PHI PHI DON
WEDNESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2007
The contrast this visit is amazing. It is a neap tide so we don’t see it with the tide right out and there is no wind.
The landscaping where we land in the dinghy has been tidied up and it seems like a lively, well kept place and also looks beautiful.
After farewelling the Joneses on the ferry to Phuket, we go in search of a Thai massage. This is a lovely experience; a combination of being very relaxed and great fun with the 6 of us lined up in a row.
Margie and Neil choose a “local” meal tonight so we return to the recommended tin shed we came to when last here – we are not disappointed. The green curry is a great favourite and costs less than $7 each, including the beer. Here the family cat goes into the large commercial fridge for a few hours to cool off! We can see it through the glass door.
THURSDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2007
This morning we head off in a long boat (the 4 Melletts’ crew and the 4 of us) to Phi Phi Le. This saves moving the yachts and it is more of a local experience. Our boatman is a lovely young man and it is fascinating to see the engine he works with. Luckily, it’s not as noisy as most of its kind.
This is an unspoiled island with wonderful swimming and snorkelling in exquisitely clear waters. The colours are light turquoise through to indigo. At one point we swim ashore and, clinging onto ropes, pull ourselves along the rocks and up through an opening which opens out to a path through tropical areas across to the other side of the island, which opens out to a magnificent beach (where “the Beach” was filmed). What a paradise!
Getting back to the boat wasn’t so much fun for some of us. Robbie and Kate were knocked by a wave getting back across the rocks, and I was knocked under for a while by the next one. We think a large boat must have gone by just then and set up these few large, strong waves.
We had a farewell lunch with Margie and Neil on Impulsive before seeing them off on the ferry to further their Asian travels. 
Farewelling Marg and Neil
We are going to miss our 4 crew – it has been such a special time having them. Also, having all these exploring minds on board we don’t leave much unvisited, whether it be the best places to take the yacht, local villages, restaurants and local cuisine, and for the girls – the shops!
Farewelling Marg and NeilI can’t believe that going back to Impulsive I misjudged getting out of the dinghy and fall in! It would have just been funny, except I had the camera. Perhaps my judgement is below par – Ross said he thinks I went into slight shock after the rock incident. Anyhow, we have a light omelette on the boat for dinner, and a long sleep, and I feel like a new person in the morning.
It is very relaxing to think all our long and major sailing is behind us until next February. We are planning just to cruise in Thailand for a few weeks.
FRIDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2007
We head off to the southern end of Ko Yao Yai, and venture by dinghy up the river to a Muslim fishing village. The houses are on stilts in this small tropical village and there aren’t many people about. It is very hot here so it is a quick visit. After another beautiful snorkel at Ko Kai Nok, with its great diversity of fish, we venture to Ko Nakha Yai to anchor overnight. It is flat calm here and another magnificent sunset, followed by a creative dinner on Free Spirit.
SATURDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2007
This morning we explore another Hong on the west side of Ko Phanak. This is a great adventure through a long, dark tunnel in the dinghy using a torch, through to a beautiful lagoon. It feels as if you are in a James Bond movie! These hongs were apparently first discovered in the 1990’s. We have to row back to the yacht due to motor troubles in the dinghy but this is probably a good move as several dolphins come and swim across our bow.
Anchored to the north east of this island we swim into a small beach. We have just brought fresh prawns here from a local couple in a long boat, which we cook for a delicious salad lunch. This beach is so idyllic we plan to return here and, hopefully, buy more prawns to barbecue on the beach.
Late afternoon we venture into Yacht Haven marina. On the way we notice a long boat with several men waving flags. At first we turn our boat away thinking we are disturbing their fishing nets but soon realize they have motor problems. They are very pleased to have a tow back to their village.
This evening we join the Melletts at Ban Ram Pa for a special banquet dinner to farewell Andrew and Kate. We always enjoy having the stimulation of the young, so its been great fun having their company this week.
From here we go to Chedi at Surin Beach on the north-west coast of Phuket for a couple of days of R&R off the boat. This is a wonderful place by the beach, where you have your own cottage with a marvellous view. We spend one day taking a Thai cooking course. We observe first, then cook it ourselves, then sit down to a delicious lunch. During the afternoon the chef and her off-sider (and translator), take us to the market to learn where to buy all the ingredients to enhance all the delicate flavours of Thai cooking. We are looking forward to trying all this on the boat!
With renewed vigour we return to Impulsive to tend to various issues. We are now the proud owners of a new dinghy and engine – the old one was actually leaking and the engine had been damaged so it really wasn’t safe any more. All through Asia it is a treat to have work done on the boat, e.g. the stainless steel work, as it is so cheap. ($17 per day which is incredible). It is very hot here so we are very pleased to have air-conditioning.
There are several great restaurants in the area (again very cheap). There are some by the beach where you can have your feet in the sand and another excellent seafood one on stilts.
It actually takes us four days to organize the boat to leave again. The time just disappears when doing this. It is interesting to note that Ross and Phil are asked to wear shirts when they run to show respect for Muslim Ramadam.
