Day 873 10th December 2018
66 miles (Melaka to Port Dixon ) Average speed 9.8 mph Top speed 14 mph
We were up at 7 and had brekkie of eggs, chips and beans with some fried rice too and coffee. We left at 8.30 and made our way to Sungai Baru, but not without taking the wrong road and detouring around some forest land. When we arrived at the turtle centre it was closed on Mondays. We found a guy working on the eggs and hatchlings, who spoke very good English and told us about how the hawksbill is protected and that only 1 in a thousand make it to adulthood.
The Turtle Centre
I went for swim and we had lunch of fish. I then stupidly left my towel and shorts hanging on a tree just as I was telling Lucas it is when you lose or forget things. Doh!
Lucas enjoying a stroll on the beach
We took the coast road for as long as possible. Then we took the 138 until we rejoined the 5 at the next bridge. At Pasir Panjang we rested from the rain with an iced tea and banana fritters and met a local chef who talked about food, cooking and the playful monkeys nearby. They had stolen some fresh donuts and were making their getaways. I went to join them on the kids’ slide to take photos in the rain.
Monkey thief
We then pushed on to Port Dickson, where we checked in to the Merlin hotel and went for a ride, only to be underwhelmed by the place with its modern frontage with western restaurants, bars and rather rundown old town. We cycled three miles back to Tino’s pizza restaurant, but it wasn’t a great pizza, even though the Austrian owner was very friendly and helpful.
Lucas went for a swim and I a walk before an early night.
Hotel Merlin 50 ringgit each.