TRIP PLANNING BORNEO 22/06/2012

A great relief t safely arrive in miri.crossing the south china sea was our longest ocean passage yet.Looking back the first night was blowy and some swell,but then easy hydrovane sailing into wind or beam,,some motors ailing,but sailed 80%of time. Overnight slow sail till 0300'then motor,not wanting to arrive miri in dark.no fishing boats or nets or rubbish.passed some big gas platforms,all well lit.radar told us their distance.big mooring buoys around them,so gave adequate clearance.one made great sunrise photo.2nm from miri till can see buildings thru haze,and then the seahorse statue marking marina entrance channel.confirmed our berth with captain fin on phone.shallow at entrance and channel,about 2 hours till high tide.he helped us tie up.next door is veedon fleece.jon on our pier gave us a miri map and great miri/marina rundown.lovely little Maria.reminds me off rebar as surrounded by trees,with air of seclusion.shower,breakfast,ring Simon,the marina taxi,and into miri CBS,to do customs and immigration,and hire bikes.but all 20 hire bikes hired-to yachties! Mr tan will deliver 2 to marina tomorrow(10rm /week).lunch at miri cafe,walk to electrical shop,taxi back.we like miri.a few high rises.mainly 3 story concrete commercial buildings/ units in faded colors,with bright signs in Chinese and some English.few headscarves.mainly Chinese.lots od beer ads and lively restaurants- feels like another country compared to terengganu,mainland Malaysia.sundowners on our pier.nice to finally relax after our 5 day passage,have a few dRinks,and pick up more info on miri/ Borneo.had the last of the beef curry for dinner,and early to bed,with no night watches.