16 - 22 January Marina life

Rex1
Mon 27 Jan 2014 01:51
After Mitch and Elle flew home, we resumed our normal boat activities after being out for a few weeks - washing, cleaning and re-organising the boat. I booked flights home for Greg for 22 Jan which left us with 1 week to make decisions about installing the new lithium batteries and getting quotes for the sun covers and new lounge upholstery in the saloon. Dadang and Greg also had to buy a new kitchen sink tap to replace the one we broke while at Phi Phi. Thankfully we had a fresh water tap that operated using a foot pump so we still could access cold water in the galley.

Greg and Dadang hired a car and went to Phuket town to discuss the batteries and to visit various chandleries. The boys are absolutely addicted to a massive hardware store called Watsadu (Thai version of Bunnings) and they also visited Rolly Tasker Sails which is one of the biggest sail lofts in the world - they had about 100 employees (and only 2 men) who were busy sewing and making sails. Unfortunately while in town they got a flat tyre and there wasn't a jack in the car, so they borrowed one off a local man in one of the busiest parts of Phuket. And then the car hire place wouldn't replace the spare until we paid for the new tyre, needless to say that didn't go down well with Greg and some Alison diplomacy was in order!

I went to the local village to pick up my clothes from the Muslim dressmaker called Suda and also met her sister Azziza. She spoke English very well and asked if I could help teach her more English and if I was interested in learning about Thai cooking. So of course I said yes and we are planning a cooking day at her home at the end of the month.

We took our Swedish friends, Monica and John to the local Nai Yang markets which Monica really enjoyed - she said it reminded her of the real Thailand she had visited over 40 years ago. Monica, Dadang and I had a massage while John and Greg went to the bar next door, followed by dinner at an Indian restaurant. Greg still cannot believe how small the portion sizes are in Asia and in particular with meat dishes!

Greg was excited about the new batteries and he had arranged for them to be installed on Monday, 20 Jan. James from Octopus Electrical took two days to set them up but we had to wait for the new alternator and battery charger to arrive (which would be after Greg leaves for Oz) before the job could be completed. So Greg gave Dadang and I strict instructions on what was required with the rest of the install.

The two quotes from local suppliers to make 2 sun covers, winch covers, a kayak cover and to upholster the lounges in leather were very reasonable and work will start on these in the first week of February.

The weather in the marina has been really pleasant in the mornings and evenings - about 24 degrees and getting to about 32 during the day and often with some sea breeze. So comfortable after being in the stifling heat of Malaysia last year. It has definitely been hotter in Australia than in Thailand.

We've visited our local Thai restaurant (again a loose term) for dinner a few times since returning. It is attached to a small convenience shop that doesn't even have a name. It is run by a Muslim lady who is very friendly and a great cook. Not many of the yachties go to this one because they don't have an English menu. However we love it - we now know to ask what she has fresh that day (Fish, prawns, chicken, beef etc) and then we tell her how we would like it done and it is cooked to order. If she gets busy she simply calls a lady 2 doors away who comes to help her cook. The price is about $5 each for dinner. One night we arrived at 8.30 and the doors were closed, so we went into the shop and she was there and happily opened the restaurant for us and cooked our dinner - now that's service, so we love supporting her.

Greg left Thailand on Wednesday night via Kuala Lumpur and I had booked him on Air Asia - thankfully all his flights were good and he arrived back home on Thursday afternoon. He was impressed with Air Asia, especially after his last experience with budget airline Scoot from Singapore (11 hour delay!). Life will be a bit quieter now with just Dadang and I on board.