Year 2- 21 September 2025 –Marina Del Ray – Gili Gede-Lombok

It was another still morning when we woke and we enjoyed the day dawning with the activity of fishing and other boats moving around. They look like spiders with their outriggers. We had breakfast and I then contacted the marina office about 8.30am and said we would like to come in at 9.00am to moor which they said they would arrange.

They sent a dinghy out with two marina staff and one got on board. They asked for lines at the back. I thought we would be coming alongside a pontoon and we rigged the fenders etc. Once we upped the anchor and got nearer it was just one long pontoon and you moored mediterranean style with slime lines (lines attached to the seabed) which you attach to your front cleats and then stern lines so the stern of the boat is close to the pontoon. You then have additional lines from the middle cleats. We adapted quickly and we were soon attached. However, we then had to take the dinghy down so that we could use the passarelle (gangway) to get ashore. This did not take long and we were secure.

I had organised for a refrigeration expert to visit and he was already waiting to come aboard which was a pleasant surprise. I had already sent ahead pictures of the freezer plate and had explained the problem in that only a third of it was working. They set to work to look at it and I had to empty the lockers of all the spares again so they could gain access to the compressor. They diagnosed that the coolant pressure was not enough to get the plate completely cool. They worked for a few hours and fitted new pipes etc. It then started to work to my amazement. They went off to lunch leaving the temperature sensor in. It is now working well to my relief as it will make such a difference to us. It has taken several experts to try to fix it without success so it was a relief to have it fixed.

The windless (motor which pulls up and drops the anchor and chain) had been running slow and had been making funny noises. We rely on it so much and it is vital it works well. I had asked for an engineer for this and he came almost at the same time as the fridge men. The windless had not been serviced since I left the UK. He took it all part and cleaned and greased the parts. There was little oil in the gearbox and so that was refilled too. In short he got it all serviced and it now appears to be back to normal. My learning point is to get it serviced every year – even if it seems to be working.

In addition I asked whether they could fill my empty gas bottles which I had and they said they could. I would get them back tomorrow. I therefore had three successful issues resolved in a morning which was very good considering this is a small marina on a small Island.

We also cleaned the boat in and out and were able to get rid of our rubbish etc. Although the marina is small it is in a very attractive position with trees and mangroves around it. There is a saltwater swimming pool with Frangipani and Palm trees around it. There is a bar and restaurant, loos and showers and a small chandlery. There are a number of rally boats here and it has a safe and relaxed feel and a very pleasant spot.

After all the jobs were done we went for a swim in the pool as the shore is trickly here with all the boats around. We went then went for a drink in the bar whilst the sun was going down – see the picture of the day. We then had a good meal with some wine at a reasonable price which is unusual here. There was pool table so we decided to play with Janet and I on one team and Mark and Ruth on the other. After this we took on the locals and played for a few hours which was fun. It had been a successful day.

We have another day here tomorrow before we head over the Lombok Strait to go to Bali.

The picture of the day is the view of the marina from the restaurant.

Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.  I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com