22 December - 2nd January 2006

Patong and Phuket

I sailed on to Phuket and anchored in Ao Chalong in the night (again). Anchored way out because there was some wind and couldn't make out the yachts through the darkness.

Visited my Thai worker mates for my (39th) birthday party. We went out to a restaurant on a lake and saw a girlie show afterwards. They sing karaoke and wear incredibly high boots, dancing on a stage.

My Thai worker friends on their fishing longtail

I had the boys work for several days for me locating some cork tiles and then cutting and fitting it to the floorboards as the old ones were looking horrible now with large holes worn in from the oil over many years. Looks great now that they have been replaced and varnished.

Also searched for fisherman's anchor and found a yacht with one at Ratanachai. Had a foundry make one up to my modified dimensions. Looks very strong and useable for rocky anchorages.

After the Phang Nga bay trip, Gem, Sarah and I sailed around to Patong for new years eve. Danced in a huge discotech. Down at the beach, I bought a hot air balloon for good luck in our sailing.

After a day to get last minute provisions, water, fuel etc, we were ready to go sailing.

After returning from the internet cafe late at night I was dismayed to find the dinghy filled up with sand and water, the oars were gone and it was buried deep in the sandy beach. Must've copped some waves at high tide and sunk in the shallows. I had miscalculated the height of tide.

Sailed off next morning on a fading wind. Sunny and smooth seas.