March 2018
Saturday the 19 May and we finally departed Yachthaven Phuket!! After two and half years we slipped our lines and motored out of our birth with mixed feelings. We had become immersed in the community and formed some great friendships, and there is comfort in familiarity. Knowing the people and being able to source most things for the boat is a plus. A lot of work has been done on Kanaloa but you have to stop eventually, and , well, leave. The timing also seemed right as there have been some big changes at the marina and with that a change in the whole vibe of the place.
The week before we left was a blur of farewells and leaving dos for ourselves and other people from the marina. Morg had also become the proud owner of an Open Bic sailing skiff which we had delivered down from Pattaya the week before we left. So, amongst everything else we had to find the time to get out on this. It’s a lot of fun, light and fast and designed to take an ideal weight of 60kgs. The perfect vessel for learning the dynamics of sailing. Morgan is very comfortable in it-and out -as he loves to spend time in the water so manages to capsize it a fair bit. Even I’m having a great time sailing it.
The first day we motored down to PhiPhi for the night. We have anchored there several times now but never actually been ashore. Doesn’t really appeal to us, as its a tourist mecca but we use it as a convenient stop over anchorage down to Langkawi. Still Morg and I had a nice snorkel at Monkey Bay where we spotted a creepy moray eel and our kayak got overtaken by baby monkeys. They were very playful, even climbing up my legs and pulling my bikini down. Nice.
Up at 5.30 next morning for a long run down to the bottom of Tarutao where we arrived at dusk. Again, a motor down as no wind. Early to bed and another early start to Kuah. We decided to try this marina instead of Rebak, as customs etc is only a 5 min walk away and we had to get all this done before Warren jumped on a plane back to NZ that same night. Once in Kuah and checked in Milly came down to see Morg and their 2 week play date began. They had a great time together, organising their own schedules and advising the parents of where they were going to sleep etc. So with a mix of swimming, trips around Kuah, breakfasts at the famous Smiling Buffalo Café, movies and lots of lego, 2 weeks skipped by and it was a sad farewell to Milly, Jane and Tricky as they (having sold their catamaran Ananda) flew off to Spain to travel around on wheels instead of hulls. Probably a very wise manoeuvre.
Our planned departure to Singapore has been delayed though as Warren has had to go back home again, after returning to the boat for 2 weeks. But still it’s a bit easier for Morg and I here with other kids around and quick access to town and activities. Lots of boat boys around Langkawi so he is not short of playtime.
Jamming at Rebak
Rebak still has a boaties jam session playing on Friday night so we and other keen music friends pile into the car and head over for music and drinks while the kids play around.
Boat and weather permitting we hope to be away from here this week (today is the 1 July) and head for the Anambas as quick as possible. Very squally weather at the moment so not sure I want to be doing any night sailing in that along with playing dodgems down the Malacca Straits. We do have 2 crew joining us for a while, Marta, a Polish geologist with sailing experience. I can imagine the conversations that will transpire having 2 passionate geologists on board…………………….yawn (Did I really type that).
Guilluame, (I have no idea how to pronounce this) is French Canadian from Sydney who will join us for a few weeks before his job starts in August. He is a surfer and rock climber so will be handy to have a mast monkey on board. Be nice to have a bit of a mix of people, although it may take a bit of getting used to as have had the boat to ourselves for so long. Anyway I have sewn up all the holes in Warrens boxers. (TMI?-probably).
I am very ready to depart SE Asia. The rubbish/plastic in the water depresses me. I long for clean waters untainted by crap. Personally I don’t think global warming is going to be our biggest problem, the plastic in the oceans and land that is getting into our food chains is going to kill everyone before GW does. And on that happy note I will leave you and hopefully the next update will be when we are on the move. Please think twice before you drink out of that next plastic straw.