Dedicated wine drinkers have lean time in Langkawi 

As we approached the island of Langkawi in Malaysia the clouds started to roll in on the horizon and we could tell that a storm was imminent. Seems to be the story of our life!

We reduced engine speed and moved at a leisurely pace  to the entrance of Telaga Harbour. 

Telaga Harbour has an easy entry and having anchored there quite a number of times before we weren’t concerned but there are some quite shallow parts and there are a couple of moorings you don’t want to anchor too close to, so we approached with care. 

Ten minutes later just as the downpour stopped and the clouds were beginning to clear, we motored in.  

Once the boat was settled and we had our obligatory cup of tea, we checked in (so easy at a Telaga Harbour) and then took our dinghy to the dock outside the restaurants where all the super yachts are parked. 
We strolled along the beach past the Danna hotel and visited our friendly car hire lady, Linda who runs one of the restaurants off the beach. 

Our friends from Australia were coming to stay on the boat in a few days time so we needed to buy provisions, drinks and organise laundry etc. 

In the past we had been able to buy as much wine, beer and spirits as we wished in Langkawi but new rules that had been brought in towards the end of 2016, specified that you could only purchase five litres of wine or spirits per person, per month. 

I guess if you love a little rum at sundown or a g and t before dinner, five litres a month would be, for most people, absolutely enough. However, six bottles of wine a month to a dedicated wine drinker is really on the lean side, especially when you are expecting guests!

At each of the outlets on Langkawi where alcohol can be purchased, there is now a Customs agent who checks what you have bought and enters it onto a computer along with your passport information. Yachties can no longer buy wine at the warehouse near the wet market and there is officially no way you can get more wine than your allocated amount. (I’m sure some resourceful people have found a way!).

As we were meeting our friends in Penang, and needed to make sure the boat was OK while we were away, we pulled up anchor and motored round to Rebak Marina. It was good to be back there and we ended up having a great evening with fellow Sail to Wonderful Indonesia 2015 participants, also at Rebak for a short while.