 |
Last Minute Nerves in Melaka |  |
|
| Tuesday 29th August 2000 Day 343
|
Well today we are supposed to be setting off from Melaka. Yesterday we
were given an almost Royal Flag Off by the Chief Minister of Melaka
State - and about 50 locals, 20 Kayakers and a Malay Band. Today we are
trying to work out whether the Malay kayakers who have been appointed to
join us on the crossing are actually up to the arduous 3 day crossing
that now confronts us.
Mike Thein our local champion is still firing on all cylinders - although the true colours of Malaysia are beginning to shine through! Although the country has a surface that resembles quite closely to a Western country with all the trappings of a civilised country - we have been treated to a closer look over the last couple of days - and today - our departure day is turning out to be a serious headache. Let me paint a picture: Its 15:40 on Tuesday 29th August. We are still in Melaka Harbour. Our support boat is a 50ft Timber Barge. It has no steps or any form of landing platform. We therefore have no way of accessing the boat from the water. Gary has just departed to attempt to build us a floating pontoon in a little less than 2 hours. We are currently awaiting 1 of our Sea Kayaks - the one that Mike will be using to attempt the crossing. Our (Andrew and I) Kayaks are still 10km away up the coast. We shall be meeting Mike 40km away at an unspecified time in a place called Kuala Lingggi - in an unspecified location. We have yet to clear customs and immigration. However - we do have sufficient food and drinking water on board for about 5 days! We shall be sleeping aboard the barge on the open deck for the next 3 nights (if all goes according to plan). Tonight I estimate that we shall get to bed at about 11pm - to be followed by getting up tomorrow at about 03:30 for our 12 hour crossing of the Straits of Melaka. I am becoming a little concerned. But Mike is still very very entusiastic - and so we pray that Malay Energy and Hospitality will prevail!!!!! All the best - and keep everything crossed Richard. |
||
