting far too close for comfort. With that, Roy’s birthday celebration plans were cancelled, deciding it was safer to remain onboard.
A quick chat to Elaine’s sister, followed by dinner and a movie wrapped up a few days of emotional highs and lows, but deciding that all we could do was keep ourselves as safe as possible, continue our prayers for the safety of our loved ones and focussing on the lovely photographs we’d received recently of the Cadman Jr. family was a far better use of our energy.
Having set the table and prepared our starters and main course for dinner, we decided to spread the evening out by enjoying Happy New Year chats to family and friends between courses. First up was a chat to Elaine’s folks in Ireland, followed by our starters, then a chat to Elaine’s sister before our main course. A nice long video call to Justine and Paul in England brought us almost to midnight, but not before we’d taken a walk down the dock to wish the other cruisers in the marina a Happy New Year. This was the point, however, at which the shine was taken off our celebrations, although throngs of people had gathered on the waterfront by then; we received notification, via the New Zealand High Commission, that our visa amnesty was cancelled and we had 14 days to get to an immigration office to be processed for a Special Pass to depart or to stay, although no one knows what grace period will be granted on the latter. Completely taken off guard, given that we’d also received the news earlier that the MCO (Movement Control Order) had been extended until 31st March, with no mention of any visa implications, and had breathed a slight sigh of relief, it was obviously premature unfortunately.
And, with that, the all familiar wave of uncertainty swept over us. But, however reluctantly, we still popped our bottle of bubbly on the stroke of midnight, with the countdown blasting from shore, enjoyed our dance to “Auld Lang Syne” and watched the fireworks all along the western shoreline of Peninsular Malaysia, wondering what on earth 2021 would have in store for us. It’s fair to say, we felt like we’d just picked up where we’d left off, a feeling that has lingered since.
As we danced on the deck under a full moon to “Auld Lang Syne”, though, originally a Scottish poem that was later set to music, the literal translation of the title being “old long since”, meaning something akin to “times gone by” or “times long gone”, the lyrics of this age old song seemed so much more relevant:
“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne?
CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup! and surely I’ll buy mine! And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine; But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne. CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine; But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne. CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend! And give me a hand o’ thine! And we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne. CHORUS”
Saying goodbye to our Scottish cruising friends, Anne and Stuart off Time Bandit, today, didn’t help the mood either, as they plan to set sail later this month for South Africa. It was, however, lovely to see them again and spend a few hours chatting on the patio of Starbucks over a coffee and some baked delights.
Other activities have included the age old practice on Paw Paw of making lists; one in preparation for our appointment with immigration on the 12th January and one in preparation for a more immediate departure from Malaysia. Then, while Elaine enjoyed some downtime reading her book, Roy pottered around building a new lithium battery pack for our “winch buddy”, something we decided we better repair if we were ever going to be able to hoist our mainsail again, after months and months of hanging around marinas.
We wrapped up our days the same way as most other days; with a movie. However, last night we watched the last of our regular Christmas favourites, The Holiday, and viewed the displays of fireworks from around the world online.
Unfortunately we’re also still sitting in limbo with regards to an announcement on whether or not the MCO (Movement Control Order) and our associated visa amnesty will be extended beyond today. This means projects for next year remain on hold as we didn’t want to run the risk of ordering parts and equipment and then not have them arrive in time, should we have to depart Malaysia.
Catching up on world news again definitely left us rather depressed too and has certainly cemented our thinking that we’ll be setting sail on Paw Paw no matter what, if the amnesty is not extended, before risking our lives by getting on an aeroplane to anywhere we’d be allowed to land.
The good news is that we’ve both been sleeping like babies and then still have the cheek to have an afternoon nap. Yesterday we were up early, though, to return to the Gleneagles Hospital for Elaine’s followup appointment. Thinking it would be quiet, we were surprised to find the hospital and clinics heaving, making our wait to see the specialist the longest ever; 3 hours after getting blood work completed and having breakfast. Obviously with the Christmas holidays, appointments must have backed up and, unfortunately, it was a very long wait just to receive bad news. Such is life! It was lunchtime by the time we emerged and the restaurant, Edo Ichi, was our choice to enjoy a meal before getting a few more provisions and returning to Paw Paw.
Today, we’re planning on a very low-key New Year’s Eve, staying onboard and pottering around. Roy has plans to cook up a storm in the galley this evening and Elaine surpassed expectations with her cooking choice for breakfast this morning; poached egg on smoked salmon, much to Roy’s amazement.
So, as we await further announcements from the Malaysian government on what 2021 holds for us, we would like to wish all our family, friends and followers around the world a much safer, happier and healthier 2021. Good riddance to 2020, a year that will go down in infamy, no doubt. Also, we would like to extend our thanks to our host country and its citizens, who have provided us with a home when the rest of the world barred us from entering, who have kept us safe to the best of their ability, who made us feel welcome and provided us with everything we needed, including excellent medical care, proficient yacht services, fabulous tourist outings and a friendly face when, at times, all we needed was a smile. No matter what the outcome of our visa amnesty, Malaysia and her people will always hold a special place in our hearts. Here’s to a far better 2021!
Elaine, however, had to reprimand two young boys at the pool shortly after they arrived with their parents, who lay tanning and completely ignored their children’s bad behaviour, never mind that their behaviour was also contravening SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). They soon scuttled off and behaved for the rest of the morning following a few stern words from Elaine, much to the embarrassment of the parents. As Elaine has indicated on more than one occasion recently, her days are long over of putting up with inconsiderate individuals, who, in this instance, were endangering, not only her life, but others around them in this era of the coronavirus pandemic. What irked Elaine more, was these were foreigners who couldn’t even respect the rules of their host country. Needless to say, the parents certainly paid more attention to their children afterwards! Guess they were more concerned of being asked to leave the hotel for not following the SOPs, had we decided to complain to management.
By midday the forecast rain had set in, so we took the opportunity to return to our suite, enjoy a nap and then got ready for Elaine’s next pre-booked surprise from Captain Roy; her first ever afternoon high tea, something she’s always wanted to attend and it was absolutely lovely; from sandwiches, rolls and savoury baked delights of smoked salmon tartar, crab meat slaw, marinated tuna flakes, cucumber, dill and cream cheese, truffle scented egg and organic spinach quiches to a variety of cake and tea pastries, including custard slices, tiramisu, red velvet cake, Christmas cake and fruit tartlets, as well as fruit and plain scones served with homemade strawberry jam, pineapple jam and clotted cream, accompanied by Darjeeling tea for Roy and Queen Catherine tea for Elaine, the latter a signature blend of three Chinese black teas, Keemun, Panyang and Yunnan, in honour of Queen Catherine of Braganza, who introduced her love of tea to the British. It was a complete gluten overload for Elaine, but utterly scrumptious and so very posh! Stuffed to our eyeballs, we took a leisurely stroll to the gift shop and the gallery before heading back to our suite. We were, however, able to find an aerial photograph of Straits Quay marina where Paw Paw is berthed. Although slightly outdated, it portrays a good bird’s eye view of the area.
Fortunately we booked a late dinner and what a treat that turned out to be too. Having decided we were only going to have something light, though, that idea went straight out the window after perusing the menu; beef tartar and beef bourguignon for Roy, French onion soup and beef wellington for Elaine, but we definitely had to skip dessert, although we both enjoyed a cuppa of our choice, together with a suggestion for Roy from the Italian waiter; a grappa. Given that he’d never had one before, he wasn’t actually able to drink it, comparing it to “fire water”.
Contented and stuffed to the hilt again, we retired for the night after another superb day, surpassed only by a lovely long chat to Elaine’s folks in Ireland before “lights out”.
This morning, with no desire to consume another morsel of food, we enjoyed a sleep-in before heading to the patio for a very, very light breakfast. There was time to spare after returning to our suite for Elaine to pack before heading off to enjoy her final treat of this fabulous Christmas break; her Malay soothing massage at the Panpuri Spa.
After choosing her scented oil, the Lotus Flower, she was instructed on the SOPs for the spa. This involved having a shower in her treatment room before positioning herself on the bed and summoning the masseuse with a bell. What Elaine wasn’t expecting, which she didn’t see until the massage was over, was to see the masseuse in full PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including mask, visor and gloves. Regardless, it was the perfect massage and just what Elaine’s body needed. Roy, on the other hand lazed around, even deciding to skip the pool, in lieu of a quiet morning on his own.
After our late checkout, before we knew it, we were back on Paw Paw, happy to find everything in order. An afternoon coffee, followed by a nap completed our Christmas break.
It was almost 1700 by the time Elaine surfaced, so, while Roy prepared our light dinner of homemade chicken vegetable soup, Elaine got busy with unpacking and sanitising everything that wasn’t going into the wash.
Our movie night left much to be desired, though, having picked one that didn’t quite match the online reviews. Regardless, we hadn’t thought we’d have as good a Christmas as last year during our time in Senibong Cove marina and Singapore, but this year’s festivities, although completely different, were definitely on a par. Simply lovely and spoilt from beginning to end!
It was hard to believe 2020 was drawing to a close, a year all of us want to put behind us because of the pandemic, but we are grateful for the many wonderful memories we’ll be taking with us into 2021, nonetheless, and pray that this coming year, although it feels like we’ll be picking up where we left off, will bring the relief the world needs from this disaster.
