Day off - time for the swamp

Lankawi has a Geo Park which Graham, Judy and Ann went to, early on. So we went there as a large group on our day off, in convoy with the Voller saga car at the front, while we took up the rear.  Basically it went like this:-

You haggle for a big long narrow boat with a few hundred horses on the back, you then get in and drive around at about 30 knots through coastal mangroves, towering limestone cliffs and towers and visit various 'Temple of Doom' type places. 'Man U' had travelled far and  our boat had a Man U sticker on it - how sad is that.

First there was the tame 1 metre lizard, perched on a rock, which didn't move so maybe it was plastic ?
Then it was onto the radio controlled eagles, two varieties, Sea eagle and brown eagle.  There were lots of them and they gave up a tea break to turn up for a great display of  grabbing bits of chicken from the water- poor chicken.  Then it was onwards again to find a viper up a tree, we didn't  but we did find a 'don't touch' hairy catapillar. We sped on through this virgin jungley mangrove, avoiding other boats by carving around them and washing the base of the mangroves with our wake.
Finally we arrived at the improbable 'Crocodile Cave' it was impossible not imporbable becasue the tide was in and although our youthful driver [ the top kick boxer around these parts , tried to force a passage through but it  wouldn't go without destroying the canopy.  Then a 57 point turn and off through the mangroves to the other side to see the other side of the long open cave.
Rushing on banking the corners passing environmentally endangered species until the 'Bat Cave' appeared.  Mrs Robin was taking the entrance fees about 20p, and we wandered through the cave in the dark. We couldn't find Batman but we did find a pile of bats high up in the roof. Then it was back to the boat- did I mention the monkeys- yes there were plenty of them too.
We had been going for about an hour and a half, and the boys were sunning themselves on the bow.
Round some more bends and we passed some sorry going ocean going yachts of yesteryear which were moored and rotting away. 
Then we arrived at the 'Hole in the Wall'  fish farm, and  for the next 20 minutes we were treated to a local boy feeding  odd looking fish and less odd looking fish including Tuna and Stingrays.  The boy and Ollie fed the Stingrays by putting their hands in the Stingrays mouths and letting go of the tasty morsel of fish- all a bit fishy if you ask me, but these were tame and had their stings removed.

After the fish farm it was back on the boat again and oh did I mention Julie Vollers hat overboard-  we did go back and get it after another 57 point turn.

Finally we popped out into the open sea, the Andaman Sea no less, and toured around the coast  passing fabled lumps of  rock and then went to one last cave- yes another one this time the epic 'Cave of Legends', we landed on a sheltered beach, avoiding the nice 007  Bond style walkway and jetty and climbed the stair to the earth shattering edifice.  Actually the boys preferred jumping in off the boat which was much more fun.

Clearly time was running out on our two hour trip which was now about 3 hours long, and you've guessed it just after watching  local fishermen bringing jaws sized prawns out of their nets we started to have engine problems.  We dropped doen to a measly 10 knots and still had some miles to go.  Finally we spluttered to a complete standstill still out to sea in flat water about 1/2 a mile from our jetty. I put on a lifejacket and started to remember as much as I could about survival at sea etc but after a while rescue was at hand in the form of another boat with a convenient can of fuel.

Seriously if you are ever in these parts its a great trip, but pay extra for the Python expierence, it was on strike for more pay while we were there and a big miss.
Back a the jetty we could buy delightful plates with pictures of our faces as mementos of the trip- give that one a miss.  We did try the local love joy jungle drink- thatwe recommend!

4 Seasons in 1 Day 
We happended to notice that the 4 Seasons hotel closeby, and we couldn't resist a viewing,  it was awsome, truly awsome and  stunningly unpretentious,  every view was perfect with a manicured white sand beach, check out the website.
 I conducted surgery on Josh's foot, which had a small rock stuck in it, and we even had our own personal assistant and we were given cold towels, for our faces- maybe we weren't clean enough?
It was only about £400 a night room only, rather more for a sumptious breakfast. But you could get a good Pizza for tenner.
We took some well framed pictures then scarpered in case we were charged for breathing or the cold towels.
In convoy we drove across the island, passing paddi fields and rubber plantations, Jen and I were dropped off at the world famous 'Bon Ton' restaraunt, the Prawns [ monster prawns] wrapped in Bannana leaves and crisp white wine was something else.  Everone else went to lesser places for a very late lunch, and some form of swimming. We later heard that Arran had been parascending on the Vollers beach and survived to tell the tale

Everyone reappeared for dinner, and we have had a good chat about racing, the forcast is good- there might even be some wind, oh and the boys need to wash their underpants.

I have just had to stop Sinclair Jones trying to kill Christopher Wilford outside in the corridor.

Its late, missed lots out. Posted with errors

Oh yes Graham and Ann have gone to the IODA dinner, a sort of a 'beer fest' for adults.

More news tommorrow.

Alan