Sailing up to Langkawi. As some sort of special treat, we actually got a little bit of wind to get us moving for a change. This would be our last sail on this boat, as we plan to load up our few belongings, post the boat for sale, and fly off to the States, and on to Mexico. At least that’s the plan for now. For the next couple years we need to be closer to my mom so we can help her with some health struggles, and the kids are going to try the school thing out down in Mexico. Ali will take a break from the work of living and caring for a family on a small sailboat, as well as pursuing whatever else she sets her mind to, and I’ll try to whittle down my too long bucket list with some new, less logistically demanding, adventures. We already know life in Mexico suits us, so now the real test will be whether or not we can adjust to a home without wheels or sails. We’ll see. Even if we can’t, we’re always just one quick pivot away from the next thing.

Rebak Marina. The marina is on a small island that contains nothing but a resort and a marina. The docks, haulout, and workyard are great, and they run a ferry across to Langkawi hourly. We’d surprise ourselves by finding almost no reason to leave, though. While resort guest pay through the nose to stay here, the marina costs us just ~$15/day and gives us full, unfettered access to the resort and its facilities. Pool, tons of games/sports, hiking trails, beaches, restaurant, and a beach bar. On top of that, for some reason, they also give us marina people an extra 25% off all food and drink (which isn’t even overpriced to begin with). It’s actually kind of ridiculous how nice this place is for us cruisers.

We showed up just in time for Christmas, and there were plenty of kids around, too.

A Christmas family pic. I have to thank our kids here for their unquestioning acceptance of Christmas IOUs this year. When you’re in this part of the world at Christmastime, with teens, there really is very little chance of getting them the things they actually want. Add in the fact that in a few weeks everything we own will be squeezed into a few suitcases to travel halfway around the world, and IOUs are really the only reasonable gifts.

There’s an old abandoned factory on the island. The kids quickly found and explored it. Ouest brought me up there to have a look around the next day. We think maybe the island’s monkeys got hold of a can of yellow spray paint.

Some more shots from around the island.

Ali sent me off-island to gather up a few supplies from the nearest grocery store. Fruits and veg mainly. I reported back.