Visa expiry time was fast approaching - it was almost 90 days since arriving back in Malaysia from Laos in late July. Not a problem: we would sail down to Brunei, check in there and then check out and sail back to Kota Kinabalu via Labuan. It would be less than 100 nautical miles and we would break the leg by stopping off at Pulau Tiga. However, by the time we were near Tiga, we discovered that an electrical problem was actually a battery problem. Two of our six 6-volt batteries were overheating and in fact one was sizzling!! We 
decided to press on and go straight to Labuan despite our expired visas. We arrived in Labuan just on sunset on Friday night and tied up at the new and breaking down marina off the Waterfront Hotel. The marina is a disgrace to Malaysian know-how or not-know-how. A lot of money has been spent on a well-built perimeter wall but the entrance allows too much swell inside and the floating docks are breaking up making up for a very nerve-wracking stay.
decided to press on and go straight to Labuan despite our expired visas. We arrived in Labuan just on sunset on Friday night and tied up at the new and breaking down marina off the Waterfront Hotel. The marina is a disgrace to Malaysian know-how or not-know-how. A lot of money has been spent on a well-built perimeter wall but the entrance allows too much swell inside and the floating docks are breaking up making up for a very nerve-wracking stay.This 'island' dock at the entrance to the marina seems to serve no purpose and is already broken
The next day, Saturday, we decided the easiest option for renewing our visas was to catch the one-hour fast ferry to Brunei, about 20 nautical miles away. That was easy and we were soon in Brunei and through immigration and off to the ticket counter to get a return ticket to Labuan. It was a Saturday afternoon, Halloween, and apparently there was to be a beach party on Labuan to celebrate (Brunei is strictly Muslim and no alcohol at all is sold, while Labuan is a duty free territory and has lots of alcohol for sale). Would we get a ticket? We came with virtually nothing for an overnight stay but after a stressful hour we were finally given the nod and a ticket to board. In the end everyone was given a ticket but not all were lucky enough to have a seat!! At least it was not too overcrowded and it was only an hour.
That was sorted, the batteries were sorted - we would have some sent up from Kuching and pick them up in KK in a couple of weeks. We left following a very windy night and a very high tide with the floating docks flapping on the surge. Never so glad to leave a 'marina'. We sailed 38 nautical miles to Pulau Tiga where we dropped the anchor in lovely clear water in a 
small, wide bay. Absolute bliss!! Next morning we put the dinghy in and went ashore to seek out one of the mud volcanoes that Tiga is renowned for. It was a short walk through the jungle and we arrived at the mud hole. The sign said it was four feet deep so Jon decided to brave it and had a bath in the mud. Pam had to hold the camera and as there were monkeys nearby it was not safe to put anything on the ground!!
small, wide bay. Absolute bliss!! Next morning we put the dinghy in and went ashore to seek out one of the mud volcanoes that Tiga is renowned for. It was a short walk through the jungle and we arrived at the mud hole. The sign said it was four feet deep so Jon decided to brave it and had a bath in the mud. Pam had to hold the camera and as there were monkeys nearby it was not safe to put anything on the ground!!