CanKata: November 2014

On November 1, 2014, CanKata left Ao Po Marina after spending seven months on the hard. She’s always so much more alive when she is in the water.

Darrel had spent most days tending to CanKata while she was on the hard, and she benefitted from his attention. All systems were operating smoothly, and she gleamed just like a new boat.

We invited a couple of friends to join us on our last journey (a young Thai woman and her Chinese husband … passports from three different countries for immigration), and I think having visitors on board was very healthy for us – helping us to stay occupied and keeping us from getting too sentimental.

This wasn’t a sad journey for us. While CanKata was on the hard, we had plenty of time to prepare ourselves for the inevitable delivery to her new owner. We have looked back over the thousands of photos, reread our logs and guest books, retold our more interesting stories, and agreed (time and time again) that we are making the right transition. Ten years of living on a catamaran and sailing more than half-way around the world was an incredible adventure, but ten years was enough for both of us.

We arrived at Rebak Marina (Langkawi, Malaysia) on November 5, 2014. As we approached the canal into the very-well-protected marina, I saw a senior-aged gentleman walking towards the break-wall. When he saw CanKata, he broke into a run. It was a very hot day, so I wondered why he would be running. Then he started shouting, “CanKata! CanKata!”

Darrel figured out who it was right away. “It’s Alfred!” Alfred is CanKata’s new owner. He was there to greet us (well, CanKata) as we pulled into the marina. It was a very touching moment for me.

Moments later, when we were snuggly tied to the dock, Alfred arrived, panting a little bit, but obviously very happy to see his new boat safe and sound and in excellent condition. We invited him aboard and gave him some water, and then Darrel gave him a tour. Just a couple of days later, all the business transactions were completed and CanKata was no longer ours.

Another touching moment was when we dropped off our two visitors at Telaga Harbour. “You were our last visitors,” I said, and then tears welled up in my eyes. I composed myself, and then I asked them to sign the last entry in our guest book. We were so happy that we could share our last journey with our sweet young friends.

So now we are landlubbers again. No regrets, a gazillion memories, stories to tell and retell, and so many friends that we made along the way. Fair winds to our friends who are still out there. Cheers to all of you!