2018 and The Blog continues

"The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings then endings"– Dave Weinbaum

2018 started with our return journey from Thailand back to Malaysia. 
It also meant the recovery of the Blog finally so time to update quite a few happenings.

New Year’s Eve was marked with the usual stunning sunset and, as midnight is way beyond us, early champagne.

The sunsets never fail to amaze

Champagne in stunning locations

A friend had given us the coordinates for the ‘island with no name’ so that was to be our last beach side stop in Thailand. We all thoroughly enjoyed the layover, food and scenery. (…I give you the location)

Sinh always enjoys the views

The secret location

Beachside bar and restaurant

Easy access for the dinghy

Beachside relaxation

Timmy always wants his cuddles

At our anchorage at Bidan, enroute back to Langkawi, we answered a knock on the hull totally surprised! A group of young people were on their way camping through Thailand in a dinghy. I suppose that is one way of doing it but we will stick to the creature comforts of Tientos.

This is how these guys are seeing Thailand

Our trusty Navman Chart Plotter, installed in 2004, was recently being hard to navigate (pardon the pun) and we knew it was on a one-way street to failure, as was our Navman Fish Finder.  This trip was to be its final gasp but the Raymarine Radar/Plotter we installed in 2012 is continuing on now as the primary plotter. 

It lasted well for 14 years through 6 countries

Back in Langkawi, we needed to arrange a Vet for the boys’ annual vaccinations. Getting three cats to a vet is a logistical nightmare, but luckily Dr Kas from 
Schrödinger Veterinary Clinic (yep,named after the paradox) is happy to come aboard at anchor. Keith collected her from the Clinic, and we enjoyed dinner after the cats were finished their terror moment. 

Dr Kas and the needles

We also purchased, from Asiatic Marine, a new Raymarine Dragonfly Fish Finder to replace the dying sounder and lo and behold, it also comes with a plotter!  I love multi-tasking devices!

The shopping completed in Langkawi we headed to Crystal Beach for some relaxation time before heading to Pangkor Marina for yet another haul out.

Crystal Beach has always been one of our favourite anchorages

The 4 day trip to Pangkor from Langkawi was its normal boring voyage without surprises and it was, with some relief, we anchored opposite the Marina beside this beautiful Mosque.

We berthed in the Marina just in time for Australia Day and of course, the obligatory lamb at our favourite German Kitchen & Bar. 

Dressed for Australia Day

Roast Lamb 

May all your bars be wooden and well-stocked!

Thailand revisited

"Year's end, all corners of this floating world, swept" Matsuo Basho

The last two months have seen us end the year back in Thailand where we started in January and, of course, at the same bar.

Our normal Chang beer and a Margarita

One of our favourite anchorages is Patwa and of course the famous Beach Bar.  It is also a favourite yachtie hang out to watch the sunsets over a cold libation. 

The evening sunsets are spectacular

Mr Pi and his doppelganger

Another yachties hang out

From this anchorage we can clear in/out, shop and do all the touristy stuff without having to endure Ao Chalong and all the fast boats!

We finally got to see the Big Buddha!

Tientos is down there somewhere

It was time for visiting old haunts and finding new anchorages and we actually managed to have a sail occasionally. Remembering our previous visits from 2006 the quality of both the water and the coral has deteriorated and the tourist numbers seem overwhelming. 

Swimming is now all limited by nets 

The boat food is still just as good 

Hey we actually managed a sail or two

The Chicken Islands where we pay to go ashore

There were strong NE winds which made the West Coast a little uncomfortable before the change of the Monsoon so we didn’t get to see this area…oh well next time. Having said that, we are quite over this area with hoon boats, dirty water, and tourists,so it may be time for a sea change and head east.  However yachtie plans are always written in the sand at high tide...
We did see the tail end of the King’s Cup at Kata Noi and some yachts like very big courtesy flags!

Now that is a courtesy flag!

Forget the endless days of sunshine, palm trees and cocktails….on a boat, there is continually maintenance in exotic locations and Keith managed to paint another section of the navigation area.  Sadly it also looks like our 3rd haul out in 12 months coming up as the anti-foul we used in February is sheeting off. 

Part of the navigation area painted...slowly getting there

Always checking the terminals and leads

The yacht cats still enjoy their cruising life afloat with ever-changing views and undivided attention. Sinh of course is always supervising something.

Sinh supervising the sail set

Bennett is always more interested in cuddles

With Xmas coming, the freezer was stocked, the tree put up and we headed for a quiet anchorage to enjoy.

The tree is up...more for the catz pleasure we think 

May all your bars be wooden and well-stocked!