At 4pm on the 20th February 2009 Sir W. Lee Duncan III & Master Scott T. Graham Esquire dropped anchor in front of the Royal Brunei Yacht Club, thus marking the completion of our sailing odyssey from Bohol to Brunei.. Much handshaking and back slapping was done, corks erupted and champagne flowed (and was then quickly hidden in this this alcohol-free country).
The previous day we had spent in Labuan island (Malaysia), checking out through immigration and making final bandaid repairs to Tambasakan. Perhaps the highlight here was landing on an innocent looking beach and then strolling up the hill to find we had stumbled into a Malaysian military base. We were promtply shown back to our boat but very polite commanding officers..
With just 30kms remaining in our journey we headed out through the bay of Labuan amidst dozens of super freighters. Tambasakan held her ground as we played chicken with ships having anchors bigger than she is...With only small brown spots in our underpants we headed into open water. From there the wind and waves conspired to help us to a fast finish. Pulling some of our fastest speeds since the Sulu sea, we sailed down the face of waves with sails flapping furiously (now bearing some serious tears that would just last the trip out) and then triumphantly storming into Brunei harbour, our finaly resting place - so to speak.
After packing up the boat we took our paddle boat into the yacht club and were immediately greeted with a month's free membership, entitling us to such wonders as free hot showers and washing machines, nice restaurant and fancy bar (without alcohol of course).
Now we're in Bandar, Brunei's capital, searching out immigration officers, and a place to print "for sale" signs to post at the Yacht Club. Last night we stayed in an affordble concrete rest house, and this morning we stolled through a park-side market, ate a huge peanut and raisin pancake, and watched monkeys swing from the trees. Our thoughts naturally drifted to the Duncan boys, and we look forward to a proper "pile on" when we get home. Scott thought mainly of his beautiful lady...Beyond the park, the city is a compact mix of opulent shopping areas, eastern restaurants, mosques, palaces, and the world's largest "water village"-home to 30 thousand Bruneians. In all, Bandar takes on a tropical Venice meets Las Vegas appearance, all watched over by gigantic posters of the Sultan.
For the next two days, we must seek out a boat buyer--not an easy task amid the global finacial crisis. Our greatest challenge yet?
Wish you could all join us--the food is great and in great abundance. We owe you all a tasty meal at our next reunion--thank you so much for riding Tambasakan across the wavy seas of the Philippines and Borneo.Click for more photos here
