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Firefly - Australia Day at Nai Yang Bay plus a Russian Rescue



It is Wednesday 27th January and Firefly has just left Nai Yang Bay after riding out some strong easterly winds. We are not used to having much wind in SE Asia and are glad that we could position ourselves close in to a west facing beach giving us great protection. There was good holding for the anchor in about 6 metres of water over sand with little or no swell coming in. With a pretty beach, lower key tourism and a great local market it was not surprising that we had about 15 other yachts for company. There was also one that dwarfed all of the others - 'Vertigo' a 67 metre ketch (220 feet!) that according to our neighbours, Denise and Peter, on Reverie, belongs to Rupert Murdoch.

Yesterday was Australia Day and despite being 'pommes' we were invited to a lunch time BBQ on the beach to celebrate. The 15 or so Aussies (Rupert did not attend) were very welcoming and we were not the only 'foreigners' as there were a few others from the UK and New Zealand. Having a day dedicated to your country seemed like a good idea and in an amongst discussions about cruising around Thailand we had an interesting debate about the Republican movement in Australia. The Aussies were all sure they will discard our Monarchy at some time soon. Apparently their previous vote some years ago was cleverly arranged by pro Royalist former Prime Minister Howard, hence the reason the Queen continues as their Head of State.

Meeting up with other cruisers who already know this area is very useful for picking up all kinds of information. Our plan is to spend the next few weeks heading north up to the Mayamar (Burmese) border and everyone we spoke to assured us that this part of Thailand is a beautiful area. Our initial impressions of cruising in Thailand had not been that good; this was due to a combination of things; lingering jetlag, several of the places we visited early on were overrun with tourists and this part of the world is notably hotter than other places we have cruised so far and when there was no wind it was uncomfortable - you just have to find shade and breeze even if its only from the numerous 12 volt electric fans installed down below. However, its great to be able to report that its cooled down a bit and we are starting to really enjoy it here - which is good as we came a long way to get here!

The other thing that helps is that as with almost everyone we have met in all the SE Asia countries we have visited so far, the Thai people are very friendly. Checking in with Thai Customs and Immigration at Ao Chalong a week ago was easy and even strangely enjoyable as the officials were just so nice. Every time we go ashore to a cafe, shop or just to walk on a beach we are always welcomed with smiles, its great.

Our friends Adrian and Karen from Salcombe have a long history with Phuket and have recently bought a flat out here. During our recent trip back to the UK we had discussed doing some SCUBA diving with 'rooky' Adrian as we would be here at the same time as him. Taking a local dive boat to Koh Racha Noi and Yai, some islands to the south of Phuket and had 3 good easy dives. The water was very clear but the diversity of marine life is limited, clearly affected by the level of tourism around Phuket. A couple of days later we headed and anchored at Ao Bang Thao, this being the bay where their 'Laguna' based flat is located. Sundowner cocktails followed by a fabulous Thai meal at Karen and Adrian's favorite restaurant right on the beach made for a great evening.

The night before we had moored off an island called Koh Po just south of Kata Beach. The wind was blowing offshore and was already force 4 and picking up, the start of the stronger easterly winds. Sitting in the cockpit watching the sun go down we were surprised to see two stand up paddle boarders appear from behind the island. As there were no other boats around it was clear that we would have to help. One of them managed to paddle into the wind and get close enough to ask if we spoke English! Tying his board to Firefly we set off in the dinghy to collect the other person, the guy's girlfriend who was too tired to make it to the yacht. It transpired that they were a young Russian couple and they had set off to take a photo of the sunset and got blown offshore.

We set about working out how to repatriate them to Kata Beach, about a mile away directly into the gusty wind and by now it was dark. They spoke reasonably good English and using their I Phone that they carried in a waterproof backpack, they phoned the guy on the beach who had rented the boards. To help with the communications Paul took over and spoke with the 'Swede' who was somewhat surprised to get the call and only interested in his boards. He had no rescue facilities and despite them being missing no one was out looking for his customers! Fortunately, just as we were preparing to take them ashore in the dinghy a local 'Longtail' boat came close enough for us to attract their attention with a flash lamp. Enthusiastic to help, the 3 Thai guys, one who could surprisingly speak Russian took the couple and the paddle boards onto the Longtail. As the discussion was now conducted in Russian we did not understand much else but they did thank us profusely as they headed off into the breezy night.

Firefly's next destination is the Similan Group of Islands about 45 miles north west of Phuket. The strong easterly winds over the past few days have abated to about 15 knots and we are sailing on a broad reach in flat water at up to 7 knots. We are sailing in company with Reverie and Evolution and will spend several days exploring this 'once' remote group of islands. They are apparently very beautiful with crystal clear water and this attracts large numbers of daily tourists on boat trips from the mainland. There are no natural harbours and only a few suitable anchorages that we are going to investigate. The wind is due to drop later on today and stay light for several days so we don't expect any difficulties but the anchorages are notoriously rolly. From the Similans we will head to the Surin Islands and then onto Ko Phayam the last island before the Mayamar border.

Paul and Susie

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