E214 From Ancient Caves to Tropical Storms Sailing Borneo

We arrive at Miri Marina and before we can even think about exploring, the first job is organising multiple fuel runs to top up several boats with diesel. Soon after, Emma joins us and we head inland to explore the incredible Niah Caves — a fascinating glimpse into Borneo’s ancient past. Setting sail eastward, the calm conditions don’t last. Out of nowhere, a sudden tropical storm hits, with winds jumping from just 6 knots to over 40 in seconds. Thankfully, we manage to get the sails down in time, but our buddy boat isn’t as lucky and suffers some damage in the chaos. We continue on through Brunei, passing the Sultan’s palace and enjoying a beautifully protected anchorage before pushing on toward Labuan. There, we encounter our most polluted anchorage yet. It takes several attempts to set the anchor, repeatedly fouled by plastic rubbish covering the seabed. It’s a sobering reminder of the reality beneath the surface — but Labuan’s duty-free shopping, especially the chocolate, helps soften the experience. Timestamps if you like to Jump Right In: 00:00 Intro 00:38 Miri Marina 02:05 Refuelling diesel 03:11 Niah Caves 08:32 Sudden tropical storm 12:34 Labuan WHO ARE WE? Hey there! We’re Chris and Jo, an ordinary Aussie couple living our extraordinary dream aboard our Seawind 1260 since January 2019 and now we continue from 2024 aboard our new 1370! Our adventure began with an unforgettable journey down the east coast of Australia, followed by a sail to the stunning New Caledonia. In 2020, we continued our exploration further north, and by 2021 and 2022, we circumnavigated Australia, discovering breathtaking locations along the way. Having previously owned fishing and water-skiing boats, our passion for sailing deepened after crewing in South Australia, leading us to make the leap into full-time living at sea. We hope to inspire you, just as we were inspired by other YouTube channels, to chase your dreams and explore the wonders of this beautiful world. Join us on our journey, and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sailing adventures! #seawind1370 #seawindcats #sailing #sailingboat #sailingyacht #yacht #yachting #yachtinglifestyle #cruisinglife #boatlaunch