In the early 80ies, my father’s friend Stefan decided to make a slight change in his life and to build a 13.5 metres sailing yacht called Samira. He then married Sabina and off they were to discover the seven seas.

I haven’t seen the two in the last 15 years or so, however, my father kept in contact with Stefan. When I was travelling through Malaysia, he told Sabina and Stefan that I was close to their position and within no time, I got a description about how to find the wharf in Penang, Northern Malaysia, via email.
When I arrived in the wharf, it was easy to find the Samira – first of all, the steel hull was painted blue, secondly, it easily was the most well-kept ship among the 20 or so yachts in the wharf. 
I parked the car in the shadow of the huge ship (the ship was on the dry dock) and climbed up the ladder – no Stefan, no Sabina. Where were they?

I did not have to wait long: Stefan, much slimmer than I remembered him, and Sabina, much looking the same like 15 years ago, were walking towards their adventure carrier. I hardly could say “hello” before Stefan started to explain their ship! How much more complicated it seemed compared to an off-road car! All those ropes. Loads of communication equipment. And they had a 3000ccm Diesel motor, too! Off we were to have a look at the ship’s own museum (amazing, what treasures and inimitableness they found on remote islands!) and to discuss the advantages of synthetic ropes vs. steel cables (we use them for winches, they secure sails and masts with them). Before we could agree on any of the materials, the noise of yet another Diesel motor was to be heard!
 
The Danish team showed up! Nette and Thomas had made it and their green Land-Rover was about to be parked next to the Samira. Stefan blew the horn of his yacht (WOW – I wanna have one, too!) and within no time the two had climbed up and we had some welcome beers in the cockpit.
Sabina and Stefan told us about their adventures and experiences on small islands far away from common nautical routes. They have met chiefs in huts no higher than 1.2 meters, made business with the locals (1 shovel against some beautiful bracelet made of special shells), helped fixing all sorts of things and gained experiences and friends a normal tourist or an overlander never will.
The evening in a small Chinese restaurant was very special: we knelt over maps, discussed routes through Siberia (the two Danish have driven all through Russia and Mongolia) and Patagonia and were stunned to see the route the Samira has taken. In 7 years from island to island, sometimes 22 days on sea without any land in sight…

We all agreed that travelling around the world by boat, or, respectively, by car, is absolutely not the same. While we reach places by car no captain ever will see, they come into contacts with natives who have never seen a car! Funnywise, both Stefan an me thought about a new trip by car, or, in my case, by ship. Maybe we can swap…
The next morning came with a beautiful sunrise – I captured the scenery in the wharf with my camera. Then Sabina and Stefan led us through nearby Georgetown with all its temples (Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu, etc.), nuclear-sized smoke sticks, and beautiful Chinese clan houses. The pictures speak for themselves…

In the afternoon Nette and Thomas left to go off-roading once more, and I made way towards the Thai border. Stefan and Sabina went on painting their ship – they will be back in the water in a month or so! It was great to meet them!