Back in Thailand

We left Tioman and returned to Pattaya in Thailand to take part in the final race of the Simpson marine series. We had unfinished business as El Coyote (the boat we have been racing on) was joint second in the series. Either through skilled sailing and new sails or through manipulation of results, we are delighted to report that El Coyote finished second overall. Terrific prize giving with as usual swanky food and too much alcohol in lovely surroundings. We are very lucky, sailing on a fabulous boat with great people, in a fabulous part of the world. We have to keep pinching ourselves.
Since the racing finished, we have done some cruising and larking around, including Skipper Gary drinking Garry under the table one night.
Pictures below of some of our recent experiences.


This was a beautiful, brand new catamaran being launched on the beach as it was too big to launch in the marina. Quite a complicated job with a digger a bulldozer and a tractor building a temporary roadway. The boat was left on the beach for the tide to come in and float it away.
Later the same day, this is the boat now in the marina. We were invited aboard for drinks and snacks and a look round. There was everything you could think of, fridge, freezer, underwater lights and remote controls for everything. Rather nice! (the owner is married though).

This is a monk blessing someone's new pick up truck outside our local pub. You can also see in the foreground a typical Thai family outing - four up on a motorbike, including 2 children! In view of this Thai culture, Garry has been honing his motorbike skills and is now able to ride with one passenger, 2 bags of laundry, a slab of beer and a box of wine. Still not as good as the locals though.

We don't think this bus was blessed. Can you spot the parking error?

This is a brand new Jeanneau built by our friend, Gary Baguley. It comes in a kit form that you have to put together (like Ikea furniture). It took them two weeks and looks great and goes fast.

We did a spot of sightseeing and visited the Sanctuary of Truth, a completely wooden Temple with lots of carvings.

The dolphins at the Temple have just had a baby, so you may just be able to spot the tiny fin in the background - just three weeks old.

Some sailing races are harder than others! This was the final race which was a very nice cruise up and down the beach.

This day was proper cruising, we went out to a deserted island for lunch. A couple of guys from another boat swam over to see us and partake of lunch and a few beers and as you can see a fun day was had by all.
Garry inspired by the Olympic diving.
Tony - going in backwards (although he had to do it a few times until he was in the photo).

See the yacht they swam from in the background.

Have fun

Bye for now

Sailing on the high seas - Phuket to Tioman

Sorry the Words and Pictures are all over the place this time. I think we've had too much beer. Words and Pictures hmm good name for a marketing company, perhaps? (In Joke for Arco readers).

We're sending this update from the most incredible island paradise. We're in Tioman a small island off the coast of Malaysia. This is apparently one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world. The film "South Pacific" was filmed here even though it's not in the South Pacific, it's actually in the South China seas! The story of how we got here is as follows;

We met Captain Jim at the Phuket Regatta and he was looking for crew to sail on his 42ft yacht from Phuket to Tioman. Remington is a beautiful Italian built sloop and we have travelled approximately 700 miles on her, sailing via Singapore.

We spotted this monkey eating an icecream on Tioman island. Not sure if he stole it or queued like the rest of us. He seemed to prefer the cone to the icecream.

This is the M25 or Singapore Straits. Traffic is very busy and rather imposing when only 50 feet away. Captain Jim is at the helm.
This is Garry with his injury. Slipped on deck and grazed his knee. Alison offered to stitch it but the offer was refused!
This was the entertainment at Sebana Cove. Surprisingly the bar was empty! This may have been to do with their singing abilities.
Singapore Slings in Raffles.
Arrival at Tioman Island. Truly an island paradise.

Garry at the helm during a rainstorm, Alison and Jim giving instructions from down below.
Was this a friendly Malaysian fishing boat or a pirate in disguise, one of two boats circling us when we ran out of fuel.
The beautiful yacht Remington.
Raffles Lighthouse as we sailed past.

A view of the bridge at Langkawi. You reach this by cable car and there are lovely views over the island.
Jim and Garry having a well deserved sun downer on Remington
Garry, the galley slave preparing an evening meal.
Sunset as we set sail out of Lomut, Malaysia.
Alison watching the compass bearings whilst helming.

Description of how the journey went below.

Leg One - Phuket to Langkawi.

Motor Sailed due to wind in the wrong direction. Cooked spicy fish Gumbo with some great Tuna that Jim had in the fridge.

Langkawi.

Spent most of the day doing admin whilst moored in a beautiful marina. In the afternoon, we Leg One -Phuket to Langkawi took a little trip up a cable car for the views over the island. Ate chicken fajitas on board.

Leg Two- Langkawi to Port Dickson

We left Langkawi and had to motorsail, as once again the winds were against us. The journey was estimated to take 40 hours, however there was a small problem with the engine. It decided too stop working just as we were about to refuel. For this reason, we changed course, direction Lomut and sailed, in great winds for 20 miles in the opposite direction. So some good does come from everything, no engine but beautiful sailing. Cooked mash potato and fried fish. The next

night we ate in an Italian restaurant and met a lovely waitress called Ambulance. That wasn't her real name!

Leg Three- Lomut to Port Dickson

With the engine fixed, we set off in the evening, to motor sail through the night and the next day into Port Dickson. At dawn, we had some unusual weather (see photo) and a surprise at around lunchtime when we ran out of fuel. We think the new fuel pump was causing the boat to burn more fuel than normal. The interesting part of this is the two Malaysian fishing vessels, circling us like vultures in the water when we were not able to move. Alison thought they might be pirates, Garry and Jim thought they may want to tow us ashore. We made it into Port Dickson in time to watch the grand Prix. The only problem we had was that Garry had run out of cigars.

Leg Four- Port Dickson to Water Islands

Motor sailed to the Water Islands and anchored overnight in fairly choppy conditions. Garry still hadn't bought any more cigars. Cooked Tuna and rice with a Greek side salad.

Leg Five - Water Islands to Bisang

Motor sailed to Bisang and anchored for a more peaceful night. Ran out of beer and still no cigars so we retired to watch a video on the 'puter. Captain Jim did us proud with some home made pop corn.

Leg Six - Bisang to Sebana Cove

Motor sailed through the busy Singapore Straits and past the Raffles lighthouse. The M25 equivalent on the ocean! This time enough wind in the right direction to put the sails up and sail into Sebana Cove. Garry slipped on deck and cut his knee (see photo).

Singapore

Popped over to Singapore where we went to Little India for a fabulous curry breakfast (Dal and Roti) then over to Raffles Hotel (as you do) for a Singapore Sling (see photo).

Leg Seven - Sebana Cove to Tioman

Left late in order to benefit from favourable tides. Sailed dead downwind, with around fifteen knots of wind, so we were flying, regularly hitting 9 knots of boat speed. Arrived in Tioman at 4 a.m. and now enjoying the scenic countryside and a few cigars. On the way cooked a very simple Pasta and Pesto with no side salad!