Voyager (Express made me famous) holding farewell party tomorrow
Published on: Friday, June 30, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Solo American adventurer Jonathan Selby, 70, said he had no idea how effective the Daily Express is until he was swarmed by well wishers who said they chanced upon his story on the front page of the June 13 issue under the heading "Lone Traveller's World Trip In A Boat He Built."People were intrigued to read about me and and looked for me. Daily Express made me famous," he said, and expects some 500 people to attend his farewell party tomorrow (Saturday, July 1).Jonathan plans to move on to Labuan after the event and will be escorted by two boats under the auspices of the Founder and Chairman of Sidma College, Sabah, Dr Mornie Hj Kambrie. ADVERTISEMENT "Dr Mornie will be in one of the escort boats," he said excitedly.He said his farewell "Open House" would be from 5 to 8pm. event. "It is my Journey (A Man Sailing All His Heart With God) KK Farewell Party."All KK people are welcome…those who did not get to meet me earlier or did not attend my presentation at Makab Nasional and the Church of Mary Immaculate. "Admission is free, food is also free. The doors are open from 4.45pm. I want all you friends to please come and enjoy with us as I share my story and journey with you in songs and videos," he said, adding he had paid for the hall (venue at Foo Chow Association Building, along Jalan Kolam).ADVERTISEMENT "It's a public event where I get to personally meet, greet and share with all the great people I have been meeting here and Facebook friends, and my going away party. Well wishers are also welcomed to bring a snack or dish along if they want to do so."The programme is: 5pm-6pm (Social Time – Games for Children), 6pm-7pm (Snacks, Fingerfood, Social Time & Photo Session), 7pm-8pm (Sharing Session Jonathan's Journey).
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Jonathan is likely to relate the story of how he was stopped by the Philippine Coastguard (for fear that he might fall prey to the notorious Abu Sayyaf while attempting to get to the Malaysian side from Palawan. "I had to sail back to Palawan and was escorted by three fishing-boats in a 10-hour cruise to Pulau Banggi," he recalled, adding that he paid US$400 (RM1,200) for the service.Event Coordinator Yuki Lim and volunteers like Felicia Tsen, an interior designer, are helping to organise the farewell party. Together with two friends, Grace and Jocelyn, Lim bought a first-aid kit, zipper bags, a mattress, a pillow, mosquito patches and anti-mosquito spray for the sailor. "We gave these to him when we visited his boat."According to her, public response was good when Jonathan asked on Facebook if it was all right for him to run a concert cum farewell party."Everyone said yes, yes, yes, so he proceeded with his plan, and we volunteered to help him. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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I believe he inspired a lot of people in KK…sailing all alone in a handcrafted boat at the age of 70."Meanwhile, Jonathan posted the following observation on Facebook: "I come to know that you great people in Sabah welcome and allow for people of different faiths to be friends and live together in peace...and we mutually pray that the whole world will learn to be like that too." - Mary Chin