FRIDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2007

Ross and Phil have to return to Ao Chalong to do all the immigration and customs forms. We have to leave the marina as close to midday as we can to catch the tide or we can’t leave until the following day.

It is wonderful to have the Joneses and the Williamses on board. We set off to Ko Khai Noh Island. (Today we just have short sails planned so they can all find their “sea legs”.) This is a beautiful small island with white sand and sensational snorkelling over the fringing reef. We all snorkel together, which is just a lovely experience.

Next we head to Ko Rang Yai Island which will provide a protected anchorage for the night. We are warned not to swim off the boat here because of the strong current. We have evidence of this when Margie’s hat blows over. Ross and I try to retrieve it in the dinghy but it disappears very quickly. It apparently posed a challenge to the four crew left on the boat trying to work out how to sail the yacht if our dinghy motor failed!

SATURDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2007

We go ashore the next morning because Robbie said she had bought some beautiful and inexpensive pearls when last here five years ago. So we girls went ashore with great expectations.

Unfortunately, the prices have sky rocketed, but it is fun looking. We end up staying for lunch in a sheltered spot out of the rain and then head north to anchor off Koh Phanak for the night. It is still raining.

SUNDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2007

The following morning we head off at 5.30 a.m. to visit a “Hong” at Koh Hong Island. It is a beautiful, calm and serene morning. We have to arrive at low tide in order to get into the cave and through to its enclosed pool. The rain comes in again but it is exciting to get inside and the steep densely vegetated walls of the Hong are beautiful in these conditions. Perhaps it is better to see it this way rather than in picture book sunshine.

The plan is to sail down to Koh Racha Yai. We enjoy good sailing conditions for a couple of hours but then a squall comes in producing heavy driving rain and winds up to 30 knots. So we change plan and head instead into Ao Chalong where we anchor safely amongst lots of moored boats. The plan is to go ashore and meet the Melletts at a favourite restaurant of theirs at Patong Beach (Baan Rin Pa). Getting ashore by dinghy is great fun. It is still raining and there is not much freeboard with six in the dinghy (which is leaking). So we go ashore in bare essentials with clothes wrapped in plastic bags, drag the dinghy up the beach, change in an improvised shelter, find a taxi (for six) and head off for what turns out to be a great meal overlooking the Patong Beach.

MONDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2007

It is still raining (wish it would stop) but we set off south for Koh Racha Yai and have good wind for sailing. The anchorage on the north-east side (amongst many trawlers) is sheltered, the weather clears, the snorkelling is good and there is a walk across the island. This is more like it! We find that the Raya Resort will cook dinner so the ten of us have a wonderful (and inexpensive) meal there. The island is so good we decide to spend an extra day here rather than at Phi Phi.

Jones and Williams crewing - Lee bailing

Koh Racha Yai

View from Raya resort

TUESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2007

It is a good decision. The weather brightens even more, we snorkel again and see a turtle, scrub the bottom of the boat, have another good lunch on board, go ashore for another walk and a swim at the surf beach on the west side of the island and arrange to eat at the same little restaurant again. This is definitely an island to return to.

WEDNESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2007

We set off reasonably early for Phi Phi.

Phi Phi Don
Neil, Russell and Ross

The wind has dropped out so we motor in calm conditions and with some assistance from the current see up to 10.5 knots speed over the ground. Russell and Lee are leaving us here so we will arrive in time for a swim and to arrange transport for them back to Phuket and, hopefully, a special farewell lunch after six most memorable and fun days.