sv evi

We launched evi on 4th April. It was stressful since Riki had done so much work with the engine that we weren’t sure if it would start…Jeff Pang, our marine diesel mechanic, sparky, and all-around boat whiz came with us on the trip to Ao Po Marina to help monitor things. After all of Riki’s hard work in the shipyard, he was ready for a break from fixing things. But it was not to be — both fridges stopped working on the 4th of April. We decided to make do with buying ice everyday and get them fixed in Langkawi. After 5 weeks of sleeping in air-conditioned accommodations, I had trouble sleeping on board in the sweltering heat. Sometimes I slept half the night on the aft deck.

One day the forecast was 95 degrees F (35 degrees C), but feels like 117 degrees F (47 degrees C)! No wonder I feel hot! (plus hot flashes don’t help!!). On our sail back to Langkawi we stopped at Koh Haa. The snorkeling was amazing — clearest water and most fish and coral we have seen since Indonesia. It felt sooo good to snorkel again. One late afternoon, Riki, Jade, Luz, and I swam behind the boat and around the corner of the island…it was pretty rough, and I struggled swimming back to the boat because of the strong current. I was impressed that Jade and Luz could swim against that current — they are now better swimmers than me, and certainly better at diving down to look at creatures in the water. We saw a nudibranch, and a swam with a turtle for a long time.

We got one fridge fixed in Langkawi — yay!! It’s no fun cooking for 5 people with no fridge in 95 degree weather!

We celebrated Luz’ 8th birthday together with our friend Marin from SV Meerkat, who turned 4, at the Splash Out Waterpark in Langkawi. We were joined by friends from SV Seybourne, SV Rumblefish, and SV Nebo. They made the fanciest cake Luz has ever gotten — combining her two favorite things: orange and bunnies. Our friends Koen & Sanne treated us to a delicious dinner afterwards at Kuah Town Seafood. Luz said, “This was the best birthday ever!”, but I think she says that every year. 🙂

We spent one glorious week at Rebak Marina in Langkawi. Our friends Loretta and Bubba lent us an air conditioner while we were there…ahhh! Game changer for sleeping. Rebak Marina shares Rebak island with a 5 star resort, and dirtbag cruisers like us can use all the facilities of the resort for free: bird feeding in the aviary twice a day (the girls did this every day without fail), fuseball, air hockey, ping pong, billiards, air-conditioned library and “kids club” room, free movies and popcorn on the beach once a week, and bike riding. Riki and I hiked early one morning to Red Rocks beach.

Nina and Kate on SV Nebo celebrated their 7th birthday at the Langkawi Wildlife Park. Our kids were stoked to get to feed so many animals. We all had a great time, and we ended the day with dinner on evi.

Now we are in Penang, Malaysia. We love it here! The food is amazing, and there is so much to do. One afternoon in the blazing sun Riki enlisted the crew to help pull the anchor chain out so that we can flip it. Jade also cleaned the anchor locker (she fits better than Riki), while Tomu and Luz scrubbed the chain.

Our friends on Nebo arrived yesterday, and we had a fun evening out.

We have more fun activities planned in Penang, then we will head back south in the Malacca Strait to deliver evi to Senibong Cove Marina in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The Malacca Strait is also known as “Lightning Alley”, and the rainy season has begun. We will be happy when we make it to Senibong Cove! We fly home in June for a visit!