Wind And Waves

They put us up at the river front hotel, where I had a hotel room all to myself with two sets of French doors that opened to the Miranda that overlooked the ocean. This was where we were to stay for a couple days while we did the short races. And then it was off to Miri for the end of the Regatta.

I was in a strange space of neither being here nor there. The book
I was reading filled that space

A picture of all the boats rounding the first marker, during the first race. Quite a grand sight. We didn’t actually win any of the races but I know we learned a ton!
This being the first time Colin had sailed in a regatta and being the most I had been called upon to work the ropes and basically the most sailing I’ve ever done! Colin was incredibly patient with me and an awesome teacher.

Man alive! Do I LOVE sailing!

We had great views of all kinds of different boats sailing. It is so beautiful to see a boat undersail and to be under sail is an amazing thing as well!

This is Chris, charting our course. He joined us on the overnight passage race from Labauan to Miri.
The three of us througholy enjoyed eachothers company. Lots of good conversations. Chris a quiet, mellow, humble kind of a guy, seems to have lived quite an extradordinary life. He was CFO of a motor company (I forgot the name!) and decided he wanted a lifestyle change and so now he is the journalist that covers the regattas around Asia. And of course there are a million interesting details in between. I think the thing that captures you the most about him is is kind demeanour and fearless questions that encourage you to open up your world to him. I think Colin and I both enjoyed the chance to talk about our lives and it was super interesting to hear more about Colin’s!

We tore a sail and had to motor much of the way. Motoring adds huge amounts to your time. We discoveredt that after about 4pm there was virtually no wind and in fact a current that took you the other way so most of the boats ended up motoring. We ended up coming in second, since we had motored so much, we knew we had no chance of placing. But the newspapers, many of whome don’t understand the regatta, took lots of pictures of us, thinking we had come in second place! The next day, we discovered our picture in the newspaper!


And upon reaching Miri, it was a big party! From 7am till midnight we drank. Here is a picture of the people from the first few boats. Each boat who came in, was awarded a case of Heineken. We put all our beer in one ice chest, sat around it and drank it. Some people had a heck of a time getting back to their boats!

Here is a picture of Colin and I. The days after the race, the docks were opened up to the public and many people came by to see the boats. Colin gave lots of tours of Reflections IV. It was a baffling concept to many of them that these boats were people’s home.

And there was lots and lots and lots of dancing. Our own yachty dancing and the traditional dance of Malyasia. Before the awards ceremony, my worst nightmare happened. A warrior dancer in full dress pulled me on stage. When he came to pick me out of the crowd I gave him a look like there was NO way in hell he was going to get meto budge. He returned the look with a hunter like intensity that said if you don’t go up there on stage I will put this sphere (that he was waving around) right through your heart. I jumped up and out of my chair in no time. I think nothing but a look like the one he gave me, would ever get me on stage. And I’m sure people were cringing for me as I cowared awkwardly on stage preying the moments in the spotlight would go quickly (which of course they lasted an eternity!)

Contessa’s crew members did quite well. Johny and Eddie! Johny captained a boat for the government of Miri that won 3 of the races (although, unfortunately not enough to take 1st place)

And after the craziness of the Regatta, life has resumed to normal (whatever normal is!) Although, we now have a lot more friends at Miri Marina as we plug away on Contessa’s engine.
Speaking of Contessa………..

With the engine torn apart and parts needed from the states and an important family reunion and wedding fast approaching, it seemed like the perfect thing to go back to the states for the month of August. And Grandma (bless her heart!) made this happen. Here is a picture of the cousins, minus Evan and Wes at the reunion in Pennsylvania at my Grandparents home. All my cousins on the Gamble side of the family are boys! We played lots of games of MoFia, deep into the night, which never got old! And some games of spade, bocci ball, football, golf, racing, asshole ….. Gaming with the Gambles is soo much fun!

After the Reunion, I had a little time to explore the East Coast before my cousin Andrew’s wedding in New York. Dan flew out from Portland (yeah!) and we had the run of his sister’s apartment and car for a couple weeks (thank you Katie!) in Washington D.C. Dan and I had a great time exploring together. I appreciated the capital of the United States in a whole new way after being in Asia and talking to all sorts of people about the states. My general feeling was ” I love the United States!” There is a lot to criticize but you have to admit, what has been achieved is amazing.

We drove to Annapolis, the sailing capital of the United States and found a sailboat for sale. Hmmmm? We spent hours dangling our feet off the warf, wrapped up in conversation as we watched the comings and goings of boats.

On our roadtrip up to New Jersey we decided to see if we could get ahold of Jeraimeee who were traveling across the country with all their belongings from Colorado to New Jersey and then continuing on to set up shop in New York. When we called them, it turned out that our paths would cross at a random town on the map in one hour. What are the chances! So we met for a drink and since it was getting late, we decided to pitch in for a hotel room the four of us and arrive on wedding day refreshed and ready to meet everybody!

Andrew and Linda’s WEDDING!

So after the swirl of the wedding its back to Portland I go! I’m considering staying in Portland and not going back to Asia so I can get a job and work to pay school loans that I’m basically TOTALLY ignoring right now which is a constant guilt factor that weaves through every day of my life! But the first 3 days in Portland, I wake crying. I can’t live there, at least not while our Contessa mission is unfinished. I’ve got this amazing opportunity waiting for me and how can I pass it up!! So after come soul searching conversations with my mom and Dan, I decide to head back out to Asia. YEah!!! Something about Asia, traveling, sailing (!!) has left a huge imprint on me and I have a feeling it will shape the rest of my life.

Dan and I have some fun times riding on the moto and visiting friends…..and even playing soccer on our soccer team (where we first met), it was as if I never had left! Its so strange to me how you can go half way across the world and have such intense experiences and learn so much and make so many new and different friends and then come back and it seems like time has stayed still, nothing has changed. That will forever baffle me!

Have I mentioned How Beautiful Oregon is? This is the Columbia River Valley my favorite place to ride the moto.
Leaving was sad. In these weeks, Dan and I grew very close. It was hard to have to say goodbye (again!). The long distance relationship (something I’ve told myself I wouldn’t do, I must like this guy!) is hard on Dan and I especially because of all the unkowns, how long will I be gone? will I come back?

On the other hand, I was very excited for the unknown adventures that lay ahead in Asia!!

So my flight back to Asia was hours of flying. Lots and Lots of taking off and landing, something I thought I could never get enough of, but I almost can say I have had enough…at least until I am in the cockpit :-)!

Baltimore—->Portland—->LA—–>Tokyo—->Singapore—–>Kuala Lumpur ——>Kota Kinabalu——>Labaun
and then BAM, here I am on the island of Labaun my stuff in one backpack and all of Contessa’s parts in another (huge!) bag. Being invited to a beer with everyone who has arrived for the Regatta……. and its as if I never left. (not that I’ve been to this part of Malaysia yet but conversations I had been having in Miri resumed right away)

I coulnt’ for the life of me find Colin’s contact info about being crew for him during the Regatta but took the gamble that he was still in need of crew and got myself to Labuan just in the nick of time. Thank goodness I did! He could use my help. It turned out to be well worth my effort! Bam, what followed was a week of racing, learning to sail, good conversations, awards, publicity, partying and lots of food and dancing.

Here are Ana and Courtney while we are underway. They are two of the most talented girls I have met. Courtney at 14 is already quite a writer and sees the world through the perspective of potential stories. Its very interesting to read her writing and and see how she creates characters who then create social dynamics and situations…..she seems to have picked up so much about the world already! She asks in-depth questions about the roots of things going on around her so she can then add the intricate details to her story. She is quite a talented artist!

Ana and I sat down one day at my computer and I was fascinated as I leaned over her shoulder and watched her learning process as she navigated Dreamweaver. She was so quick, interested, creative and fearless about it. And yet, still in an 11 years old kind of way! (the whole website she made was about her :-)!) Its going to be very interesting to see where their life’s path leads them!

BRUNEI!

We arrived at the yacht club in Brunei and were quite excited to find out how accomodating it was. The Library was pretty impressive, Ana, Courtney and I dissapeared for awhile (good books are so enjoyable in the sailing world and sometimes hard to find!) they had a washing machine, and a breezy deck to enjoy meals on as well.
The sail trip turned out to be an unbelievable experience. We set ancor twice and took our sweet time. We caught a huge fish and Liz, (Ana’s mom) prepared some of it as sushimi with lemon and wasabi (I never thought I would love raw fish so much!) Being in Liz’s, presence was inspiring. Everything she does, she seems to do an excellent job at. A quality that is so beautiful to see and quite magnetic. Her cooking was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. Hearing about the family stories of different lands, and peoples around the world and laughing with them all into the evenings, will be something I remember forever. Ana showed me the delights of sitting on the very edge of the bow and listening to headphones! Ana’s Dad, Colin, taught me all sorts of things about sailing (some of which went over my head). But at least now I have had some exposure! In the mornings Liz and Colin were up early making coffee and listening to the radio. It was so comforting having the hustle and bustle in the morning and I realized how much I missed that part of my child hood. Once we reached Brunei, it was time to tear myself away from this great family, whom had taught me so much in so little time. They welcomed me to their home in Thailand and Colin mentioned that he may be needing crew for the Regatta coming up in a month or two……

Each Sultan has a mosque built for him. This is the mosque that was built for the 28th sultan!

Water taxi is the best way to get around the water village. There are dozens of them and its a wonder they don’t crash. Riding them is quite a thrill, especially at sunset when all the colors are illuminated and you can feel the breeze on your face and hear the imam from the mosque calling everyone to come prey.

I missed the connection with Steve, due to a misunderstanding(?) between Johny and I. Bummer! I’m kind of suspicious that Johny didn’t want the meeting to take place. Who knows! Hopefully someday I will get to meet Steve. I explored Brunei on my own for a couple days and then met up with Johny and we explored it further. What a magical place!

So our last night is quite sad. We all know that things are changing and will never be the same again. We must move out of the condo. Tony is flying back to the Philippines to get his paperwork updated and find work as crew. JerAimme are leaving for the states to set up a life in New York because Aimee is resuming classes at Ithaca College. Johny and Eddie are keeping watch over Contessa and I’m leaving early the next morning to sail with Ana’s family up north to Brunei. Steve (Contessa’s owner) is flying into Brunei and is hoping to meet with Johny and I. I am excited to meet Steve because his ownership and delivery of Contessa has enabled me to have a life changing experience and he seems to have taken so kindly to Jeremy. Ana’s family was planning a trip to Brunei at the same time. As soon as I met them, I knew I wanted to spend more time with them so I got up enough courage to ask if I could join them and was thrilled when they were incredibly warm and welcoming

Here is a picture of the Apartment complex we are living in. We usually
walk from the apartment to the boat about 3 or 4 times a day, shuffling things back and forth and getting a release from the heat!

Jeremy is cleaning the name plate for Contessa! (isn’t it coming clean nicely)
This is a symbolic picture of how much Jeremy seems to care for all that goes on with Contessa.

Tony! Who’s good mood the last few days has been key to energizing our group dynamics.

Aimee, drying off after a surprise swim. (Jeremy pushed her in!) Pushing eachother in has turned into a game that everyone quite enjoys, even though the marina water isn’t exactly the most inviting for a swim……….

Good ole’ Aimee, encouraging Jeremy to try the wierd pink fruit. Dragon fruit, it has the texture of kiwi and tastes like……………….not sure what it tastes like but its not bad!

Johny, offering a refreshing snack of…………… dragon fruit!

Yes! We got a picture of Tony cooking! He is such a great cook, we continue to be amazed. How did we get so lucky?

The very first picture after purchasing my NEW CAMERA!!!! (thank you mom for my early Birthday present!) Fin took us to town to check out a few camera stores. I found a Cannon A530 5 mega-pixel and was quite happy.

Afterwards, Fin drove on us a little “scenic Miri” drive, to test out the new camera. On top of a hill that looks over Miri is the cities First oil drill, called The Grand Old Lady, which is not in operation anymore. They’ve set up replica people to show oil was once drilled. The city of Miri earns roughly 20 million a year from their oil drilling! (mostly offshore)

Here is a picture of Grand Old Lady lookinng upwards. Its like looking at life, there are many paths but there is also just kinda a way layed out before you.

Sunset over Miri and the scene that Fin and Jeremy were looking at…….

as they discussed the future of Miri! Fin plays a large role in its development.

Here is my new best friend Anna. She is the bosom buddy I’ve always wanted. We’ve had hours of conversation paddling all around the Marina.

Johny is going scuba diving! One of his many skills that have come in to play, in getting Contessa to Thailand. We sprung some leaks in the bow, so Johny is diving under the boat with epoxy to try and patch them up.

I found that climbing the mast is a great way to get some climbing exercise, an adrenaline rush, feel the full breeze, have some time to myself, while still allowing for you to see whats going on and gain a new perspective of where you at!

Heres the view of the marina we are staying at.

“The China Man” can’t hear, so all of our conversations are hand gestures. He is telling them how to fix the starter motor. Conversations with “The China Man” have been a lot of fun. Its amazing how far you can get without words.

After a long day of navigating our way around town, finding parts for Contessa, Johny and I ran into some friends we’ve gotten to know and went out for a beer…or two!

An Asian cat, caught spying.