The middle of November I bit the bullet and returned to Perth for a visit to sort out the loose ends that I had not managed to resolve prior to my departure back in May 2010. I parked “Sadiqi” in Rebak Marina as I did not have the confidence, after recent anchoring exploits, of leaving the boat on anchor while away. The marina is part of a resort on Rebak Island. The charge for 14 days was RM 438.90 around AU$140.00. Not to bad considering you get access to most of the resort facilities. This was the first time in nearly 6 months that Sadiqi was tied up in a marina. I flew “no frills” AirAsia to Perth via Kuala Lupur at an unbeatable price. Despite having to pay for meals, water and any extras the flights are very cheap. Bear in mind that if you want to choose a seat you will pay extra. At these sort of prices, around AU$600.00 return, I was half expecting to have to pay to go to the toilet. The flight was, thankfully, uneventful and I arrived early in the morning in Perth. Western Australia was extremely dry, not only due to lack of winter rain but very low humidity by comparison to the tropics. It was very good catching up with friends, all of whom seemed the think that I looked 10 years younger – must have been the tan and loss of weight. Yes, I am enjoying the sailing adventure.
Thanks to my dear friend Patricia for feeding me and suffering my company while I was in Perth. Thanks to Helene for the fantastic fruit cake – defiantly won’t get scurvy and for the tip on using a few drops of Oil of Clove in water to get rid of mould and mildew on the boat. It was very pleasant catching up with some of the people I used to go cruising with off Fremantle. I am indebted to them and all the people I have sailed with over the years for their companionship and the knowledge I have acquired. To “No bloody Rules” Ron I shall miss the trip south to Busselton this Christmas – my thoughts will be with you. Thanks go to all my friends in Perth, I do miss you. I have to rationalise this by thinking of the new friends I have not met yet in my adventures.
I was asked a few questions; one of them was if I had been afraid at any time. I couldn’t say that I hadn’t been afraid during the two and half thousand miles of this adventure so far. Fear, a certain amount of that is, is what helps to keep us alive. However, dwelling on fear can be very destructive. I had a few moments, usually when I was very tired and far from anywhere in the ocean, where the thought that I was alone and what if something went wrong. “We” tend to create a situation in our mind that is usually far worse than what actually transpires. In a recent book I read “Who Moved My Cheese” counteract the thoughts of fear with “What would you do if you weren’t afraid”. Deal with the situation!
Some of the “loose ends” that I returned to Perth were resolved. I was not able to sell the mooring on the Swan River. This is getting expensive to maintain and license. Anyone interested please email me.
The AirAsia flights are tough to fault and both I and my luggage arrived in reasonable condition back at Langkawi via Kuala Lampur. My blood most have thinned in the tropics as I found the air conditioning on the flight very cool.
