E217 - A Sea Turtle Lays Eggs Right in Front of Us!

We leave Kota Kinabalu and sail around the northern tip of Borneo, stopping at several spectacular bays along the way and enjoying another wonderful rally dinner at Usukan Cove. Continuing on to Kudat, we attempt to anchor and med-moor but struggle to get the anchor to set in the tricky conditions. Thankfully several rally boats come to our rescue, lending a hand and reminding us once again how supportive the cruising community can be. The rally tour bus then takes us on a land adventure to the Tip of Borneo, where the South China Sea and Sulu Sea meet. Along the way we visit a local homestay and a fascinating honeybee farm. From Kudat we carefully navigate through a maze of reefs to reach Turtle Islands Park. Normally off limits to boats, the Sail Malaysia Rally receives special permission to visit this protected sanctuary. That evening we’re fortunate enough to witness an incredible moment — a female turtle coming ashore to lay her eggs — and learn about the conservation efforts helping ensure the hatchlings have the best possible chance of survival. Leaving the islands behind, we sail to Sandakan where we refuel No Regrets II at the fuel barge and fill our new additional fuel bladders for the journey ahead. While in Sandakan we visit the remarkable Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, getting an unforgettable close look at these endangered animals. Finally, Geoff and Anne arrive to join us as new crew for the next leg of our adventure. 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