Tibet here I come - 10 days to D1

I'm feeling very excited as the days to the departure draws nearer. Next week would be the last week spent in Singapore. My Land cruiser KZJ78G with a 1KJ-TE engine is all set up and ready for the 40 day expedition to Mount Everest Base camp.
The final accessory I fitted was a snorkel. It will enable the engine to breathe cooler dust-free air. So far so good. The air filter appears to be super clean and the looks enhanced to a more rugged 4X4. As for increased performance, I could not feel any visible increase in power.
I am especially happy that the engine temperature remains within the manufacturer's specs when going uphill. This is a direct result of topping up the silicone oil in the viscous hub of the fan hub assembly. Most Landcruisers will keep to normal engine temperatures with the standard clutch fan. No need to change to a 4 layer radiator or a larger fan. Just top up the silicone oil and all will be okay.
I tested the tyre pressures on the Highway yesterday. I found that 30psi when cold, which is about 32psi when hot suits just fine. Anything lower feels slugish and anything higher feels too hard on the bumps.
I will probably start packing today. Don't want to miss any items. Next week, I'll send the LC to Panjang's workshop for a complete servicing. This time I'm determined to have a 100% mechanical fault free drive there & back.       

Fishing Offshore

The Hatteras 77C Sports Fisherman

Cockpit of the Hatteras 77C

Soon to be a reality in Singapore. Stay tuned.....

Chermin Fishing Season again

Tiger Cat alongside RSYC after a day of fishing off Pulau Salu

She has been laid up far too long. High & dry parked next to the new Boat Shed at RSYC. Now fitted with a Ray Marine Chartplotter complete with digital radar, sounder and auto-pilot, she is ready to make longer journeys to Pulau Aur and even to Phuket. Her twin Yamaha 150s are an excellent match and she cruises easily at 26 knots sipping only 60 litres of fuel every hour. With her 910 litre capacity, she has a range of 390 nautical miles. Good to reach Penang without having to refuel. Not bad for a small boat. Next project, cockpit awnings and a much needed anchor windlass. In the meanwhile, I'll need to go fishing more often to justify the expenditure.  

Preparing the Landcruiser for Everest Trip

Safe & Sound parked Derek's home in JB, Great neighbours Sara & Tamu

All ready for the 15,000km round trip to Everest base camp

31/10.5 inch wheels on 15X8.5" rims with a 1.5" lift

It has been an absolute joy to prepare the old Land Cruiser for the journey up to Everest base Camp, via Tibet. I managed to link up with a pioneer member of the Johor 4X4 club (Jeep Nation). Everyone calls him by his nick name; "Panjang" @Mr Wong. Panjang operates a 4X4 workshop at 175 Jalan Seroja 39, Johor Jaya. Tel: 07-3518002. I found his advise to be practical and honest and his knowledge of 4X4s is remarkable.

A Malaysian Land Cruiser at a fraction of the cost of the S'pore COE

Perhaps the only thing left to install is the snorkel, roof rack, Vhf radio, and maybe a new set of front seats. I was thinking of getting used Mercedes seats. They seem to be the most comfortable option for long jouneys.  

I felt the Bull Bar was a must because of heavy animal traffic in Tibet.
Better safe than sorry. 

Money Pouch Stolen 22 June 2012

It has been a very very long while since I had any personal possession taken from me. Yesterday was a different experience. I was McDonald's Lucky Plaza at B1. I left my pouch slung on the chair. Inside was my wallet, passport, MP4 player & about $1,500 in cash. When we had finished, I left McD. Less than 3 mins later I realised what had happened. I ran back, only to find my pouch missing. A young lady, actually saw a youth in his 20s come in the side door, take the pouch & leave. His action was so smooth that she assumed he had to be the owner. The thief took the pouch to the B1 Gents, emptied all the cash and dumped the pouch into the bin next to the toilet. Whilst I was reporting the incident to the security dept & watching the video footage, the toilet cleaner, a China national returned my pouch to the security. He had found it whilst emptying the bin. I was glad to have my stuff back, even with all the cash gone.
Perhaps it was just a one-off unfortunate incident. However according to the Security guards, the B1 McDonald's is the venue of a syndicate that has been preying on careless individuals such as me for some time now. They had even reported the matter to the police more than once. I do admit that I have been careless with my belongings. I alone am to blame.
The reverse seems to happen to me more often. Whilst in Bali, I left my pouch in the gents.I returned many minutes later & received it back intact from a smiling toilet cleaner. My son left his wallet containing $350 at a recent IT expo. A 23 year old youth living in Sembawang brought it back all the way to our doorstep, following the address on my son's Nric. The gentleman refused to accept any reward, so I drove him back to Sembawang. When he found the wallet, he called his mother. She said to return it immediately.
I will not allow this incident to get the better of me. Overall people in Singapore are honest and civic minded. A few bad hats cannot change this fact. They only block the sunshine for a few fleeting moments.      
   

Shortage of professional Pleasure Craft Captains

Recently, a friend of mine got inspired to slow down his work routine and pick up on enjoying the fruits of his labour. Being an ardunt boater & fisherman, he naturally decided that it was time to buy a boat for the whole family to spend quantity and quality time together. As he was pretty well to do, he decided to upsize his choice of boats to an 80 foot passage maker. Boy! was he excited. He called boat dealers, checked the choices available and finally decided on exactly what he wanted. Before, I got wind of his selection, he had already placed the order, paid the deposit and was working on the heaps of options available to fit up the boat for long range cruising and fishing.
Then a shocking revelation came to mind. How was he going to drive the boat, berth it and maintain it is ship shape condition. It hadn't dawned on him that an 80 fotter is a mighty big craft, far larger than the runabouts he had been used to. Where and how in the world was  he going to hire a captain to help take care of the boat. Where does he begin. Questions came fast & furious. Buying a 80 fotter was a whole new ball game, one that needs lots of preparations, especially in Singapore, where the boating professionals are not in ready stock yet......      

Whatever the boat, a good Sea Captain is essential for safety at sea

All geared up & no place to go in Singapore's waters

Explore. Dream. Discover. 7 July 2012

A friend of mine just suffered a stroke. As with most cases it came suddently and turned the whole family routine topsy turvy. It is during these times that I am reminded again to live life to the fullest in the here & now before its too. Unfortunately for Jack, it's a little too late. Though I wish him well, I know he will never be the same Jack every again.

Twently year from now, you will be more disapointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did. So throw off the bow lines. Sail from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain