tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18699347455325472632023-11-16T02:45:24.966-08:00Log of the Katie LeeLarry and Trinda have been sailing the Pacific and SE Asia in their Passport 45 ketch, the Katie Lee for 19 years.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.comBlogger462125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-81100108982963373702020-04-18T15:18:00.000-07:002020-04-18T15:18:24.310-07:00We Sold the BoatI'm a little late posting this, but Nov. 2019 :<br />
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We SOLD the Katie Lee!<br />
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She is still in Houbihu Marina, Taiwan where the new owner plans to leave her for a while.<br />
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He also likes the name and plans to keep it named the Katie Lee.<br />
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I bought an old school bus and am converting it to an RV. We seem to be calling it "Da Boat". See the link above.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-11915742850033156372019-07-01T05:19:00.000-07:002019-07-01T05:19:15.369-07:00Tinypilot Installed and WorkingSean's Tinypilot is installed and steered from Okinawa, Japan to Southern Taiwan. I had a number of issues wit the rest of my navigation setup, but the tinypilot steered all the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDRFH4T4Dk7qem_i2okNhZb7N0E9yIpD1-cFdKFKobj8i231-dB69RXQwYgXeHHpNFUnZeQ9fI_Zy7ugxE6q3VEkG6amzrvWoYmRI14XaDgSVpSxHNcH5_gT0KyYDYyrmUP2DgyeCODti/s1600/IMG_20190610_171140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDRFH4T4Dk7qem_i2okNhZb7N0E9yIpD1-cFdKFKobj8i231-dB69RXQwYgXeHHpNFUnZeQ9fI_Zy7ugxE6q3VEkG6amzrvWoYmRI14XaDgSVpSxHNcH5_gT0KyYDYyrmUP2DgyeCODti/s640/IMG_20190610_171140.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new Octopus hydraulic steering pump</td></tr>
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I mounted the steering pump on the aft bulhead of the engine room below the water-lift muffler. There was a by-pass valve above. I replaced it with the new hoses. The 3rd hose is the vent and runs up to the wheel steering pump in the binnacle. The power wires run to a 30 Amp fuse on the forward bulkhead of the engine room. The control wires run through the bulkhead to the motor controller on the other side, in the dry, clean area.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean's large motor controller</td></tr>
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The large motor controller mounted on the outside of the aft bulkhead of the engine room where there is little chance of getting splashed with salt water or worse. On the bottom are the 12volt power wires coming in and the 2 wires to the motor. On the top the serial control cable up to the tinypilot in the cockpit. I had to extend the serial line to about 6 meters. The other wire is the home-brew rudder position sensor under the aft berth next to the rudder post.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rudder position indicator before installation</td></tr>
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The rudder position indicator is just a precision potentiometer tied to the rudder post. The pot is wired as a voltage divider across 5 volts giving an output ranging from 0.1 to 1.1v a 10k pot is probably best. My 5k pot needed resistors added to each side to get the range set.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwDU8K_YUlS1bNqxcVauwRZn2KtBnivIZprcDOl54QfRG74mcFtp45Niw5SrRc4i9PhxsoKl1TO5bCHagnyPI0z4RtryAEylwc0eNTvi35bUKnyo_W9McAnQsXX7FyQUy9-1-7ekI_1Yn/s1600/IMG_20190625_162253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwDU8K_YUlS1bNqxcVauwRZn2KtBnivIZprcDOl54QfRG74mcFtp45Niw5SrRc4i9PhxsoKl1TO5bCHagnyPI0z4RtryAEylwc0eNTvi35bUKnyo_W9McAnQsXX7FyQUy9-1-7ekI_1Yn/s640/IMG_20190625_162253.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keyboard and mouse for OpenCPN and Tinypilot</td></tr>
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The tinypilot is double sticky taped in position on the front of the dodger. The serial cable and a USB power supply. I intend to add wire clips screwed to the hatch frame, but haven't finished yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3AJYnN_Pw-cLx1ZOy3rkpZh8wbWf28iPhvdNYF_0LRw1mGbZ9tZLewv0SrsvtRJ8cUPBap8QcRxceklaMpHMq0-NP59eaSRsd1e-_R5joIoAuZU23TuyjLPcICHTfFXNYzSO3Jxu5vsI/s1600/IMG_20190625_162244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3AJYnN_Pw-cLx1ZOy3rkpZh8wbWf28iPhvdNYF_0LRw1mGbZ9tZLewv0SrsvtRJ8cUPBap8QcRxceklaMpHMq0-NP59eaSRsd1e-_R5joIoAuZU23TuyjLPcICHTfFXNYzSO3Jxu5vsI/s640/IMG_20190625_162244.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tinypilot and it's remote</td></tr>
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A closer view of the tinypilot display and the Raspberry Pi Zero W under neath. It is currently running in the Access Point (AP) mode. So it needs to listen for UDP broadcast packets and forward the GPS and AIS data to the opencpn computer mounted above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxmveMr_4XFTD7X5ujltbK4gdi_RNXIZSEnQ5d5Jr-KAkfgBjXqNo6FTv4ekM6ryKg5pmq_IpMvm6NBLLrJwItwMBNsD54p_orLUgMDZG0DeU1UYx-zTevi1UOUzIsPsryXAnaIBn6SjJ/s1600/IMG_20190625_162309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxmveMr_4XFTD7X5ujltbK4gdi_RNXIZSEnQ5d5Jr-KAkfgBjXqNo6FTv4ekM6ryKg5pmq_IpMvm6NBLLrJwItwMBNsD54p_orLUgMDZG0DeU1UYx-zTevi1UOUzIsPsryXAnaIBn6SjJ/s640/IMG_20190625_162309.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opencpn and my Garmin 152H GPS</td></tr>
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Opencpn and my Garmin 152H GPS are mounted at the top of the dodger enclosure. I thought they would be safe from wave splashes there. They are, but they white paint reflects a lot of light making them difficult to read in the daytime.<br />
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Normally opencn runs on an Orange Pi PC 2, an H5 cpu quad core 64bit ARM chip. But it's SD card memory is failing so I have backup Orange Pi PC Plus, (32bit) and also a Raspberry Pi 3B+ that is new.<br />
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In the past I've only run opencpn standalone. But with the Tinypilot I am trying openplotter on the RPI, but I don't have an evaluation of it yet.<br />
<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-16788860336675522942019-06-10T04:08:00.000-07:002019-06-10T04:08:44.208-07:00We have put the boat up for sale. 19 years of a pretend autopilot, and just now I have ordered parts for a real autopilot! Why did I wait so long?
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We have hydraulic steering, which made it difficult to choose a servo-pendulum wind vane for steering, but we did choose a Cape Horn. I put a small tiller pilot on the wind sensor for the Cape Horn and let it be the autopilot. It worked ok for most wind conditions across the Pacific, but that was mostly downwind. It does not steer well if the wind is forward of the beam. Also the little tiller pilots only lasted about 15,000 miles each. That means the current one (the third) is due for failure any time now. Also it was very difficult to set and to disengage. Trinda couldn't manage it. One had to get on course, steer straight then tighten 2 ropes to the wind vane, and pull a cable like a manual choke that disengages the wheel, then activate the tiller pilot.<br />
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Therefore, I ordered an electric hydraulic steering pump from the the folks that manufacture most of the pumps for the brands of commercial autopilots. It is the Octopus 2.0 liter/minute 12volt pump.And a few other parts for the boat, like shackles and T-bolts, zincs and a new Mic for the radio.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArA3VW1389A5avyPHfouovo6H9AtzpgkEL2kOh9mZxJ06suHhP9t6Fg36OLZR1JGd7UBE_2AfWr-gFtN1-Lvtem5KvrVJ4-iHVvYCl085hZPpddzysHDVoXiOsnZvqWPK7yrTwR7dRGzi/s1600/IMG_20190608_115241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArA3VW1389A5avyPHfouovo6H9AtzpgkEL2kOh9mZxJ06suHhP9t6Fg36OLZR1JGd7UBE_2AfWr-gFtN1-Lvtem5KvrVJ4-iHVvYCl085hZPpddzysHDVoXiOsnZvqWPK7yrTwR7dRGzi/s640/IMG_20190608_115241.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I ordered a new, custom autopilot control system from <a href="https://pypilot.org/">https://pypilot.org</a>. It has 2 major components, a course computer and a motor controller. The course computer is based on the small ARM computer boards that I have been playing with recently. It has a totally electronic 9-axis inertia motion sensor instead of the old flux-gate type of electronic compass that were so picky about placement. It can be easily integrated with opencpn, my favorite choice for navigation software.<br />
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A big reason for choosing pypilot is, since the boat is for sale and most new owners are very choosy about the brand of instruments, pypilot gets me equal or better features, possibilities for enhancement and does not make the choice of integrated system vendor for any potential buyer. It was also very inexpensive compared to the brand name stuff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUihzRTmW3QAUefgnzE2aLkniGyN4_ntds7dOE8NM871dphqlcVx4wdOE6BBhvGYUOXCbZEh6qSoFqmQHJSNvIJDmzh7biVVNDPedjkGpb1wuKzC5oHtT7u3kQgQIocDFryDZVlND5DAA0/s1600/IMG_20190606_171940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUihzRTmW3QAUefgnzE2aLkniGyN4_ntds7dOE8NM871dphqlcVx4wdOE6BBhvGYUOXCbZEh6qSoFqmQHJSNvIJDmzh7biVVNDPedjkGpb1wuKzC5oHtT7u3kQgQIocDFryDZVlND5DAA0/s640/IMG_20190606_171940.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large motor controller</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIC3HopsWKs8_8ZI26dAHPxqD_gLcL0nquIQuf8fz1-VaajUl2vS3cELTiHKEN5FiWooA3YlZsq3nLsKqq3bNJujBgDDPuGmF0u27atMUNXDgf2Z7qjJbpOripBCLRAnsEfoucocUNobD/s1600/IMG_20190606_172352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIC3HopsWKs8_8ZI26dAHPxqD_gLcL0nquIQuf8fz1-VaajUl2vS3cELTiHKEN5FiWooA3YlZsq3nLsKqq3bNJujBgDDPuGmF0u27atMUNXDgf2Z7qjJbpOripBCLRAnsEfoucocUNobD/s640/IMG_20190606_172352.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Course computer consists of keypad,remote, display and IMU and Raspberry Pi Zero W</td></tr>
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The pump is heavy duty and draws 6 to 8 amps normally but as much as 22 under stress. That meant I must use the large motor controller from pypilot. <br />
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The small motor controller is good for up to 3 amps. Several folks are
using an old car windshield wiper motor with it's reduction gear to make
their own wheel pilots and tiller pilots. If I can find such a motor I
may try for a wheel pilot also. It might use less power when sailing in
nice conditions.
The small motor controller is in a case like the course computer will be in, only 1.5x2x3 inches.<br />
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The next problem was finding a hydraulic supply for the hoses and connectors to install the pump. Having no Japanese didn't help, but I did find one, "Only a 20 minute walk.", says Google maps! They must be young kids!<br />
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I did get it installed. The course computer needs to know the position of the rudder to keep from trying to turn past the stops and to adjust for currents and in general. I made a custom rudder position indicator from a precision potentiometer.<br />
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I hope to give more progress reports as I finish.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-72477926704214285232019-05-23T06:19:00.000-07:002019-09-28T17:33:58.116-07:00We are getting old!<center> <font size="+4">
Sold !</font></center>
<center> <font size="+2">
<a href="http://katielee.tcls.com/"><s>The Katie Lee is for sale!</s></a><br />
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http://katielee.tcls.com/
</font></center>Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-24807408907761367022019-05-15T21:01:00.000-07:002019-05-15T21:01:33.429-07:00Miyakojima VisitIt was a short visit in miyMiyakoj. We really only stopped because of the weather. And the only picture I took is not that much, no view.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju31X6NAFNy4tld0aNPJKaaVUPmT3xiRVJLXHMkEu_p-Mg4C-8GTWWRzFF70MoXAxzMedouKTmQI-lAVgC9Rae0-Hf_o2tGqgyFGcz9aL6LbPqsL_hANBBqmW8MlSdQBAT8XvKeI5m2w3F/s1600/IMG_20190511_144552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju31X6NAFNy4tld0aNPJKaaVUPmT3xiRVJLXHMkEu_p-Mg4C-8GTWWRzFF70MoXAxzMedouKTmQI-lAVgC9Rae0-Hf_o2tGqgyFGcz9aL6LbPqsL_hANBBqmW8MlSdQBAT8XvKeI5m2w3F/s400/IMG_20190511_144552.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me returning with the laundry</td></tr>
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We did have a good time. We met a very helpful Mr. Tomari who is chairman of the miyako Yacht Club. He helped us tie up, let me use his washing machine to catch up and laundry and gave us a ride to town. He even threw a BBQ on hisbohis for us. Trinda has had the flu the whole time here so didn't go. Salad, grilled steak, chicken legs and onions. Very nice.<br />
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The yacht club dock is over 2 miles from town with no transportation except taxis. We tried to get a taxi to the store but a cruise ship came in and reserved all the taxis for the whole day.<br />
<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-57592692370472223782019-05-14T20:22:00.000-07:002019-05-14T20:22:55.053-07:00Sailed to IshigakiAfter only 2 years we left Taiwan for Japan. We planned to leave at 7am, but ....<br />
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I had started the engine the day before and let it run for 30 minutes to be sure all was ok. But this morning I got no cooling water out of the back! Back to the dock. I thought it might be the impeller in the raw water pump so I took it out to check. About 30 minutes and equivalent bloody scratches and cuts! No problem found. Ok must be the intake hose or through hull valve.<br />
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I took off the hose and blew through it. Yes, I was rewarded with a face of cold salt water. I put the hose back to the sea strainer and we took off. Made it to the next dock before it over heated again. Down to look in the engine room. More water in my face. I had not tightened the radiator hose enough. It had slipped off. Easy fix, just put it back and refill the radiator.<br />
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Off to catch up with Heinz who had been sailing in circles waiting for us.<br />
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Sailing was great the first 8 hours or so. 7.5 to 8 knots by the GPS. We had found the north bound current and a nice breeze on the beam.<br />
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But then the wind shifted, the waves got bigger and the current changed. Very slow, uncomfortable trip, hand steering cause the autopilot didn't like the wind angle and bouncing off the walls from the waves.<br />
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The engine kept over heating at much above an idle but we made it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side tied to Heinz in Ishigaki</td></tr>
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I had missed a little when I was putting the engine back together in Taiwan. I used a silicone liquid gasket for the heat exchanger/exhaust manifold and didn't get it on one side enough. It leaked exhaust gas pressure into the radiator. Be so an easy enough fix. I pulled off the flange, cleaned it and re-did it again. Works fine again.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-85977168471490558822019-04-05T04:15:00.000-07:002019-04-05T04:16:13.218-07:00Eating Out in TaiwanThe last few days we have been eating out to much. First at a friend's steak and pizza place, Doju's a couple nights in a row. They are nice kids, Way and Emilie. And several of our friends/acquaintances go there too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUVM5AnUS143F2xMY02TloYaFxpRGLAKEEplrD6AzJnCaKkGvE8uVsiSj8mt6RFjBTLuh1YG4v3T_PLNbzaCI8aQUu8IKjXsm9hhvFnxzdWAD1w7aLmnLC7Rmps3mTYO1b4dWNU0a6P1B/s1600/IMG_20190404_201749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUVM5AnUS143F2xMY02TloYaFxpRGLAKEEplrD6AzJnCaKkGvE8uVsiSj8mt6RFjBTLuh1YG4v3T_PLNbzaCI8aQUu8IKjXsm9hhvFnxzdWAD1w7aLmnLC7Rmps3mTYO1b4dWNU0a6P1B/s640/IMG_20190404_201749.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak and salad</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Then today we went back to the Rock Garden Campground. We had been there several times last year. Nathan makes some nice pizza. Trinda has a J-Boo pizza. Sausage, pepperoni, bacon and ham with lots of cheese. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Because this is a 4-day weekend they have live bands playing most of the nights. Most of the younger people either rent tents or bring their own and spend the weekend eating, drinking beer and listening to the music. Lots of them also play some instrument. </span><br />
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Also a guy from up island, Hualien, Tw, brings pulled pork and smoked brisket. We got one each to go, as we are too old to sleep on the ground in a tent. We plan to eat them back home on the boat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BBQ Brisket on the left and Pulled Pork on the right</td></tr>
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On the way back I stopped to take a few pictures of the valley and some dragon fruit plants. They look a lot like cactus.<br />
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<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-73592592885430914722019-01-12T02:28:00.000-08:002019-01-12T02:28:09.182-08:00Katie Lee Gets New BatteriesThe house bank of batteries that we bought in the Philippines is failing, so we ordered new 6 volt deep cycle lead acid batteries.<br />
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I have not had good luck with batteries. I thought they are supposed to last 5 or 6 years. But I keep having accidents with them. Except this last set. The first one to fail had a shorted cell at only 6 months. A one year warranty replaced it, but then we left the Philippines. No warranty out of the country. At about 14 months 2 more have a shorted cell. Using just using 6 out of the 8 for the past year. Now 2 more have a shorted cell. No accident on this set, they are not good batteries.<br />
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Looking back through the log book this is what I found about buying batteries:<br />
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<dl>
<dt>May 5, 2006 - ?brand X? - San Carlos, Mx (Tucson, Az) - $65 ea</dt>
<dd>over discharged several times </dd>
<dt>Feb 1, 2008 - ?brand X? - Kona, Hawaii - ?? (Had a green label I think)</dt>
<dd>charger/inverter problems - charged at too high current to much</dd>
<dt>
??? - US Battery US2200 - (this is what I took out in Johor Bahru)</dt>
<dd>forgot to fill water as I had stopped using water recovery caps</dd>
<dt>Mar 5, 2013 - US Battery US2200 - Johor Bahru, My - RM480 ea. -$120 ea</dt>
<dd>left boat and caretaker put in wrong water </dd>
<dt>
Oct 10, 2016 - Motorlite Golfmaster - Danao, Ph -$100 ea</dt>
<dd>just defective </dd>
<dt>
Dec 29, 2018 - US Battery US2200 - Hengchun, Tw - NT5468 - $181 ea</dt>
<dd>I hope they last longer</dd>
</dl>
My battery boxes are under the salon settees, 4 on each side to distribute the weight evenly. After all they weigh around 65 pounds each. Moving 8 batteries out and 8 more in is just less than a 1000 pounds for this old tired body. I haven't got them all up to the edge of the dock yet!<br />
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The old batteries in the boxes: Port and Starboard<br />
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New
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Installed:<br />
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2eNP46hxKOWWOw5FMaZrJeqfOaEEBcvUsPpvA4O8MH9vIl6-dCz33yU5m0LSKNaiRGnmJYogA6ESZNoZF2ezCiH__IVNx_vGoKMpoXMpEl4CNFtAOxWnJ5Ebz7Onu-A5SCZ14fcw63I7/s1600/bank2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2eNP46hxKOWWOw5FMaZrJeqfOaEEBcvUsPpvA4O8MH9vIl6-dCz33yU5m0LSKNaiRGnmJYogA6ESZNoZF2ezCiH__IVNx_vGoKMpoXMpEl4CNFtAOxWnJ5Ebz7Onu-A5SCZ14fcw63I7/s400/bank2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNlLVXS3Vq40k_B2TAkc29vwsYEqkFW-owf_DjiPtsrv2Npu9tyI0j1nFAOUZhDLw9lBmVkgAZEJKLZ1IecKnYDAfBCsfCavXy5Z4tRpnpVEkOaC-IbryALVkPWub5TjQkXqNv6zqHAQi/s1600/bank1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNlLVXS3Vq40k_B2TAkc29vwsYEqkFW-owf_DjiPtsrv2Npu9tyI0j1nFAOUZhDLw9lBmVkgAZEJKLZ1IecKnYDAfBCsfCavXy5Z4tRpnpVEkOaC-IbryALVkPWub5TjQkXqNv6zqHAQi/s400/bank1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Settee</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starboard Settee</td></tr>
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After a week they are doing well.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-70558559938774915642018-04-20T03:31:00.000-07:002018-04-20T03:33:43.028-07:00Hardware Stores in TaiwanA friend asked me what hardware stores look like here. So I thought I'd post a couple of pictures of them. First, here is the plumbing store where I bought the kitchen and bathroom fixtures. It is a small shop but it has most of the things necessary. They did have to order the kitchen one, but it only took a couple days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39RNV2golV8sicaEiaxbOoAFU4D9VejqTV1lystZosXpCcsJLxc-JVaZyEsqLNsKbj2hAp8U1jtygV6fjuC2gR-TY4MuPQbGuZ48I39S-1olYzrTqFC_JvXceWtv4wlQtnQ1lGwww8XKH/s1600/IMG_20180420_131355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39RNV2golV8sicaEiaxbOoAFU4D9VejqTV1lystZosXpCcsJLxc-JVaZyEsqLNsKbj2hAp8U1jtygV6fjuC2gR-TY4MuPQbGuZ48I39S-1olYzrTqFC_JvXceWtv4wlQtnQ1lGwww8XKH/s640/IMG_20180420_131355.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hengchun Plumbing Store</td></tr>
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Next are two shots of the hardware that has tools, bolts, hose, some paint, etc. They are very typical of SE Asian Chinese stores. They all spill out on the sidewalk in front. They are narrow, as if store front was taxed by the width but very deep. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hengchun Hardware Store outside</td></tr>
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There actually is a second isle to the left, but only accessible by the owner and he is thin!What appears to be the back end of the isle is only the first segment. There are 3 or 4 more parts of the store going way back. Big bolts, rope and plastic hose are in the next segment and cement, fencing, etc. next. I haven't been all the way to the back. You can just see the owner leaning back into the isle just before the aluminum ladder.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one isle</td></tr>
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I bought a pair of medium channel lock pliers today for about $9 USD, so no great price break on good tools. I don't remember any other prices, but cheap China stuff is cheap, but USA/Australian is not.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-25610559981703037792018-04-14T01:31:00.000-07:002018-04-14T01:31:56.397-07:00A little boat maintenance, facuits Just finished installing a new fixture for the shower. Of course it's for a boat so I had to create it from stainless plumbing parts.
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New kitchen faucet installed and ready to go. Even hot water in the hot side! Only 12 years to get it. (Reminds me of Snuffy Smith.) But we didn't have a hot water heater most of that time. I left the tap on the right cause it's filtered water.<br />
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Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-68196799831932557022017-06-15T22:07:00.000-07:002017-12-25T22:09:16.898-08:00We went to TaiwanI should do a real post, but we are in Taiwan now. Having fun and eating!Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-68203619562879088902016-10-11T21:05:00.001-07:002016-10-11T21:05:37.117-07:00Not My DogWhen we arrived here there were new puppies from a yard dog. Trinda and son=me of the other girls started feeding and messing with them. Pepe took one home to his house fior a guard dog. Another cruiser took this one down to the vet for neutering and shots. But no one claims the black dog.<br />
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He is friendly and nice, loves attention and has even learned a few tricks. Hi-five is the worker boys favoriet trick with him. They normally completely ignore dogs, but since we domesticated this one they all like him. BUT me!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackie - alias: Not My Dog</td></tr>
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We are back to painting again. Maybe the last coat of primer before the glossy white and non-skid on the deck.<br />
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Every coat of paint or varnish has come with the muddy foot prints of a certain black dog, Blackie, also known as "Not my dog!". He is sure Trinda is going to feed him as soon as the paint compressor stops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The not so dog proof barrier.</td></tr>
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At first just the lower of the Styrofoam blocks was enough to deter him a while. But he soon learned to wiggle underneath. A bungee tied across the top stopped that. Just to be replaced by carefully jumping over and landing on the narrow catwalk to the boat.<br />
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The first iteration of the double Styrofoam only lasted till the tide went out. The end of the catwalk came up and pushed the stack over.<br />
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Today the stack is well tied and with a bungee too. But a little rain, thunder and lightning, I don't have high hopes for a clean deck in the morning for the first coat of finish paint.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-90182209313892072962016-10-10T06:48:00.000-07:002016-10-10T06:48:15.556-07:00Bike Accident in PhilippinesMotorcycle trip to town (Cebu, 35km away) today. Greg noticed his front tire needed air, so we drove kinda on the shoulder at about 40 kph. Instead of our usual 60kph, dodging tricycles and jeepney/minivans.<br />
<br />We got about 11 kilometers away. Greg noticed a gas station on the left so slowed to make a left turn into it. A couple on small bike had deciced we were too slow so was in the process of passing me (over-taking they say) and didn't notice Greg slowing to turn. He had his signal on and slowed enough to put a foot down when they hit his rear tire and lost control. Crash! Including faceplant and really messed up little finger. No helmet, shoes, gloves, long pants, jackets or brains, or even attention. He was talking to his wife/other on the back when he hit Greg's tire. He first thought about passing in the on-coming traffic lane, then changed his mind to go behind him. Indecision is a bitch. The highways are full of flat squirrels!<br /><br />Greg pulled on into the station, I pulled on to the right side a while then into the station too. The other guy sat in the street crying and his wife hugging him and crying too till the police and the ambulance came. He did have road rash around his eye, arm and his little finger looked bad. His bike was not very damaged, only cosmetic and the mirror. After a while more telling their story in filipino, they were off in the ambulance to see about his hang nail.<br /><br />The police asked Greg to follow them to the station in Compestella. I followed too. They took a statement and the said to wait. The chief sat with his phone and dual ear-phones on the whole time, only taking them out to talk to another officer in Filipino occasionally. Sometimes talking to us and sometimes to the mic on the headset. He did come out and inspect the bikes and asked how it happened. He pointed out the scuff mark on Greg's rear finder as the only place the other bike had hit. From behind. We talked about the lack of training and following of traffic rules here some.<br /><br />After an hour or so I got tried and asked if there was something I could do. "No, go on." was all I got. So I went on to town and did the shopping Greg and I had planned. He was released, without drivers license a couple hours later.<br /><br />I went ahead and shopped for both of us and then started home. After I passed Compestella, two of the first officers, on a bike started to pass and recognized me. I stopped and waved them over to ask about Greg. But they asked first about his phone number. Seems they neglected to get it. Then they asked me to call him and request he return to the station for the investigation, as the 'victim' had been released from the hospital and was at the police office.<br /><br />I headed on toward home, but when I saw Greg, he asked if I would come back to the police office, as a witness for his side. I had Big Mac's for friends (that haven't learned that McDonald's will make you fat) getting cold, but I turned around and went back with Greg.<br /><br />The other guy, the 'victim', had brought his English speaking daughter who pretended to know all about the accident. The chief told her several times to stop talking and sit, as she wasn't a witness. The victim did a good act of drugged and in pain. I noticed the officer also had a large scar on his forehead from a past accident, most likely on a bike.<br /><br />He drew chalk marks on his desk describing the hyway. Then produced two toy cars and two motorcycles and asked each of us to show the accident. Of course Greg and I had one version, but they had a different one. Their's did not match the damage to the bikes though. After an hour of this we went outside, positioned the bikes in the parking lot and went through it again. It was obvious the chief favored Greg's story. Back inside he lectured the victim about how one is supposed to make a left turn across the traffic and what the vehicles behind are supposed to do, about 10 times. His wife still didn't get it.<br /><br />Finally he got out the drivers licenses and pushed them across the desk. Then he asked about the hospital costs. They said more than 10,000 pesos, but couldn't produce a receipt. He finally suggested Greg offer 4000P even though he was not at fault. Greg agreed. But he only had 3000. Young daughter piped up with "His friend should loan the rest."<br /><br />I said "Hell no! You follow too close, don't wear the required helmet, shoes, etc don't pay attention and rear-end someone, get hurt, YOU are liable for the damages!" The chief told me to loan Greg the money. OK. We left.<br /><br />All finished, no future obligations, the officers remember my name... Probably a good thing.<br /><br />The foreigner has money and will always pay, even when right. Just less than $100 USD, and no damage to the bike, but ruined a shopping day in the big city. I have been wishing for a dash cam. It would have come in handy today, if I had looked the right direction at the right time. But it might have shown how quickly Greg changed his mind about turning left at the station too.<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-49780454394322851202016-10-01T03:36:00.000-07:002016-10-01T07:58:10.126-07:00Update on the New StoveI never did post a picture of the finish installed new stove. We have used it a lot and obviously have gotten it dirty already.
The gimbal seems to work OK. There is not much room for it though. We'll have to wait till we are sailing to find out for sure.<br />
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The thermostat for the oven works good. But the painted on temperature settings have rubbed off already. Thats OK though, cause they were in Centigrade and didn't help that much. I have bought a digital thermometer for it, but haven't had time to install it yet.<br />
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The white cord going up the back is for a 12volt to 220volt inverter to run the oven light, rotisserie motor and the spark igniter for the burners.<br />
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The stainless bar across in front of the knobs is there to keep you from falling onto the stove when the boat rocks. The companion way steps behind give a convenient rest on the opposite side. It makes the kitchen a cozy one person affair.<br />
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When we lowered the shelf below the stove to let it sit at counter level it made it pretty low. Trinda decided it needed to be a pullout drawer so she could reach it.. $20 materials and a week and a half for two guys makes a $150 drawer. But it is white inside so you can see the pots. Ha ha ha. And it rolls out nice. It really didn't need to be 1/2" fiberglass to hold those little pots.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-34921355436964507322016-08-01T07:15:00.000-07:002016-10-01T08:00:23.001-07:00Trinda's BirthdayWe had dinner out for Trinda's birthday. The banner was quite a surprise. She wanted crispy pata, which is a local specialty. It is a pork leg, boiled till tender. Then deep fried till the skin is crispy. It is actually pretty good.<br />
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Of course she blew out the candles on he cake. Not like they were all there....
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We made a "Key Lime Pie" but with a recipe adapted for the local limes, called calamanse. They are smaller than key limes and maybe a little sweeter. It took more than 40 to get the required 1/2 cup of juice. But it was well worth it!
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<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-40198897046005216572016-02-26T19:48:00.002-08:002016-02-26T19:48:52.621-08:00New Hard Dodger for the Katie LeeWe are making progress I guess. The new dodger is taking shape. I hope it is not too big. We wanted more shade and protection form the rain.
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Oh, ignore the dates, the camera is confused and I can't fix it. This is still 2016!<br />
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You may also notice the hull is not so dark green as before. Not to worry, this awful color is only primer. However we have not picked the final color, or even the scheme. We both want to stick with a green, but light pastel or medium bright green are the extremes. I plan to paint the trim teak with an epoxy paint a contrasting color. Thinking about a deep maroon which reminds me of the teak, or a dark forest green. Still taking suggestions about the space on the side above the rub rail that used to be teak. Should it be darker, lighter or the same color as the rest? The deck and cabin-top will remain bright white as before.
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<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-76309771588644308662016-01-31T03:36:00.001-08:002016-10-01T07:26:43.776-07:00A New RangeI'm sure you all have heard us grip about the stove. I broke the oven thermostat so it is very difficult to set a temperature. And the burner caps have rusted away so the flame doesn't come out right. Also the thermocouple for the small burner quit so it will not stay lit. Not to mention it is a little dirty. Was a Force10, new in 1998, burners obsolete in 2001. An it wouldn't cook a cake or bread without a couple fire bricks in the oven to stabilize the temp.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1998 Force 10</td></tr>
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I searched everywhere and finally chose this one. An Ariston apartment model. Very few stoves this size have the safety thermocouple for each top burner. We have to have it for the boat because the wind often blows out the fire. And we don't want to explode....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXOK9aX6shnDiLrfHd4qCAsHHbN5G7VjnUACk5pqX-GysHaTlPGOqMXK7Jyu95u5nup3-tA6znUp9nWL4AoIdx-X1NTZrM7gYTclA8Kk6NfOxQ8ILs5VogZDHcNPtFYTa14nSbXhiInee/s1600/stove1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXOK9aX6shnDiLrfHd4qCAsHHbN5G7VjnUACk5pqX-GysHaTlPGOqMXK7Jyu95u5nup3-tA6znUp9nWL4AoIdx-X1NTZrM7gYTclA8Kk6NfOxQ8ILs5VogZDHcNPtFYTa14nSbXhiInee/s640/stove1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the show room floor</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear view</td></tr>
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It does have one minor problem though, it is about 8 inches too tall! The width and depth are just fine. That fancy glass top/cover will not fit either. The electric cord coming out the back is for the spark lighter, oven light and rotisserie. BUT it is for 220volts... Well I'll figure something out. Rotisseries are just a clever way to burn grease all over the oven!<br />
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The drawer below is for storing extra pots and pans, don't need that. Tin snips should take care if the height issue.<br />
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The two stoves have been sitting on the settee for the past week. When I cut the bottom drawer off, the stove was still 3 inches too tall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXnbrxqAQPdQDte-XxkHhL_anWs5sSstNeW-uKnF_pit13a6n58B8kFIGqxw0a_FTPP0-0foqWjjaqjRIUILbr2vXLdDKL4Ld88bOS5YjJRPRHjXYY9TI0Lq1BsHPLtuanXsmBhZ3SeP2/s1600/IMG_20160126_141825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXnbrxqAQPdQDte-XxkHhL_anWs5sSstNeW-uKnF_pit13a6n58B8kFIGqxw0a_FTPP0-0foqWjjaqjRIUILbr2vXLdDKL4Ld88bOS5YjJRPRHjXYY9TI0Lq1BsHPLtuanXsmBhZ3SeP2/s640/IMG_20160126_141825.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing parts. Waiting on the settee.</td></tr>
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The "hob rack" (didn't know that was what it is) for the new stove is a conventional black iron grill that slides around even on shore. I took the grill off the old stove and mounted where the fancy glass top was. Now the pot holder brackets will fit too. Moving the gimbal mount brackets was easy too, just bolts in the sheet metal sides.<br />
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So Temmy is lowering the bottom shelf under the stove so it will fit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3RrSuLB8hm6QzjGZwYjVUHTM__AHGkrMmc5AxSBU2V2SSHA6xHjzDOtK1dfkT4ersX7cEmXHAiuwzFLoTwXQobdKmSnskNOvg1n1OR56DtKZaZ_5KxOgtQBng3_-9mEwLvsB3NmyhQLR/s1600/IMG_20160126_141841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3RrSuLB8hm6QzjGZwYjVUHTM__AHGkrMmc5AxSBU2V2SSHA6xHjzDOtK1dfkT4ersX7cEmXHAiuwzFLoTwXQobdKmSnskNOvg1n1OR56DtKZaZ_5KxOgtQBng3_-9mEwLvsB3NmyhQLR/s640/IMG_20160126_141841.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing the stainless steel liner on the shelf below the stove.</td></tr>
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Almost done, but not quite.<br />
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<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-83425038440766930962016-01-31T02:29:00.000-08:002016-01-31T02:29:08.030-08:00Bike Trip to Comotes IslandsWe took a bike trip to Comotes Islands with Greg & Grace and George & Jean. We only stayed one night in a hotel, so the girls said we didn't stay long enough. Everyone wants to go back again and stay longer.<br />
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We drove pretty much laa around one of the islands, but only a little on the second.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHRnWgmQ9aym0qcjnaLh3pZhb5AYm5ygzcJoCtaflg1aPGPa_XBdv7I_R9oK7U4cQ05cOnM-TjZfdUbiDQ13xA903G4fj9EDjaLeBIj5WWAzneXPL4iP4ZWMMUKGoE4toGGm3LPkfQuc-/s1600/comotes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHRnWgmQ9aym0qcjnaLh3pZhb5AYm5ygzcJoCtaflg1aPGPa_XBdv7I_R9oK7U4cQ05cOnM-TjZfdUbiDQ13xA903G4fj9EDjaLeBIj5WWAzneXPL4iP4ZWMMUKGoE4toGGm3LPkfQuc-/s640/comotes1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lookout point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_rcb_weqziYPxzrB2k7UZNptk6PnxOoG2XcQWHP5Do5SPyeTBluVF7TtyOd-BEtxr3SbvveyS_0VjR3EJE8P2wtvaRBKI4fgjIH3R-hPHhi-JB8RPR7puOfjszA7UNkszYrUEfy3-JLC/s1600/comotes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_rcb_weqziYPxzrB2k7UZNptk6PnxOoG2XcQWHP5Do5SPyeTBluVF7TtyOd-BEtxr3SbvveyS_0VjR3EJE8P2wtvaRBKI4fgjIH3R-hPHhi-JB8RPR7puOfjszA7UNkszYrUEfy3-JLC/s640/comotes2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We anchored for the day there 4 years ago with the boys from Drydock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3LDuoRlvhI7DksqZ8xT7ECaARXFv-VVhPIdqr0oHzKPXo9kViSui3_CrwH-1yZG0NnJwZJdlE3jAPdLdAEzLpy7V_oobevlYl5FkJDsEUg9DiS6rYD29o50vkjzx3gmWzaZvaWSmk_oJ/s1600/comotes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3LDuoRlvhI7DksqZ8xT7ECaARXFv-VVhPIdqr0oHzKPXo9kViSui3_CrwH-1yZG0NnJwZJdlE3jAPdLdAEzLpy7V_oobevlYl5FkJDsEUg9DiS6rYD29o50vkjzx3gmWzaZvaWSmk_oJ/s640/comotes3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at an American Bistro?</td></tr>
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Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-47027805340357145912015-09-13T22:47:00.001-07:002016-01-31T02:40:06.261-08:00Toe Rail and Chain PlatesBoat work continues. Currently
we are replacing the steel under the toe rail that the sail track bolts to.Turns out it was mild steel and not stainless so it rusted away and let water start leaking in. The remnants of the 1 1/4 x 1/4 bar are the pieces laying on the deck. I now have to find some stainless strap and get it drilled and tapped to replace it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_kn51gTvHn6nfCK77cn-1nteRLwJ_sEUnhTOcV58X_ZPW8DaLcGXrb1rHfgZTgYeHW264PI4grIFdVeXAI7Hw6l09IAVK4LrbU-3vM5_IlAlrcm80cBBdhRQLvMCFjIe18q7CHAsTiX6/s1600/IMG_20150914_075936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_kn51gTvHn6nfCK77cn-1nteRLwJ_sEUnhTOcV58X_ZPW8DaLcGXrb1rHfgZTgYeHW264PI4grIFdVeXAI7Hw6l09IAVK4LrbU-3vM5_IlAlrcm80cBBdhRQLvMCFjIe18q7CHAsTiX6/s640/IMG_20150914_075936.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temmy and Donald taking off the toe rail and cleaning out the rusty steel below.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temmy, Charles and Boom-Boom epoxying the topsides back together</td></tr>
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Before the toe rail, I thought the chain plates were bad. They are fiberglassed into the inside of the hull, mostly behind cabinets. We opened a few places that had been leaking bad water inside. Here are two photos after opening them up. The stainless is not corroded at all. So I'll assume none of them are bad and just continue with the bad wood replacement.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the starboard settee cabinet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CgmAM1WqHb9rB-KcRcTlmtlAecq8xExs7pipsaTH5mDfG9sWkmzZrV3T2rdWGfwhBC2DXBYOQWqOS8YBl4eJEircuLi9VSBgNP2KeVsLnAgWmihBsnv0R_SE8EsG5YalO-G-yzmPFB6O/s1600/IMG_20150914_115513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CgmAM1WqHb9rB-KcRcTlmtlAecq8xExs7pipsaTH5mDfG9sWkmzZrV3T2rdWGfwhBC2DXBYOQWqOS8YBl4eJEircuLi9VSBgNP2KeVsLnAgWmihBsnv0R_SE8EsG5YalO-G-yzmPFB6O/s640/IMG_20150914_115513.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind the teak trim in the starboard liquor cabinet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxyb7Da8FDGiGQ9aSENbEkujC7C-6xWSTeGPYAk1Vv6tVeBVLQzgQPjilwZV8ypMn8frDAHP6EsgOIP8J-uPRtwHc88vuGGkZubGZ4M_ZLkGohK3m99AsH4sT5X_DQvRKBLcYX3OdWsDR/s1600/IMG_20150914_115740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxyb7Da8FDGiGQ9aSENbEkujC7C-6xWSTeGPYAk1Vv6tVeBVLQzgQPjilwZV8ypMn8frDAHP6EsgOIP8J-uPRtwHc88vuGGkZubGZ4M_ZLkGohK3m99AsH4sT5X_DQvRKBLcYX3OdWsDR/s640/IMG_20150914_115740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind the shelf in the tool room, almost finished repair.</td></tr>
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This is the back room we call the tool room, all the way around behind the engine room.Supplies go on the small upper shelf and the Kubota goes on the lower one. The water maker membranes go under neath the shelf.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxyb7Da8FDGiGQ9aSENbEkujC7C-6xWSTeGPYAk1Vv6tVeBVLQzgQPjilwZV8ypMn8frDAHP6EsgOIP8J-uPRtwHc88vuGGkZubGZ4M_ZLkGohK3m99AsH4sT5X_DQvRKBLcYX3OdWsDR/s1600/IMG_20150914_115740.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxyb7Da8FDGiGQ9aSENbEkujC7C-6xWSTeGPYAk1Vv6tVeBVLQzgQPjilwZV8ypMn8frDAHP6EsgOIP8J-uPRtwHc88vuGGkZubGZ4M_ZLkGohK3m99AsH4sT5X_DQvRKBLcYX3OdWsDR/s640/IMG_20150914_115740.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1_dqvIfsW6kVpVFs3eugnhpcNMuAjza3WpB3V3LjXIiaan1ruOxpeVHZY7JYFTU3smXnDVt7fkF0J0DxSPvcmhYIKjK3ZEFEP6CO6KSYgxwToCbI0cB7F4XF4s9U6HVAlqijiMgWOVSW/s1600/IMG_20150914_115808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1_dqvIfsW6kVpVFs3eugnhpcNMuAjza3WpB3V3LjXIiaan1ruOxpeVHZY7JYFTU3smXnDVt7fkF0J0DxSPvcmhYIKjK3ZEFEP6CO6KSYgxwToCbI0cB7F4XF4s9U6HVAlqijiMgWOVSW/s640/IMG_20150914_115808.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new tool room shelves almost ready to reinstall the Kubota and watermaker.</td></tr>
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<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-68310128050436189682015-02-21T21:39:00.000-08:002015-02-21T21:39:49.069-08:00Puerto Princesa and Port BonbononI realize that this is a little behind but better late then never. A cousin asked for pictures, so here are a few. No pictures from the passage. Who wants to see lumpy water all around, with no dirt showing anyway.<br />
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First couple from the Yacht Club restaurant in Puerto Princesa. (For you grammar nazis, that is really how they really spell it here.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcQnyJoYs2wB6WopymH3GGK_13PsS8naqwV054zE0TjtEKVlBWEefdZYNUER9HqpOXtKVzy3PYb3aOx4A8G7CGBzISvuQ_mh4vXaUxVyyyRRX-UxBQkqB6h9FYPQJDrHOZi_IaMk_f8u1/s1600/IMG_20150117_130502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcQnyJoYs2wB6WopymH3GGK_13PsS8naqwV054zE0TjtEKVlBWEefdZYNUER9HqpOXtKVzy3PYb3aOx4A8G7CGBzISvuQ_mh4vXaUxVyyyRRX-UxBQkqB6h9FYPQJDrHOZi_IaMk_f8u1/s1600/IMG_20150117_130502.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west from Abanico Yacht Club restaurant deck.</td></tr>
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That is our boat way out there. Nice when the music was loud at the club, but a long way in the rain or wind. It is really shallow up close to the club. We often watched fishermen waking waist deep with hand held scoop-nets there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXH6c2tj7CiFQWkr-cfZFHRe1qOxe83E6a2QEKc3O4mP4z0HAD_NGCLGa6adS8OWzJ3wnw7gOPu-m35MzwOhqrryaF3gMHvWLmWKpwYHcvRm_zcnghYlE9mn5tZ3gNuO5Gqyob5f95wDo/s1600/IMG_20150117_130513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXH6c2tj7CiFQWkr-cfZFHRe1qOxe83E6a2QEKc3O4mP4z0HAD_NGCLGa6adS8OWzJ3wnw7gOPu-m35MzwOhqrryaF3gMHvWLmWKpwYHcvRm_zcnghYlE9mn5tZ3gNuO5Gqyob5f95wDo/s1600/IMG_20150117_130513.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North from the yacht club.</td></tr>
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The dinghy dock, a bamboo contraption. But it worked, didn't fall threw even once. There were usually 8 to 10 dinghies with the painters tangled when we would come back from shopping or the Sunday buffet here.<br />
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And a few pictures from Port Bonbonon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jEm6Ob1vgIUVB6DNcJaSAv72xKCkbB_Ph-VyiLiljr5WZw7AoD4JofTRN6knBiIieAHWBzsX9S2y4RZh-tJzsTEEHLoTVf6Hju-20S89rIZKJtbhNn1m9dix5azhVnKDdgHEBfkw2rDP/s1600/IMG_20150222_125828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jEm6Ob1vgIUVB6DNcJaSAv72xKCkbB_Ph-VyiLiljr5WZw7AoD4JofTRN6knBiIieAHWBzsX9S2y4RZh-tJzsTEEHLoTVf6Hju-20S89rIZKJtbhNn1m9dix5azhVnKDdgHEBfkw2rDP/s1600/IMG_20150222_125828.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south at the entrance channel.</td></tr>
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This would be our backyard here. The wind has blown continuously from the north-northeast so we seem to face the same way all time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRj3kuV6DulYEivRCKdTt9s05b8_Vc-vXqGIdrgBP7rGFiGCFHw07XqXX3zcmQElRa0txlbC-lWKl3Ebq_24SS44PP5P_wH_KerPHV3uf14kYtpifV7F_V7scOCZ-Akv28f-WaDUfPnb7/s1600/IMG_20150222_125921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRj3kuV6DulYEivRCKdTt9s05b8_Vc-vXqGIdrgBP7rGFiGCFHw07XqXX3zcmQElRa0txlbC-lWKl3Ebq_24SS44PP5P_wH_KerPHV3uf14kYtpifV7F_V7scOCZ-Akv28f-WaDUfPnb7/s1600/IMG_20150222_125921.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West, the side yard.</td></tr>
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Only 3 of these boats have people on them. This is a popular place to leave the boat for trips, or to die. Six boats are from old sailors who passed away while moored here. And several more are abandoned and/or for sale.<br />
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Center on shore is one of the 3 restaurants that serve a weekly buffet. It is a very social bay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiensqouk0I7HeZGrMgFQeN1fHAneot9A-Gd2GWH7U5ryOu28Tj1_acFBTvKe8XIjm0jW3hKZWNk4tOAv-vQWOp-30_FYqVtwUZRJfR0b7Tq2gJh9uJ-88Z1D1vRWI3m4UXtfntPtPYa6jJ/s1600/IMG_20150222_125916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiensqouk0I7HeZGrMgFQeN1fHAneot9A-Gd2GWH7U5ryOu28Tj1_acFBTvKe8XIjm0jW3hKZWNk4tOAv-vQWOp-30_FYqVtwUZRJfR0b7Tq2gJh9uJ-88Z1D1vRWI3m4UXtfntPtPYa6jJ/s1600/IMG_20150222_125916.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North, our front yard.</td></tr>
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One friend we met in Majuro 7 years ago says we have the best view of the mountain from here. I would have settled for the shortest row to shore. the second restaurant is the little white triangular peak roof left third of the photo. The third is just around the right edge. Sunday, Wednesday and Friday are the buffets and sometimes a happy hour thrown in. Almost cold beer is about 90 cents USD, only one brand and no wine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTytKRSPjwJ8F90iOPEoGZvJapoDOJLyoQTJ3ubnwyrY3QU02Y6FvJIflr43jFB-jIb47p61HIiP9Zv5JdH4N1Lbi3pevIBqWKnY7ZJuZPZASjmrmgayiFyRekGljV-WlnTJ4YZ5Kr8Sw/s1600/IMG_20150222_125944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTytKRSPjwJ8F90iOPEoGZvJapoDOJLyoQTJ3ubnwyrY3QU02Y6FvJIflr43jFB-jIb47p61HIiP9Zv5JdH4N1Lbi3pevIBqWKnY7ZJuZPZASjmrmgayiFyRekGljV-WlnTJ4YZ5Kr8Sw/s1600/IMG_20150222_125944.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shore is close by to the east.</td></tr>
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A small coconut plantation on the near shore between the huts. So I guess it could look like paradise.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-10293192122617318292015-02-05T04:46:00.001-08:002015-02-05T04:46:42.207-08:00Purple KrautOne of the few good things about the high average 'room temperature" here is that it only takes 5 days to make a jar of sauerkraut. We ate the smaller jar from last week. It was great.<br />
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I recalled someone saying they once had purple kraut. The grocery store had really bad looking green cabbage yesterday, but the purple cabbage looked nice. And only about $4.50/head! Ha! <i>ONLY!</i> But what the heck. So here it is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkc25rsa6zwFlBq6Bp9TEPaGgyDpGeWPgmg9t78IyipQ3dLXKu1hjzViqJszAJXVdmyctkBSyhmme9z8e9lYIA7-Fm9GpRTuII-9VrV5FT-37x9CFAMZ9N981BnNLfh4P3apxcCk3dymK/s1600/purple_cabbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkc25rsa6zwFlBq6Bp9TEPaGgyDpGeWPgmg9t78IyipQ3dLXKu1hjzViqJszAJXVdmyctkBSyhmme9z8e9lYIA7-Fm9GpRTuII-9VrV5FT-37x9CFAMZ9N981BnNLfh4P3apxcCk3dymK/s1600/purple_cabbage.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little dark for pictures.</td></tr>
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I keep forgetting to take pictures during the process. Maybe next time. Again, just slice it up thin, add 1 1/2 tablespoons salt per pound and mash the salt into the cabbage till it starts making juice. Then into the jar with a little weight to hold it from floating up out of the salt water. We use a small plastic bowl crammed in the neck of the jar. Then let it set in a cool place till done. Taste it every few days( every day at 90 degree "room temperature") and put it in the ice box when you like the taste. Or just eat it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGRIOyayw478iAsckPNFedwcvpregHT_Tl_gqr7UXdYvx-lE7aWmgx0Xud-Wh8Dz3LHTDID5gQcWwbfvei0Hpw36fDWVZYIng2XYqEM8FD-7J4RV4dN3rItrPtGPmp9Za7OAPHinWgJck/s1600/purple_kraut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGRIOyayw478iAsckPNFedwcvpregHT_Tl_gqr7UXdYvx-lE7aWmgx0Xud-Wh8Dz3LHTDID5gQcWwbfvei0Hpw36fDWVZYIng2XYqEM8FD-7J4RV4dN3rItrPtGPmp9Za7OAPHinWgJck/s1600/purple_kraut.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last weeks big jar, sea salt and the fresh purple kraut</td></tr>
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Trinda put some crackers in the salt cause it was damp when she bought it... didn't help. The humidity is too high for bulk salt, but that is the only salt without iodine available.<br />
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The foam in last weeks jar is normal, just skim it off. If it has an unpleasant order, then toss it. If some of the cabbage gets above the water and molds, just skim it too.Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-2294783088031378462015-01-26T21:59:00.004-08:002015-01-26T21:59:59.918-08:00Homemade Sauerkraut and YogurtWe have started making a few things of our own on the boat. First, we seldom find sauerkraut in the stores here. When we do find it it is a German brand with spices we are not used to. I remembered that when we were in Mexico, some years go, we saw a restaurant making a 5 gallon jar of sauerkraut out back. That gave me the idea. Therefore a quick google and lots of information.<br />
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This is all it takes:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GuaGXNh_MxQAB_SAlZuIRGCM3lbOYaUZ3jBHe1U3XGpud70MvOsV4qxi6Q-4fh2_9Vm0SlCqMSh65QN1WVAV8zittl4txGBkRY3sG-xyhj29uRAtSgN6Cz6lbSeqRht1kNbFxdpvddcv/s1600/sm_120454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GuaGXNh_MxQAB_SAlZuIRGCM3lbOYaUZ3jBHe1U3XGpud70MvOsV4qxi6Q-4fh2_9Vm0SlCqMSh65QN1WVAV8zittl4txGBkRY3sG-xyhj29uRAtSgN6Cz6lbSeqRht1kNbFxdpvddcv/s640/sm_120454.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt without iodine and cabbage, a bowl and clean jars.</td></tr>
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The directions are simple too. Shred the cabbage. I slice it as thin as I can. Put it in a large bowl. Add one tablespoon salt per pound of cabbage. Stir and mash together with your hands. After the salt is well mixed and you have pressed the salt into the cabbage, it starts to make its own juice, salt water!<br />
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Taste it now to see if you got the salt right. It should be like you normally eat it, salty but not too much.It is easy to add more salt. A little harder to shred a second head cause you got too much salt, like in this batch. Don't use the weight from the store for determining the amount of salt, cause you take off a few leaves and leave out most of the cob.<br />
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Now pack it into a jar by hand, or a spoon if your hand won't it the jar. pack it down tight so that the natural juice floats above the cabbage. We put a small plastic bowl or lid to keep the cabbage from floating up into the air. It might spoil if it is not covered by the salt water.<br />
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Now let it sit in a cool dark place till it is done. They talk about weeks however, one guide suggests to taste it every day. When it tastes like the sauerkraut you like, put it in the refrigerator, or just eat it. I like it best on the 4th day, when there is still some green in the leaves. But we usually seem to wait about week. <br />
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Oh I should mention, room temperature on the boat is between 82 and 92F, so it sets faster here than in cool places.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-FIp7jgQLLbQ9uMsRT_xsnySQeX8raTAQE6Dx_DZ5M3LEf2Mo36aTNWKQgO5NK_c93KtQMVZURBu5SgXkKxbBoft-WjvdqjtXe2pmfFZlzgiAXxNpyyUI4HfI2lckhG8Kpz0G0sLH3tT/s1600/sm_193512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-FIp7jgQLLbQ9uMsRT_xsnySQeX8raTAQE6Dx_DZ5M3LEf2Mo36aTNWKQgO5NK_c93KtQMVZURBu5SgXkKxbBoft-WjvdqjtXe2pmfFZlzgiAXxNpyyUI4HfI2lckhG8Kpz0G0sLH3tT/s640/sm_193512.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked sausage and sauerkraut.</td></tr>
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Greg also got me started on yogurt. I always thought I hated yogurt. He insisted I taste his homemade. It was much better than I remembered. It could be the low carb/high fat way we're eating lately that has changed my taste buds, or just getting old! But a cold bowl of yogurt with some sugar free blueberry jam or a few sliced strawberries really hits the spot on a hot afternoon. And it is almost lactose free, so Trinda can eat it without worry.<br />
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The recipefor the yogurt is actually less work than the sauerkraut. One pouch full fat powdered milk and 4 cups water in a pot. Bring to about 180F, almost a boil. Cool to 115F and add 2 or 3 tablespoons of your last batch. Stir and put in the jars. Screw the lid on tight. I put the jars in a styrofoam 'six-pack' cooler for 4 to 6 hours. Then move to the refrigerator and your good for a week.<br />
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The first time you either get some from a friend or buy some from the store. Get unsweetened, plain yogurt with 'live culture' or 'live enzymes'.<br />
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If you like it thick and sour, leave it warm longer, like 6 to 8 hours. Or more mild and creamy, then 3 1/2 to 4 hours is good.<br />
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The INTERNET says it would be much better if we used the fresh whole milk, but the powdered milk keeps up to a year without refrigeration and it is always available here.We can get good powdered milk here, not only skimmed like in the states. But whole milk, full cream, 2% and skim. And it can be pure spray-dried or a mix of weird chemistry including oils, soy, palm oil, cornstarch, and all the multi-syllable chemicals 'additives allowed by law' it says here. So we read the labels. Some of that stuff just kills the culture and spoils.<br />
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<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-11875339889660273692014-12-10T02:55:00.002-08:002014-12-10T02:55:38.236-08:00The Christmas Tree is UPAhh, it is Dec 10th, Gary's BirhDay. We have always put the tree up today. Of course, a few (maybe many) years ago we would get a tree permit and take the jeep up into the mountians of Northern New Mexico to cut a fresh pine. There was usually snow and cold but a fun day out.<br />
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No snow here. It was 33C (92F) here inside the boat while Trinda was trimming the small tree.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little tree inside, about 18" with the star.</td></tr>
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We created our own 'artificial' tree for the fore deck. A few wire coat hangers, some heavy duty garland, light duty tinsel and some LED lights. The only lights for sale here are 220 volts, so it requires a step-up transformer. At least the LEDs don't need many amps.<br />
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That is a small view of the bay here in Puerto Princesa in the background.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinda said it looks like something drug up from Neptune's locker.<br />
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We've been here for a couple of months now, for no particular reason, just chill-in'. Doing a (very) few boat projects, a few computer projects and lots of crochet and movie watching.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ktYwVKFI3cVaEZzbHbjH5BQXOR_y21FNbV8wuQYw0XIXhl-N7kAkRNkO3UJkWWsNLW7LOMeQMUsA50lhNQVt1zl3-TXX1Aw1HnGhzFZv2tiGFruzKaHDHQGEN6_rAVkbi_t_CLH_sSyR/s1600/tree3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ktYwVKFI3cVaEZzbHbjH5BQXOR_y21FNbV8wuQYw0XIXhl-N7kAkRNkO3UJkWWsNLW7LOMeQMUsA50lhNQVt1zl3-TXX1Aw1HnGhzFZv2tiGFruzKaHDHQGEN6_rAVkbi_t_CLH_sSyR/s1600/tree3.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But the old saying about dark and distance helps a lot!</td></tr>
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-69303174531857166602014-07-27T04:38:00.001-07:002014-07-27T04:38:29.211-07:00Penang to Johor BahruHere are a few photos of Penang before we left.<br />
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Penang has lots of street art, art created on the sides of buildings and using junk and features available. The street art is keeping up with the times. Minions have appeared all over town. <br />
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Some of the Chews, hehehe. We anchored near the Chew Jetty, a village built over the water alongside the pier. Each clan built their own village, thus all the people on this one have the last name Chew. Celene kept my bicycle in her front room while Trinda was in the apartment recovering from the knee surgery.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queenie Chew and of course Mr. T.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celene and hubby Sao</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of their house looking at the Katie Lee.</td></tr>
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I'm sure I mentioned on Facebook that as we were coming around the bottom of Singpore we had engine trouble. We were just anchoring for the night by St. John's island when the engine made a terrible noise and quit moving the boat. I was not able to set the anchor properly. That is to put the anchor down, the boat in reverse and backup till the anchor catches something and the boat stops. We were in a well protected spot, so I was not too worried about the anchor dragging.
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(I am officially giving notice that Trinda did help a lot during this adventure. It is just easier to type I than she, we, us, Trinda, etc.)
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We were tired from watching the traffic all day. Once the AIS showed 536 other boats around us. Most were anchored though. But some were giant freighters moving as fast as 18 knots. We can only motor 6 knots. It wasn/t as bad as some people tell it though as I was able to read a few chapters in my book during the 8 hour trip.
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Anyway, I re-started the engine a couple times listening to the noise from several different places and hoping to see the porp shaft turn agan. But no turning. I decided the most likely problem would be the damper drive plate that connects a diesel engine to the transmittion. It is there to reduce the vibration of the engine effecting the gears in the tranny. So It is not something I carry spare for.
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The times before that I have pulled the tranny, it took severl hours. Singapore is a very expensive place for thiings like tow boats and labor. So calling for help was really out of the question. St. John's Isand Park is about 40 mile from the Senibong Marina where we had reservations in the next few days. We slept! Next morning, I started it one more time, just to make sure it wasn't a nightmare. HAHA, I wish! So I tied the dinghy to the side of the boat, with a couple fenders for a cushion. Flled it with gas, started it, put it in gear, set the motor straight and turned the throttle up to 3/4. Then I climbed back aboard and steered the boat normally. We got up to 2.4 knots! WOW! not as fast as I would like, but better than nothing.
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The current runs as high as 6 knots around Singpore according to the charts. It depends on the phase of the moon, wind and time of day. The route I chose seemed to have only 2 to 3 knots of current. So for 6 hours each days it was going the right directon. We anchored the rest of the time. Most of the time we could make 3 to 4 knots according to the GPS, but occasionally I would get on the wrong side of the current. One spot we took 3 hours to go 2 miles. Singapore is expanding the only way it can. They build a sea wall then fill it in with sand dredged from ythe bottom outside the wall. One new wall was 2 miles further out than when I saw it 2 years ago. I couldn't see it because of all the anchored big ships and haze so I missed it. I could make only 0.9 knots turning back till I got around it.
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The slow pace gave me plenty of time to calculate, measure and re-calcu;ate the amount of gas we had for the dinghy. Diesel doesn't work! We barely made it to Penelih the second day. It is the first land in Malasya coming from our direction. It has a small ferry terminal. I was able to find a local willing to take my 3 empty gass jugs to town (29 kiometers away) and bring them back full. He only charged double, but he did do it after dark and brought them out to the boat.
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As we approached the marina I fiinally got the manager on the radio. I had sent an e-mal saying we were having engine trouble but were coming slowly. When we pulled into the marina I finally got him on the radio. After I explained the suituation, he changed the assigned slip to one easier to get into. We motored right in. Trinda steered the big boat and I got in the dinghy to help with the sharper turns and control the speed. The manager and am mthe dock hands couldn't believe we came in so easy. I didn't remind them that we had been practicing for the past 4 days, sorta any way.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the marina with the dinghy still tied along side.</td></tr>
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Finally here, we got a ride to the closest grocery/mall, dropped off the laundry, shopped and then celebrated with banana splits!
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinda and her banana split.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset after the banana splits!</td></tr>
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Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869934745532547263.post-5346407202676763522014-06-26T04:05:00.000-07:002014-06-26T04:05:16.824-07:00New PassportsOur passports are full. I have only about 6 places for stamps and Trinda has 10. Some countries will not let you enter if you do not have at least 4 pages (16 places for stamps). Our passports are good for another year and a half. But, it cost the same to get a new passport with 52 pages as it does to add 24 pages.<br />
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So we took the bus to Kuala Lumpour, to the US Embassy, and applied for new ones. You have to submit 2 photos, so these are the pictures we took to make the photos from.<br />
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It was a long trip. The nice folks on Chew Jetty insisted on picking us up from our boat so as not to leave the dinghy at the jetty while we were gone. Then we took the ferry to Butterworth, walked to the National bus terminal and bought tickets for KL. This started at 10pM. Bus left at 11:30PM. We were the last on the bus, so we had lousy seats.<br />
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Arrived tired in downtown KL a little after 4AM and hungry. There was a Kofe Shop or small restaurant there so we had breakfast of local coffee and roti canai (fluffy tortilla to dip in curry). By 6 a taxi driver talked us into a scenic ride to the embassy. It only took 20 minutes so we rested on the benches in front till 9AM.<br />
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By 10 we had finished the application and were told our passports would be ready July 3 and only one of us need come back to get them. We met an American living in KL who also was applyig for his new passport. He said "Come, I'll take you to the bus station." I naturally assumed he had a car. Notice how I put that? He said is was a short walk up the street, by McDonald's. So off we walked. When we finnaly got to McDonald's and turned into the subway station I asked him about the car. NO car! He intends to escort us to the bus via the subway. He had been living in KL more than 6 years, and I knew how to get around better than he!<br />
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We had planned to take the taxi back, cause it was only about 3 bucks. We wound up walking about 2 miles. Trinda's knee was starting to swell and she was grouchy by the time we found the right bus. Much better seats this time. The bus ids the size of a Greyhound, but only has 3 seats across, 1 on one side of the isle, 2 the other. But no toilet. About 5 hours later the bus stops at the wrong end of Penang island and announces the "end of the line"! I had argued a couple minutes with the ticket sales guy about where I wanted to go. He insisted this was the right bus. We had to get a taxi back to Chew Jetty, then a ride back out to the boat about 6PM.<br />
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A long 20 hours! RM35 for bus 330 kilometer to KL, RM15 taxi in KL, RM38 bus back, RM40 taxi 5 kilometer wrong bus terminal to Chew Jetty. Irritating, but at RM3=$1 not really much.<br />
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I got an e-mail in only 4 days saying our passports are in and ready to be picked up any time. I plan to wait until we get to Port Klang in a few days and take the bus from there to get the passports.
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The actual passport photos were cropped from these.
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<br />Larry Littlefieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083659166631020929noreply@blogger.com0