The technical briefing this morning
was excellent and for once gave us real information like where to
anchor when we are making our way up the coast and which are the best
marinas to stay in. Each of the marinas co-sponsoring the rally had
representatives who we could quiz about facilities and their haul out
capability. As we need to haul and re-antifoul early next year this
was an important question. With so many facilities both here in
Malaysia and in Thailand it will pay to evaluate all the options open
to us. In the break there was more food courtesy of the Danga Bay
marina, more talks after and then free to return to our boats to rest
before the gala dinner.
We've enjoyed many gala dinners on our
passage through Indonesia but none as grand as this one. We were
asked to dress smart (long trousers for men) because the newly
elected Governor of the State was the guest of honour. No problem.
We can scrub up and put on out best frocks from time to time. Before
dinner there was a 'cocktail' reception at the waterfront bar which
offered the choice of a bottle of beer or a bottle of beer though we
shouldn't complain as it was all free.
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| gala dinner |
Dinner in the convention centre next
door was a 'no alcohol' affair but plenty of soft drinks and iced
tea. We were so glad we'd dressed for the occasion because this was
as grand as a black tie affair with white damask table cloths, proper
napkins and waitress service. It was also good to see an equal
number of local people had been invited to participate too, people
attached to the marina, contractors, suppliers and probably people
connected with the resort they are developing. The menu was flash
too; a mixed platter, soup, prawns, broccoli and mushrooms, whole
steamed snapper (sublimely delicious), a rice dish and then a sago
and melon dessert. Very flash and very filling. If all rallies
were as good as this we'd sign up for them all and we haven't done
any sailing / motoring yet!
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