Christmas in Brunei

We waited six days for NE winds to lighten enough to continue our way along the Brunei coast. Kuala Belait is built around servicing the oil industry with many vessels located here providing ferry services for personnel and support for rigs and drill platforms, etc.

Here a drill platform is being constructed.  The oil industry in Brunei is alive and very well with new reserves being discovered.

There is not really a lot to see, however, we did pay a visit to Nautica Yachts where owner John is building a massive 200-tonne wooden sailing yacht. It is very impressive and we can't help wondering if he knows something the rest of us don't!



Just on sundown one evening we saw a flock of Asian Pied Hornbills feeding in the trees along the river.  A bit far away to get a decent picture though but here is one in flight.


So, on the 22nd December we ventured once more into the swells of the South China Sea for the 45 NM leg to Jerudong. It seemed a long day as we motored sailed with a light following breeze and then into a light NE. We have been taking it easy on the engine because of the prop shaft vibration so progress is a bit slower than normal when motoring. It was a very welcome sight to see the walls of the 'marina' at Jerudong getting closer. The large manmade harbour gets used by small fishing boats and passing yachts and is a bit of a royal folly. Inside the entrance lies a small wave break island where anchorage out of the swell promises a calm and peaceful night.




About dinner time threatening clouds had crept closer and although it looked like disaster was about to strike they only dropped heavy rain down upon us with barely any wind.







Sunday we were off early on the relatively short 25 NM leg to Serasa in Brunei Bay. A very light breeze and the seas had dropped slightly; we were anchored off the Brunei Bay Yacht Club about lunchtime. RBYC is very welcoming to visiting yachts and for a small daily fee we can use their jetty, swimming pool, restaurant, showers, washing machine, etc. During the afternoon we had heavy rain come through so it was Christmas Eve before we went ashore and organised our membership, checked in with the authorities, did grocery shopping and bought fuel (B$0.31). We also made a booking to have Christmas lunch at the club the following day.

 

Christmas lunch was a feast and we were lucky enough to be invited to share a table with some locals (mostly expats) along with another cruising couple. Although in a strict Muslim country, the club allows patrons to bring their own alcohol.











Miniature deep-fried ice-cream 'Christmas pudding'.


The winds appear to be lightening off again so we hope to depart for Labuan in a day or two.

Position: 5º 001 N, 115º 06 E.