Welcome back Boatblog® fans to yet another exciting account of our Far Eastern adventures brought to you exclusively from our flat in Brentford.
This time about our time in Thailand.
Sorry it’s a bit late, but actually it’s quite good fun for us because it brings back all the great memories.
First we had to get to Thailand – and quickly. Our friends – and seasoned sailors – Jeremy and Nicole were coming to visit, so it was a bit of a dash from Singapore through the Malacca Straits which must be one of the busiest seaways in the world. Not only are there hundreds of cargo ships and fishing trawlers, but we had to weave our way through the many thousands of squid boats.
Which to be fair are at least well lit.
After three days and nights we eventually arrived at Phuket where we were delighted to be reunited with our friends from the Indonesian Rally; Manuel & Li from Anima and Jeff, Michelle & Sami from Seahorse.
Especially as Jeff had brought over a little snack for us to eat.
It is Boatblog® policy that we don’t do photos of dinner on the grounds that it’s a bit weird. Not to mention boring. But given this was made on a boat, brought over by dinghy, and was particularly amazing we thought we’d make an exception. You are welcome on Domini anytime Jeff!
And after dinner, Li even taught us Chinese Calligraphy.
The next day Jeremy and Nicole arrived. And the party began.
After such a long flight, they couldn’t wait to jump into the water. But unfortunately, the sea was full of swarms of jellyfish,
You could virtually walk across them there were so many. (By the way, do you know what a swarm of jellyfish is called? Answer at the bottom.)
The jellyfish are enormous.
Though quite pretty close up.
You don’t want to get too close up. If you get stung by one of these, it really spoils your day. You couldn’t just jump off the boat and go swimming, not without the proper PPE anyway.
Besides, it would have been in poor taste for Ju to just wear his Speedos.
We decided to head for the Similan Islands, which were about 60NM away…
– and by all accounts jellyfish free.
The Similians are the absolute stereotype of the perfect tropical island. Silver sand, turquoise waters, palm trees…
And you can’t beat fresh coconuts at the beach hut.
The snorkelling is in gin clear water.
And the whole area has seems to be created out of strange but beautiful rock formations.
Watch out for the giant turtles.
Ju took advantage of the beautifully calm anchorages to practise his yoga.
While everyone else relaxed.
We’re not quite sure quite what is going on here, but Jeremy looks particularly well relaxed.
As the Similian Islands are a national park with quite strict regulations on how long you can stay, it was time to head back to “The Mainland,” as we called Phuket and visit some of the other islands.
We anchored amongst the fishermen who had so plagued our night crossings, but who were perfectly friendly close up.
And explored the caves at low tide
At our next stop, Ko Yao Yai we rented motor bike and sidecars for a little trip round the island.
Jeremy and Nicole pulled the short straw and got motor bike and shopping trolley.
But the island was glorious.
And despite being so tiny, it has everything you could wish for.
Then it was back to the boat to catch up on all the boat jobs.
Followed by a sundowner or two.
But later that night – disaster struck!!!
Nicole fell and dislocated her finger.
You don’t need to be a nurse to know that doesn’t look right.
If it was Jeremy’s finger we would have declared it an Alcohol Inflicted Injury, but Nicole insists it was simply caused by wondering around at night, without contact lenses, on an unfamiliar boat.
Hmmm…we shall let you, dear reader, decide.
Fortunately there was a medical centre on the island so at first light we took Nicole over in the dinghy. She was plied with grog, bit into a piece of shoe leather and quick as a flash the doctor managed to put it back.
After a few days recuperating we were off again. And you can’t come this far and not go to James Bond Island.
People still flock to see the island where Roger Moore duelled with Scaramanga. In 1974! Most of the tourists weren’t even born when this was made, but still they come. Starring Britt Ekland as Miss Goodnight (honestly!) it contained lines such as “I am now aiming precisely at your groin. So speak – or forever hold your piece.” They really don’t write stuff like that anymore.
Even so, everyone wants to be 007.
Nicole has a bit of an advantage with the bandaged finger.
Then it was on to the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga, where we went canoeing.
And the very best sort of canoeing – the one where you don’t have to paddle.
Through the caves..
It’s all very romantic.
Next port – the floating village of Koh Panyi. Which is charming, but very touristy. So we decided to have a break from sailing, do the touristy thing and rent a long tail boat up the river.
They are very proud of their football club, Panyee FC…
And so they should be. Even the football pitch is floating.
It takes hours to get the ball back after someone’s kicked it out.
We went through the caves…
(That’s a lot of caves – Ed)
…and onto see the cave paintings.
Which are thousands of years old and done by the ancient people’s of Phang Nag Bay. Or a local graffiti artist last week, one of the two.
Thailand really is a wonderful place to go sailing.
But all too soon Jeremy and Nicole’s visit had to come to an end as they headed off to Vietnam, and we headed back to Malaysia to moor up the boat for a few months to come back to Blighty.
So it’s goodbye from us all in Thailand.
Or “ลาก่อน,” as they say out here.
But before we go, there is just time for an occasional feature of the Boatblog®, to show you just some of the hard work that goes into putting these fine tales of adventure together called “The Making Of…”
Our lead photographer on the set of The Man With The Golden Gun.
Venturing into the Blue to capture close up underwater images of the poisonous jellyfish.
And Ju getting into his headstand.
He cheated! Still – not bad for an old bloke. Besides – it’s hard staying up on a rocking boat.
That’s all folks!
Ju, Lyn, Jeremy and Nicole.
What – no arty farty competition? – Ed
Whoops – nearly forgot. We have two entries. The first from Jeremy is a particularly clever photo of Domini from below using some strange lens which makes the hulls look like sharks. It’s called “Boaty Shark Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo.” And those of you with kids or grandkids under the age of two will get that.
And a last minute entry from Ju called Cattuccino.
And the winner is….
Jeremy!!!
Congratulations. You win the opportunity to take the crew of Domini out for a slap up meal somewhere in Central London.
And just time for a gratuitous sunset…
Or is it a sunrise?
And that really is it.
Bye for now Boatbloggers®
Ju, Lyn, Jeremy and Nicole.
Oh – and in case you were wondering, a swarm of jellyfish is called a smack of jellyfish.
Not a lot of people know that.
ลาก่อน
PS this one’s for James. We finally got to see a green flash!
(The End- Ed)