DAY 29 - Saturday 6 March - Koh Miang, Similans
Met ashore at 10am and headed up the 350m adventure walk to the lookout. It turned out to be quite an adventure trail with ropes in places with which to pull yourself up (like absailing in places) then through a cleft between two boulders, more ropes and a ladder but it was worth it. The view was amazing. Had a swim at the little beach and snorkelled back to our boat. Actually saw some beautiful coral. A lot of the coral has been damaged - possibly anchor chains but it is a National Park now so no anchoring and much to Peter's chagrin - no fishing! At 5pm we went to shore and walked to the Sunset View. This is on the other side of the island past all the little tents and up another trail. Not as bad as this morning. Came out on a rocky ledge with no apparent access to the beach. We were soon joined by lots of other people and watched the sun set. Then it was a fast walk back to the dinghies before it got too dark.
DAY 30 - Sunday 7 March - Koh Miang, Similans
Took the dinghy across to the other side of the bay and had a snorkel but it wasn't that good so came back and snorkelled back to our boat. The fish are amazing - so colourful and every time we go in we see a type of fish we haven't seen before. Also saw a moray eel and Dell was quickly into the dinghy but ventured back in after a while. Dell went to get in the water from the dinghy and got the leg of her swimmers caught on a knob on the dinghy and was hanging upside down from till Peter came round to rescue her!!! We have discovered a shower ashore so had a shower and then had sundowners on the beach with Single Malt, Kristie 1, Cilantro and Jacana II.
DAY 31 - Monday 8 March - Koh Miang, Similans
Had a quiet day reading and Peter made some bread. Dell had a snorkel off the back of the boat around 4pm and saw the biggest fish ever - blue with black spots. Quiet night watching all the lights from the scuba divers make their way along the island. Its quite spooky seeing scuba divers below you when you are snorkelling!
DAY 32 - Tuesday 9 March - Koh Mian, Similans
Snorkelled to the beach then walked across the island to another little beach which wasn't very interesting. Tried to get back across the rocks but couldn't get down so we walked back the way we came and snorkelled back to our boat. At 4.30 we snorkelled to the beach (saw a big eel in the rocks), showered and had sundowners on the beach. Jacana II had left in the morning.
DAY 33 - Wednesday 10 March - Koh Miang, Similans
Having trouble leaving. Dell suffering a bit from too much exercise - very tired so had an easy day.
DAY 34 - Thursday 11 March - Koh Miang to Ao Bang Thao
08°01.650N 098°17.116E
Awoke at around 4.30am with the boat bouncing up and down and a strong wind from the South East - not good! Single Malt left at 4.30am and Cilantro left at 6.10 followed by Kristie at 6.20. One of the moorings close to the beach with a tourist boat on it broke the mooring and headed for the beach - they just managed to get off in time. We got away at 6.30 with the wind on the nose and punching into 2m seas all the way and at times we were only doing 2.5knots. The wind shifted direction to NW (good angle) about 2.30 so we were able to make some time up - got in at 5.20pm - an 11 hour day!! We handsteered the entire way as we didn't want to risk the autopilot. Just after we anchored and Cilantro got in it poured rain so we showered in the rain and Peter put up the rain catcher and we got a couple of jerries of water. A lovely peaceful night.
Miles: 54 Total: 5,797
DAY 35 - Friday 12 March - Ao Bang Thao to Patong Beach
We left at 9am heading for Patong to do some shopping. Nice bit of breeze heading under headsail. Arrived at 11am and headed to shore to the wet market and bought heaps of lovely fruit and vegetables and then to the supermarket. Staggered back fully laden to the boat and sat and watched the mad jetskiers speeding about suffering the roll as they speed past the yachts as close as they can to have a look. There always seems to be one bully who tries to play dodgems with the others. Can't imagine how many people must get hurt doing this. At 6pm Braveheart, Cilantro, Kristie and we converged on the shore and went out to dinner and then to our favourite bar where we all played the hit the nail in the wood with the pick handle. Was an ok night but not as much fun as last week!!
Miles: 10 Total: 5,807
Just a follow up on the leaving the beach last week with the engine roaring in the surf. It seems that James was loath to put the engine into gear until Peter got in the dinghy and Peter didn't want to get in till the dinghy was moving so it was a case of too many skippers!!!
Still trying to organise our year - will let you know when we get it sorted!!
Love and Cheers
Fair winds and calm seas
Dell and Peter
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