Melaka

We left Danga Bay Marina (total charge for ten days - £1.75) and motored to Pisang Island where we anchored. We had a terrible night. Ellida had to re-anchor twice! Bleary eyed we motored into a headwind to Pulau Besar, for about 15 hours. The night was slightly better after the thunderstorm had finished. A short 8 hour motor saw us arrive at Admiral Bay Marina. The following morning we hired a taxi to Melaka. This is Christ Church and is an integral part of the historic walk which we completed the first day. Our lunch in Chinatown consisted of rice balls. These were exactly as the name implies, but the majority decision was that rice is tastier. We stayed at Samudra Inn for about £10 for Kathy and me. Our room was air conditioned, but the facilities were basic.
On the second morning we had our breakfast at a nearby stall - roti (cheese, egg, flour) with a hot lentil gravy. Crunchie Nut Cornflakes never seemed so good. Off we walked with Graham and Liz to the Maritime Museum, followed by lunch of chicken and rice for four, cost - under £5. In the afternoon we walked round the local temples. This Chinese temple, one of the oldest in Malaysia, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, was most impressive, with intricate gold carvings. A quick shop and the taxi back to Port Dickson near the marina was more interesting than anticipated. We got Albert the Singing Indian Performing Taxi Driver, who entertained us all the way home with his impression of crying babies, digruntled two year olds and renditions of once loved songs. It was like turning the clock back 23 years - "Are we there yet?" After a day to recover, Sal Darago and Ellida were ready to set off on their last journey together for some time as Ellida is to be hauled out at our next port of call 140 nautical miles away.