Trip to Sebana Cove

Date: Jan 14-15, 2017

Trip #2 (#22)
Weather: Sunny on outbound journey, and sunny, then stormy on return leg  
Waters: Choppy nearly throughout, except when going up or down river in Johor
On board: C, A, J1, J2 and R  
New gear on board: Carpet runners to protect carpet, coffee mugs 

It was another of those "admin" type trips that needed to be made as a condition of LW2 being registered with the Singapore Ships Registry; it was also what Eric of SG Boating called a "shakedown trip" to give new owners the opportunity to get to know their boats better, and to surface any technical problems the boats may have. 

This was the longest trip we have been on. We started out at Raffles Marina out in Tuas, hugged Singapore's southern coast out to the east, cleared immigration in the waters off Sisters' Island, then headed further east and then north-westerly up Johor's south-eastern corner to Sebana Cove Resort to spend the night. It took nearly four hours in all.  

We set out from Raffles Marina at 8.40am to join a convoy of five boats: Joey (Eric's behemoth), Strike Force III, Khan's, Pursuit (carrying Captain Wandi and boat mechanic Henry) and our LW2. This was C's first real time at the wheel of our new boat, and he was getting used to the power steering. The water was choppy, except for a short stretch off Pulau Hantu. 

We cleared immigration off Sisters' Island. As we were adrift, the boat was tossed about quite a bit, and J1 felt barfy. The grey immigration officials' boat pulled up and we passed our passports and travel papers to the guy who held out a fishing net. What a quaint practice. We will never know why they got a little het up when A took a picture of them doing this. 

As we continued along Singapore's southern coast, we looked inland. Several landmarks - Reflections on Keppel Bay, Marina Bay, Sentosa Cove, Raffles City, the Singapore Flyer and the seafront condos on the east coast were recognisable. We rounded the far-eastern corner of the island where the airport was and headed up Sungei Sebina (according to Google Maps), which leads to Sebana Cove. 

The way to the marina along Sungei Sebina was lined with mangroves.

What guests coming in by boat see on arrival at Sebana Cove Resort. 

Upon arrival, we berthed LW2 in one of the far-end berths, away from the resort's main building. We cleared Malaysian immigration in a building within the resort's compound. 

Berthed, connected to shore power. 

As members of the convoy were taken on a tour of fruit farms - we passed on this! - we spent the afternoon on the docks, listening to music, breaking open beers and fishing (or rather, trying to fish). We caught nothing and lost one of our new lures. 

We were trying out C's new rods and tackle. The line broke too easily.
It was an aborted fishing attempt. We have never truly caught the fishing bug. 

From left: J1, R, J2 and C, trying to catch fish.

A pleasant, quiet afternoon after four hours bouncing on the waves. 

We later moved our things to the suite that we had booked, and spent time by the resort poolside, where we had more beers and wine.  

Room 212's view. The large room was good value for money,
and the staff were friendly across the board.

After a quick shower, we were taken with the rest of the group in a few mini buses to the nearby town of Pengerang, where we had a seafood dinner at You Kees. (Don't ask. That's exactly what it says on their signboard!) The place was abuzz on this Saturday night, with many mainland Chinese workers having dinner there, and drinking what looked like baijiu chased down with - get this - soya bean milk.   

The strip on which You Kees sits reminds me of Batu Pahat or Singapore in the 1970s. We bought some snacks for MH at a provision shop and got back on the bus to head back - but not before stopping at a roadside durian stall to buy a couple of the fruit. 

Surreal scene at the durian stall.
Closest to camera, from left, J1, Henry and Eric.

Back on the boat, we had the durian and drank a prosecco toast to R, on her 26th birthday. J2 and R spent the night on the boat, and C, A and J1 took the room. 

Breakfast was at the Boathouse Tavern the next morning, after which we cleared immigration and checked out. 

The convoy moved, going slow along the river, back the way we came, but turned to starboard at the river mouth and headed up Sungei Johor to Kong Kong Taison Seafood Resort for lunch. The boats all dropped anchor about 50m away - it was the first time C used the windlass - and we were taken ashore in groups in Captain Wandi's boat, Pursuit. 

LW2 (centre), the smallest boat in the convoy, anchored just off Kong Kong
Taison Seafood Resort in Sungei Johor. 

Kong Kong Taison Seafood Resort

As we hauled up anchor after lunch, the skies grew dark. We left the area, cruising through mostly flat water with Singapore's Pulau Tekong at starboard, until we hit the sea again. The rain came - hard. J1, R and A headed below deck, leaving C and J2 to take turns piloting the boat. 

It was a rough ride, and both J1 and R felt sick. LW2 powered bravely through the rain. Khan's hung back, so Captain Wandi had to move Henry the mechanic to Khan's to pilot it through the rain. This slowed the convoy down even as LW2 went ahead.  Later, as the skies cleared, Strike Force III and Khan's overtook us.

C later described it as "the storm of the century"; he couldn't even see the bow of the boat at one stretch. Down below deck, A (who experienced some bone-jangling moments with J1 and R), noticed the lashing waves; at one point, land wasn't even in sight.   

We went through immigration while adrift outside Sisters' Island again, after which the boats all parted ways. We headed back to Raffles Marina feeling - as many school-day compositions used to end - "tired but happy" that a good time was had by all.