West coast of Phuket
|
8.40N 97.39E Monday 4th February,
2013 We’ve had an interesting few days, not entirely perfect.
Only breakdown is the port side electric winch which I’ve yet to look at and a
fuel line which came adrift and was easy to put back (I’d put it on in the first
place). Two problems with the West coast of Phuket, jetskis and
waves. On one beach there were no fewer than 6 morons whizzing
past everyone at 30+ knots making huge amounts of wash and noise. They are just
like, and have the mentality of, insects which are very noisy and annoying but
go home at sunset. Sadly they are not killed by DEET but every time one kills
himself I cannot resist a small cheer. C wanted to go to a very posh beach
restaurant for lunch but I was unenthusiastic mainly because of the noise of the
jetskis. We’ve had 2 very rolly nights, both so bad we could
barely sleep. Last night we found a nice place in the Similian Islands (no 8 for
those with charts, number 4 was awful). There are dozens of tripper boats full of
Russians and Koreans which come all through the day but I don’t mind them,. By
sheer chance we got to a restaurant before the lunch gong went; when it did hoards of them descended on
the pre-paid buffet (C was nearly arrested for pinching a desert spoon of rice
for her chicken curry). Staying here all day today just mending little things and
watching the masses. Apparently National Park Rangers demand £12 a day but a) C
says it’s worth it for the buoys and b) we haven’t seen any
yet. K It is lovely just to be out of the marina and at sea
again. For 2 days we had lots of wind on the beam and had some really good
sailing. I think I am beginning to work out where the swell is coming from so
hopefully we can avoid the rolly nights. Also the famous Phuket beaches with
jetskis and paragliders. Definitely better viewed from
afar. Next week we will go back to the E. side which has small
islands with cliffs and caves. The beach here is empty before 9a.m. and after 3.30p.m. I
am very happy to be able to swim from the boat and avoid all the sand and
trippers. The problem with the Russian holidaymakers is that they don’t smile or
laugh. Weird. C |