The End of the Year is Nigh... sigh...

We are starting to feel that we could sail the route between Langkawi and Phuket blindfolded!! After several weeks back in Phuket we suddenly discovered that doing a visa run to the Thai/Burmese border by road would no longer give us another 30 days to enjoy Thailand as well as haul out for necessary boat work. Instead we would receive only 15 days. We usually arrive in Thailand with a 60-day visa which may be extended to 90 days. However, this time we didn’t deem it necessary as we proposed to do one visa run and then leave for the Andaman Islands. Oh, well, the best laid plans...

The good news though is that during our short stay in Thailand, most of the varnishing has been redone on Tweed’s teakwork and she is looking a bit spiffier than when we left in August. As well as spending time anchored off Yacht Haven Marina, where we were able to catch up with cruising buddies, we also anchored for a few nights at Panwa Bali in Chalong Bay where we had good protection from the prevailing constant gusty north easterly winds. We were able to swim and go ashore for a meal if we wanted where there are several local style restaurants serving great Thai food.

Large Thai Fishing Vessel

So here we are back in Langkawi once more. This seemed to be the simplest solution – sail to Langkawi and check in to Malaysia, have a day of shopping and refuelling, then check out and sail back to Phuket in time for Christmas (we hope). Our passage this time took in Ko Phi Phi Don (caught one bonito on the way), Ko Muk (caught another bonito) and Ko Tarutao (caught another 80cm mackerel, so the average is improving), arriving in Telaga on Thursday 18 December.

In the waters between Ko Muk and Ko Tarutao there are literally thousands of fish traps marked with a float and a coloured flag. A constant watch has to be maintained to avoid the possibility of getting the rope caught in the propeller or, worse still, catching the fishing lure on one. We have done this twice and each time have been able to turn the boat round and unhook it before losing our gear.

Steering clear of another fishing float

With one week to Christmas Day we have our time cut out as Friday in Langkawi is their ‘weekend’ and the shops we need to get to are closed. The plan is to refuel on Friday, hire a car on Saturday and leave on Sunday which should see us back in Thailand by the 24 December.