Dec 2013

• Tue 10 Dec 19:32

  • Simonstown marina: fraught experience in 40++ knots wind but WE ARE hERE!
  • And into False bay...!!!
  • Winds took us off course- but enjoyed the seals here!
  • Cape Agulhas- woohoo!

• Mon 9 Dec 17:18

  • So close! 60 miles from te southernmost point of Africa: Cape Agulhas
  • Passing Mossel Bay but way off-shore - no coast views this trip!

• Sun 8 Dec 15:19

  • Yellow-fin tuna braai tonight: could not be more fresh! Going well
  • Calm peaceful sail past the Garden Route (too far to see)

• Sat 7 Dec 23:26

  • Bait-ball with dolphins: around us for 2h in dark - luminescimg!
  • On the way - next stop Simonstown hopefully!

• Tue 3 Dec 05:42

  • Anchored at 3am in Buffalo River, East London. Happy!

• Mon 2 Dec 22:38

  • 1 torn sail, 2 tired bodies, 3 hours to East London YAY!
  • Woohoo! 9.5knots - found the Agulhas current!

• Sun 1 Dec 16:49

  • Bye Durban! 24 ships outside, sea state fine, all well
  • And AGAIN we have to swim for the impeller. Cold. Big waves.
  • Exiting R Bay, destination CT (or a weather refuge!)

Oct 2013

• Fri 18 Oct 08:23

  • We are HERE!! Happily settled.... back home in SA!

• Thu 17 Oct 09:04

  • Big night fighting current and SW winds is over, now pushng hard to make late entry to R Bay. PUSHHHH!!!

• Wed 16 Oct 11:35

  • Absolutely flying in strong NE winds, even double reefed; bumping and surfing down waves; a tad hectic... But heading home fast!

• Tue 15 Oct 11:30

  • 2 knots over deep blue under light blue; the music and birds soar. Heaven. NE gales due tonight!

• Mon 14 Oct 12:58

  • At last some blue - sky and sea - and sea just large rollers. Set to stay for a day, then...

• Sun 13 Oct 13:20

  • Ketoro can smell home! - bounding forwards!
  • Driven south by storm winds and big seas; rock and roll seems here to stay!!

• Fri 11 Oct 10:11

  • Half way... rum measures from the skipper!
  • Thurs - Wondrous world! Current less, wind more, dolphins playing, sunset with a green flash. Awed.

• Thu 10 Oct 12:02

  • SO SLOW! Little sailing wind, hideous adverse current, preserving engines - but sea and sky are BEAUTIFUL!

• Wed 9 Oct 11:24

  • Someone fixed the massive potholes and ruts on the sea and things are a tad smoother now, after rough night!

• Tue 8 Oct 06:36

  • All good but fewer smiles in horrible 2kn current against us and as sea builds and gets lumpy again!

• Mon 7 Oct 07:33

  • Today we are being smiled upon: blue swells, blue skies, gentle winds - what a difference in life on board!

• Sun 6 Oct 05:58

  • Big seas yesterday, slightly more comfy today; winds fine; reef line chafed through now repaired on bouncing roof.

• Tue 1 Oct 12:17

  • Tied up in fishing harbour, Le Port des Galettes... Hectic narrow entry with swell, but all good!
  • Rounding the top of Reunion: beautiful steep green island!

Sep 2013

• Mon 30 Sep 08:30

  • Two magnificent Dorado pulled in, then watched whales blowing nearby. Amazed.
  • On our way to Reunion!

• Fri 27 Sep 14:32

  • Mauritius harbour - busy place with huge ships, dozens of Chinese fishing trawlers, tugs... And us! Last visit here.

• Thu 26 Sep 15:03

  • Last night in Grand Bay ever on Ketoro; mixed feelings but ready to go!

• Mon 23 Sep 13:55

  • Merville Bay for perfect waters in our last Mauritius week
  • Gunners Quoin day trip: and surprisingly good snorkelling!
  • Back in Port Louis - Carmen joining us
  • In front of Mom's Ocean Beach Hotel weekend getaway!

• Mon 2 Sep 15:16

  • Merville Beach: an absolutely perfect setting for the most wonderful family reunion

Aug 2013

• Tue 13 Aug 15:50

  • Back in Port Louis to welcome Mark, Livi and Blake on board! Family Max times!!!

• Fri 9 Aug 16:17

  • Grand Baie, a windy base to explore, do boat-work, eat out and have fun!

Jul 2013

• Thu 18 Jul 07:52

  • Ile aux Benitiers channel, after some fraught moments endangering (ourselves and) the reefs around us!

• Tue 16 Jul 04:47

  • Grand Rivière Noire - pretty lagoon framed by bea ches and mountains; fishermen departing in all manner of craft.

• Wed 3 Jul 11:18

  • Stunning! Coin de Mire Island, proud high cliffs, clear seas, beautiful birds above.
  • Grand Baie: big bay, calm flat water, easy beach access- shops and cafes - tourist time!

Jun 2013

• Tue 11 Jun 09:24

  • Home for a while: Caudan Marina - looking over city, mountains, harbour GREAT!
  • Tied to wall at Customs office for formalities, will then move to marina.
  • Rounding tip of northern islands of Mauritius... Will return soon!

• Mon 10 Jun 09:27

  • Whoo hoo... No sail change in 48 hours and nearing the top: the other side has FLAT SEAS!!

• Sun 9 Jun 12:53

  • Indian Ocean here is... well, like the rest: fast and lumpy and big but good sailing winds bowling us along happily.

May 2013

• Sat 25 May 10:43

  • Rodrigues is beautiful! From a distance a green jewel island, now in harbour and people SOO friendly- this will be fun!

• Fri 24 May 12:47

  • Wonderful gentle way to end our passage-fine weather, gentle roll: a sea that we like! Enjoying the breather on the home stretch.

• Thu 23 May 11:29

  • Heavenly! Sailing on calmed seas under constant fair winds, broad reach under the sun to Rodrigues... hope in 2 days.

• Wed 22 May 15:47

  • Tonight the moon is silver on the tops of the watey hills, the wind is great for sailing and... we will make Rodrigues!
  • Some sun, winds 22kn giving us good speed, no suicidal flying fish last night: all going well (if NOISY and BUMPY!)

• Mon 20 May 13:26

  • Going strongly with 18-25 knots on beam (then squalls); could be called boisterous seas; breakdancing crew!! All fine.

• Sun 19 May 09:43

  • Big seas, big waves (currently confused, YUK!), lots rain (soup days!), now good winds... all well on Ketoro!

• Sat 18 May 03:44

  • Oh boy, HORRIBLE seas, winds from every direction, current against, rain, lightning, repairs on cockpit roof. How much fun can there be in a day!?

• Fri 17 May 04:44

  • Fri: east of Great Chagos Banks - great fishing: but they take our lures and we don't eat!
  • Thurs: bye to Chagos, next stop Rodrigues... hopefully...!

• Sat 11 May 12:16

  • Takamaka Island, last stop in Chagos: alone here in the wild remote atoll again, and LOVE it - but leave in 3 days....

Apr 2013

• Sun 28 Apr 16:05

  • Salomon Atoll, the less wild Chagos (but no fishing cos freezer died and we must EAT MEAT!!!

• Wed 24 Apr 07:58

  • Exquisite island anchorage: Ile Diamant. The colours are as in a dream.

• Mon 15 Apr 07:59

  • Escorted into heaven by flocks of frigates and gannets; dolphins in the bows - we are at Chagos!
  • No wind, big current against us.... this is a SLOOOOOW process!

• Sun 7 Apr 08:23

  • Gan, Addu Atoll: remembering our fist time here, 3 years ago - will retrace some steps!
  • Foamullah harbour: fishing with nets at entrance; inside, many crossed light anchor lines of moored fishing boats: easier to spend night at sea!
  • (Yesterday) "Swam" across equator (dragged by boat); champagne; whale alongside, not 10m away. Awed, unnerved, jubilant. Cheers!

• Fri 5 Apr 05:30

  • Faress - Poor second to Kaashido, where we could not anchor, but a good place to fix generator and get ready for Gan.
  • Kaashido: exquisitely beautiful - and could not find a place to anchor safely; had to move on (at speed, before dark...)

• Tue 2 Apr 04:58

  • Back again, 3 years later, to a fantastic place. Melaimu, North Huvadoo Atoll

• Mon 1 Apr 09:30

  • Veymandhoo island: curious locals, ok anchorage, good Short Eats on shore!

Mar 2013

• Sat 30 Mar 10:15

  • Happiness! After yesterday (exhausting night, anchor watches, strong winds) now anchored safely in calm ...SLEEP!

• Wed 27 Mar 07:16

  • Magoodhoo - extraordinary experience: 2 huge manta rays looping and feeding around us for an hour. Amazing.

• Sat 23 Mar 09:17

  • Back in heaven: best snorkelling to our west, soft beach sand for hair salon on east, crystal clear water for boat cleaning below!
  • Great place to access ferry... and this time not anchored with dredger and industrial noise!

• Wed 20 Mar 03:58

  • Dhigurah island lagoon. We are in heaven: beautiful snorkelling, views, peace, no visible inhabitants.
  • Maamigili lagoon; anchored at dusk alongside dredger and channel for resort traffic!! But safe at least.
  • Conrad Rangali Reosrt, man-made harbour, told us not welcome. Had to make haste before sunset to next one...

• Mon 18 Mar 02:50

  • Moofushi Island is absolutely beautiful, and resort wonderfully accommodating of us. 5 Star!

• Sat 16 Mar 03:50

  • Ari Atoll, Halaveli Island... lovely resort and the most wonderful snorkelling!

• Tue 12 Mar 12:59

  • Arrived in Male, processed, ready to go! Yippee!
  • Last morning at sea, we arrive tomorrow. Dolphins up front, beautiful sunrise, a swim: heaven.

• Mon 11 Mar 05:20

  • Amazingly clear blue sea for a lunch STOP and swim. Clearly little wind (but we did hold tight!)
  • Beautiful sailing on rolling, gentle blue seas (after horrrible night weaving around fishing boats). Dorado for supper... and lunch... and supper..

• Fri 8 Mar 13:16

  • 5 hours to cross busy shipping channel, then wonderful sailing under full sail.
  • Sri Lankan fishing boat chased us for miles for hand-outs (not received); unnerving experience.

• Mon 4 Mar 10:09

  • Today's tally: 1 gale, 2 repaired engines, 5 sail changes, 1 dorado, 60litre RO water in sea: all plain sailing really!

• Sat 2 Mar 10:50

  • Hand-furling huge spinnaker sail on deck, watching dolphins in bow waves, trying find favourable current, given up on wind...

• Fri 1 Mar 02:21

  • Passing Nicobar Islands: from Andaman Ssea to Indian Ocean, and at last current in our favour

Feb 2013

• Wed 27 Feb 12:54

  • No wind means SLOOOW going, but GREAT under-boat swim and peaceful sunset dinner!

• Mon 25 Feb 15:17

  • Ao Chalong, the last night before we leave beautiful Thailand for good. Thanks for everything!

Dec 2012

• Sun 2 Dec 14:53

  • Ketoros home for a month while we go to SA! Happy Christmas!

• Sat 1 Dec 06:37

  • Big bay on west of Ko Yao Yai: green, lush, .... Let's go see the mangroves!

Nov 2012

• Thu 29 Nov 09:50

  • Catch-up with friends at Ao Chalong
  • Loi Krathong - boat-version krathong sent flaming to sea to appease Goddess of water.

• Wed 28 Nov 05:03

  • Incredible bird life and thousands of bats on Chicken island this time: beautiful!

• Mon 26 Nov 04:39

  • Contender for most beautiful Thai beach: Railay. Embraced by stunning rock cliffs.

• Tue 20 Nov 04:02

  • Ao Nang, Krabi: stocks and meal and massage on the list....(heels for Rolf)
  • The prettiest island, lovely sea.... Big shark enjoying it with me AAAARGH fright!

• Sun 18 Nov 04:12

  • Ko Khlui's tall straight faces on one side, friendly fishermen the other.

• Thu 15 Nov 09:18

  • Ko Chong Lat, beautiful anchorage protected from weather from all sides
  • In the klongs: mangrove rivers and swamps with stunning caves (and heat and mud and voracious mozzies)

• Wed 14 Nov 02:25

  • Treating ourselves to on-shore meal and pool! Yay for Paradise resort!
  • Treating ourselves to on-shore meal and pool! Yay for Paradise resort!

• Mon 12 Nov 03:11

  • Favourite place, but not with the big squall to greet us! Heaven descended later.... Ko KuDu
  • Rafting boats, braai on beach with local, ex-SA friends: home from home...

• Fri 9 Nov 06:17

  • Too many dayboats, but love all the eagles and view of island... and internet access!!
  • Ko Khai, wonderful 20m overhang with stalactites to drive under, and hong... and beach...
  • Dinghy adventures in hongs and mangroves: fun times at Ko Raya
  • Exploring a cool sink-in-to-your-knees muddy hole / cave through the bottom of island... Ko Thalu

• Sun 4 Nov 14:46

  • Wonderful peace and beauty at Ko Deng Yai
  • Oh JOY! No more marina work, just wonderful cruising in the bay....

Oct 2012

• Thu 18 Oct 12:46

  • At LAST!!! Back in the water... But still working on her....

• Fri 5 Oct 00:14

  • Boat Lagoon: Ketoro on hardstand for a month

• Thu 4 Oct 09:52

  • Waiting off Ko Rang to enter Boat Lagoon; storms abated at last!
  • Chicken islands a LOVELY place to hide (like chickens!) in this fierce SW monsoon time
  • Eek! Huge winds bending round Yongkasem Bay headland pushing us too close to the reef...
  • Hiding from storms at Ko Muk, having ripped a headsail on way up
  • On our way up to Phuket, first night Ko Bulan

Jun 2012

• Sun 10 Jun 23:21

  • Ketoro's home until September: time for the baby run! Yay!

• Wed 6 Jun 13:32

  • Hiding from the weather in gorgeous spot with 30 fishing boats, tug and barge!

• Mon 4 Jun 08:10

  • A new island for us, but clearly not for the fishing boats; hoping for baby sharks on our snorkel!

• Sat 2 Jun 09:16

  • Wonderful sea and white beach and snorkelling again! Ko Rawi, Butangs

• Fri 1 Jun 10:19

  • Rok Noks, fixing engine; Ketoro is teaching us about being on the move again!
  • Phi Phi island, fixing chafed-through reef line

Mar 2012

• Fri 30 Mar 16:27

  • Back at Yacht Haven, leaving boat for 7 weeks travel... China here we come!
  • Always beautiful here, and not burgled again since first time...!
  • Wind and rolly sea drove us to this west side for a change, and glad of it!
  • Haircut time! And drinks on beach...
  • Hundreds of sea stars in the mud at low tide at Ko Hong Krabi... Just waiting for water!
  • Another great unofficial meal at Chok'D... They were "closed" again....
  • Coral island to find the Crown of Thorns: got it!

• Fri 23 Mar 02:05

  • Nai Harn offers massages, meals, beautiful sea and beach.... Come!

• Mon 19 Mar 01:08

  • Came in on a massive storm, going out on a breeze with Sonja and Delwin

• Tue 13 Mar 10:35

  • Richelieu rock... Spectacular diving on pinnacles rising from nowhere!

• Sun 11 Mar 10:41

  • Awesome diving spots alongside channel west of us, 2 dives from dinghy.
  • In the channel between two Surin islands: centre is turquoise waters, sides all green.
  • Change of scene.... From beautiful to ridiculously beautiful!

• Sat 10 Mar 10:42

  • On the other side; perfectly alone in beautiful bay with crystal water and steep treed sides

• Fri 9 Mar 13:07

  • Awesome Ko Surin: stunning islands, great wall drop-offs for snorkelling, clear sea

• Thu 8 Mar 02:14

  • Remote, quiet, few chalets, long-tail transport: lovely Koh Chang

• Mon 5 Mar 04:54

  • Long Beach, Ko Payam... And it really is!!! Long.... And waiting to be explored....

• Sun 4 Mar 07:03

  • We are at Ko Phayam! Remote, quiet, lovely bay, islands of Burma to west.

• Sat 3 Mar 06:09

  • Surrounded by lovely islands, small rocky beach scheduled for haircut@Ko Kai Nui Salon!

• Fri 2 Mar 09:33

  • Mangroves and island one side, mainland hills shrouded with cloud on other; Ko Ra
  • Such an interesting waterway with pretty greened sides and fishermen trying for supper
  • Entering interesting waterway between islands and mainland

• Thu 1 Mar 08:59

  • Khao Lak Beach, overnight on our way north to Burma border.

Feb 2012

• Wed 29 Feb 02:41

  • This favourite spot means airport goodbyes today, sadly... Next time a hello!
  • Wonderful: sleeping alongside and snorkelling round a tiny rock island, Ko Waeo

• Sat 25 Feb 05:48

  • What do you do at Patong? People watch, do the tailors, drink cocktails!
  • Wow! Incredible sighting of large cuttlefish feeding at gorgeous Freedom Bay
  • A beautiful stop for visitors and lots to do/see/buy....
  • Happiness! Snorkelling again, but many urchins indicate poor reef.
  • Cute Chok'D bar opened for us on this tiny private rock/island
  • Wonderful! Rai Lee Bay, astounding Krabi karst cliffs and crystal sea...
  • New spot:Ao Nang, Krabi; fisherman angry at us for using his buoy....
  • Time to watch the climbers and marvel at the wall face seemingly metres from us
  • Another beautiful island with beach, hong, snorkelling: Ko Hong Krabi

• Thu 16 Feb 06:13

  • Mooring buoy off Paradise Beach Resort for a swim and treat lunch... then off again!
  • Ko Ku du channel: stunning anchorage between two cliffs, strong tide if swimming.
  • Ko Ba Tang: a lunch stop! Clear, cool water swim to tiny beach under more cliffs...
  • Ko Daeng Yai: Lovely new stop, towering cliff one side, sea eagles, pink dawn..
  • Ao Po marina to await Mark and Livi
  • Wonderful snorkelling with Erik; trooublesome double-buoy tie-up!
  • (no subject)

Jan 2012

• Sun 15 Jan 01:13

  • Back at Nai Yang; seems 14 other yachties also hold this as their favourite beach anchoring spot!
  • What fun! Dinghy exploration of river, fishing boats, lagoon at high tide: come in and see.

Dec 2011

• Fri 30 Dec 05:49

  • Nai Harn, how lovely: Jungle Beach, beautiful river into sea, improved weather!

• Mon 26 Dec 05:43

  • Family day "treat" for B+K: sailing in 45kn gales, anchored in Patong and bouncing on boat!

• Sun 25 Dec 14:40

  • Christmas Day 2011 with Barry and Kay at Surin Beach; only challenges huge winds and a rolly boat!

• Fri 23 Dec 05:34

  • Nai Yang again.. Gentle, pretty, plenty Thai treats like food, massage Madame...!

• Tue 20 Dec 13:25

  • Laem Sing, a new find... a Christmas morning spot it will be! Sea splashing over rocks, beautiful treed headland, pretty beach...

• Mon 19 Dec 06:48

  • Pretty Nai Harn bay, but HOW do we get dinghy on shore??? Reef, waves....

• Sun 18 Dec 13:43

  • Panwa Bali in Ao Chalong, SO nice to be on anchor after the marina!

• Sun 11 Dec 10:06

  • Boat Lagoon Phuket again.... sawasdee ka!! Week here to work on boat.

• Sat 10 Dec 05:51

  • Ko Rang feels like home! Convenient for Boat Lagoon entry at high tide in morning...
  • Dire warnings and cautions do not deter Rolf from using this channel short-cut! (successfull!)

• Fri 9 Dec 05:34

  • More beautiful beaches and sea and hongs!!! Such hardship... Ko Hong, Krabi

• Thu 8 Dec 04:31

  • Heaven last night, just moved to a new heavenly snorkel area: come in close and see our garden!

• Wed 7 Dec 05:25

  • Chicken Island: good snorkelling, watching the climbers, beautiful longtails with prayer-flags.!
  • Ao Phra-Ae beach on Ko Lanta: storm prevented us from getting to beach.

• Tue 6 Dec 07:19

  • Stunning Emerald (Morakot) Cave: a wonderful hong!

• Mon 5 Dec 08:36

  • Ko Muk; east side for the night, explore the hong tomorrow

• Sun 4 Dec 10:19

  • Beautiful bay hosting 5 yachts and 12 fishing boats, all escaping wind-storms.
  • Site of a failed attempt to salvage another yacht's anchor, for reward: not a career for us!

• Fri 2 Dec 16:05

  • Telaga harbour again. Fuel, food and duty-free booze for Christmas!

Oct 2011

• Mon 10 Oct 07:02

  • Ketoro holding tight to pontoon at Pu Rebak Marina till end November.
  • Telaga for RUGBY!!! Farewell to John, who has sailed Ketoro between Phuket and Singapore!

• Sun 9 Oct 00:39

  • Fjord anchorage as beautiful as ever, but LOTS rain and wind... Dragging worries.

• Thu 6 Oct 03:18

  • Georgetown, Penang for fun 2 nights YIPPEE!

• Wed 5 Oct 06:00

  • Mainsail fell down!!! So had to anchor here at Pangkor to fix: 3h up mast in sun.

• Tue 4 Oct 09:13

  • Port Klang: again time to watch for ships crossing our path and trying to predict their behaviour!

• Mon 3 Oct 11:33

  • Port Dickson: had a swim in resort pool.... Heaven!!
  • On our way again....

Sep 2011

• Tue 27 Sep 13:45

  • Berthed at Marina at dusk. Exceptionally exhausted, want to sleep for days...
  • Two massive ships collided alongside us here! How horrifying that they drive so badly...
  • Gales, horrible sea, crossed shipping channels in gale and rain, caught huge fishing net. Excruciating.

• Mon 26 Sep 05:34

  • Great sailing 7kn under reef turned to @#* when gales hit on the nose: bare poles and 2kn...!

• Sun 25 Sep 03:33

  • Sailing winds at last!! But who switched last night's orders for NO boats and lots of moonlight??

• Sat 24 Sep 03:21

  • Much improved sea state, wind, current... ie going our way now and all well!

• Fri 23 Sep 06:28

  • For us: dolphins, playing; sea snakes,slithering away; tuna biting lures. Against: sea, current and wind: UGH.

• Fri 16 Sep 09:19

  • Got into Miri Marina just before the storm hit! Tied on and happy, for a 5 day stay and travel to Mulu

• Thu 15 Sep 12:13

  • Last Brunei stop: Kuala Belait, industrial, serving the oil rigs, but pretty at night! Tiring 12h sail day.

• Wed 14 Sep 02:26

  • Brunei, almost tiniest but richest country in world. Well, amazing Sultan's riches anyway....!

• Sun 11 Sep 08:56

  • Pulau Tiga is our last stop in Sabah! Mooring ball off pretty island: fish from freezer on BBQ tonight.

• Thu 8 Sep 10:55

  • KK Marina for water and power and hardware purchases and provisioning and dinghy fixing and maybe invertor too...!?

• Wed 7 Sep 08:51

  • Happy to anchor after another 10 hour day on the move. Tomorrow KK Marina.

• Tue 6 Sep 08:03

  • Last day in the Sulu Sea: tomorrow round the tip into the South China Sea.
  • Oh the calm of a lagoon surrounded by mangroves, and a sleep as if we were not on the sea...!

• Sat 3 Sep 11:06

  • Lankayan island: great diving and turtle breeding programme, watched 200 run into the sea!

Aug 2011

• Wed 31 Aug 00:59

  • Back at Sandakan... Really functional: provisioning and hoping for no more burglaries....

• Tue 30 Aug 09:48

  • Dewhurst Bay: back in muddy Malaysian river, but watching monkeys on the beach makes up for it!

• Sun 28 Aug 10:55

  • Dent Haven again, calm night after a LONG day sailing? We hope so....
  • Lahad Datu: busy harbour, fascinating shrimp farms being pushed into place by big dinghies. Drop off point for friends.
  • Fri: Pu Gaya - beautiful tall islands, treed, pristine water, pretty coral bommies under boat
  • Mon - thurs: re-anchored and firm. Exceptionally wonderful Sipadan diving WOW
  • Sunday: anchored on Mabul sand spit but terrible stormy night with dragging anchor....
  • Sat: Horn Reef - wonderful snorkelling, no visible land, our neighbour is a single stilted fishing hut!

• Tue 16 Aug 08:01

  • Tawau: ugly from the sea, container port, last stop of the rally

• Mon 15 Aug 07:26

  • Mabul Island, between converted oil rig and stilted chalets: weird!

• Sun 14 Aug 06:39

  • Pulau Gaya: pretty, with PRISTINE water... Stay here for a day to clean the boat!
  • Pulau Gaya: pretty, with PRISTINE water... Stay here for a day to clean the boat!

• Fri 12 Aug 08:31

  • Pretty place to sleep, massive currents pushing us down today!
  • Leaving this amazing river: sad, but happy to see end of mud!

• Wed 10 Aug 23:36

  • Today saw wild Orang utans in jungle and sailed over a Pygmy elephant!

• Tue 9 Aug 01:53

  • As far as we can go on Ketoro, due to power lines. Now some dinghy investigation...
  • Monday..in heaven with birds, monkeys, magnificent primary jungle, clean but muddy river.
  • Sun eve. Kinabatangan River: jungle one side, small village children waving the other...
  • Sun morn: on way to Sungai Kinabatangan.. river through the jungle...

• Tue 2 Aug 05:58

  • Sandakan... Manic anchorage, boats of every type hurtling through..interesting times!
  • Beautiful island anchorage to rest after 24 hours of boat-fixing miseries.
  • Tigabu island: no fun as we find engine water pump and shower water pump died!

• Mon 1 Aug 12:01

  • Morning drift snorkel between two islands, direction and speed dictated by strong current!

Jul 2011

• Sat 30 Jul 12:25

  • Quiet anchorage for the night before island visits tomorrow...
  • Rounding the lovely northern tip of Borneo.... YAAAY!

• Fri 29 Jul 08:25

  • Ambong Bay for a night. Sea very rolly outside... And lovely and calm in here!

• Wed 20 Jul 05:27

  • Kota Kinabalu, Sabah... Now THIS looks like a good Marina! Going to check out the facilities...
  • Sailing in race to KK.... But NO wind teaches patience and sailing skills!

• Wed 13 Jul 05:29

  • Miri marina: rally base and start for Borneo Yacht Challenge.
  • Night watch with luminous moon to round the cape on our way to Miri.

Jun 2011

• Tue 28 Jun 04:29

  • Kuching Marina for a while: travel inland to Sibu and Kapit and World Rainforest Music Festival!
  • Between 2 stunning islands: walked on one: saw monkeys, pitcher plants; haircut on other!

• Mon 27 Jun 04:36

  • En route... Rounding magnificent forested mountain falling steeply to the sea

• Wed 22 Jun 00:13

  • Sludgy river, heavily forested, crocs, bright stars: we are in Borneo! Specifically Kuching in Sarawak state.

• Sun 19 Jun 17:03

  • Beautiful island off Borneo to rest for 2 days before going Borneo itself.
  • Rounded the corner: wind gone, engines on, hope to make it before sundown!

• Sat 18 Jun 04:04

  • Rocking, rolling on lumpy sea, side-on waves, wind on nose... tired... this is passage-making!

• Fri 17 Jun 03:14

  • Horrible uncomfortable sea but sailing in good winds south of oil filelds

• Wed 15 Jun 14:45

  • Terengganu for the last time before crossing S China Sea to Borneo

• Mon 13 Jun 10:55

  • Moored P Redang again, returning to Terengganu... Last night at these lovely islands
  • Stunning Temple dive (Tokong Laut) myriads of fish, some huge, great coral.
  • Beautiful Perhentian Island bay, thickly wooded hillsides, after lovely dive at lighthouse site

• Sun 12 Jun 03:48

  • Beautiful diving in the Parhentian Islands.... And also fun on land!

• Fri 10 Jun 09:11

  • Anchored in lovely bay on P Redang, found a lovely-looking island to dive tomorrow YAY! Happily gazing into toilet bowls with clean sea water, not mud

• Fri 3 Jun 04:44

  • Time to sleep! Berthed at Marina in Kuala Terengganu
  • Inauspicious River entry to Terengganu; a day to get food and organise sail repair then to island to meet others.

• Thu 2 Jun 15:46

  • Sailing through night: black, but seeing S Cross behind and Big Dipper ahead... Going right way!
  • Sailing overnight heading for Kuala Terengganu, horribly hot and no wind to speak of!

• Wed 1 Jun 12:32

  • Rompin for beach BBQ to touch base with rally group
  • 3 mile period: jib out, main up, storm hits, reef 1, dodge ferry straight at us, reef 2, main down, jib in: happy to anchor here.....

May 2011

• Mon 30 May 13:58

  • Stunning! Tiny island with most of it underwater... Huge boulders shouldering coral gardens and home for millions of fish!

• Sun 29 May 10:00

  • Pulau Tulai for snorkelling and hopefully a dive.. If we can find the appropriate place! Then there was the charter boat who took guests skiing in cir

• Fri 27 May 08:10

  • Tioman south, going to walk to waterfall of movie South Pacific tomorrow

• Fri 20 May 14:14

  • Tioman Island, a rallying point for all rally boats! Tall volcanic island, rainforest vegetation, lovely beaches

• Thu 19 May 02:13

  • Pulau Babi Besar - absolutely stunning! The South China Sea, as it turns out, is awesome...!! Great company from other rally boats enhances the experi

• Tue 17 May 11:39

  • Pulau Tinggi: back to beautiful islands, white sands, clear waters, fish and coral... YAY!

• Sun 15 May 09:19

  • Teluk Punggai. Featureless stop over on way north. Good anchor holding!
  • (no subject)

• Tue 10 May 11:00

  • One15 Marina, Singapore. A few days here before we re-join the rally at the Tioman Islands.
  • Passing Raffles lighthouse
  • Keeping Singapore on our left and Malaysia on our right and weaving our way through dozens of ships

Apr 2011

• Sun 10 Apr 05:32

  • Puteri harbour, home for a month till we set off on the rally
  • Completed the busy Malacca Straits, crossed the Singapore channel, gratefully looking for our home
  • 10Apr early... The southernmost tip of Malaysia, and LOTS of giants anchored here.
  • 9Apr late... Rain, lightning, big guys on anchor and those challenging us....!

• Tue 5 Apr 07:06

  • Marina at Port Dickson: time to SLEEP after overnighters alongside the hugest ships and traffic... and visit Melaka!

• Mon 4 Apr 03:17

  • Wishing for wind, dodging fishing boats, grateful for the AIS info on all the big guys out here!

• Sat 2 Apr 00:05

  • Georgetown Penang! Marina in old city: wonderful, noisy, vibey, much to see and do..

Mar 2011

• Thu 31 Mar 09:19

  • Swimming in beautiful cool opaque sea off beach at Pregnant Maiden Island.... great start to our voyage south!

• Wed 30 Mar 03:33

  • Telaga marina protects us from unusually big bad weather... and we wait for change before we sail...

• Sun 27 Mar 01:12

  • last night in Thailand: horrible and very rolly! Bye Ko Lipe... we could not go on shore to visit you!

• Fri 25 Mar 14:38

  • Rok Nok again: a trusty stop over for a good night's sleep
  • Thurs: Racha Island for a rough rocky night with little sleep...
  • Wed / thurs Ao Chalong: clearing out of Thailand for... the last time?

• Tue 8 Mar 04:06

  • Go in close to see: no water here! Ketoro on the hardstand for work, we sleeping in apartment nearby.
  • Sunday evening off Ko Rang: calm, pretty place to wait for entering boat lagoon at high tide

• Sat 5 Mar 09:31

  • First time this side of Racha Yai... time to check out the beach area...!
  • 4Mar This time a steep walk up Rok Nok to see the magnificent views from the top of the island
  • 3 Feb Looking onto the white beaches and heavily treed slopes of beautiful Ko Tarutao.

• Thu 3 Mar 01:36

  • 2Mar Rebak Marina at last getting our new rudders!
  • 28 Feb Anchored off Telaga Harbour to clear customs and shop duty free...
  • Ko Ka Lang.. A quick stop over for a stunning dive off the boat! Such beautiful coral and fish on a pinnacle 28feb
  • 27Feb Great sailing to Ko Lipe, lovely beach with dozens of bars and wonderful relaxed atmosphere.
  • 26 Feb Ko Rok Nok a favourite stop-over for yachts doing the visa run...!

Feb 2011

• Sat 19 Feb 10:07

  • 18 Feb Kata Beach again, enjoying the views, clear sea, easy access to all the land stuff.
  • 17 Feb Wonderful calm quiet Freedom Bay: on our own but for the fish and birds…
  • 15 Feb Patong Bay as busy as usual, now with the add ition of massive cruise-liners…
  • 14 Feb Valentine’s Day at Surin Beach.. very beaut iful, good massages, good food…!
  • 13 Feb Playing with young ellies Lucky and Lili on Ban Tao Beach!
  • 10 Feb Back in pretty Nai Yang to wave bye to Mark and hi to Ilana

• Sun 6 Feb 14:56

  • Ko Similan island 5 is awesome with crystal water, great snorkelling and a turtle trying to eat the fin on Rolfs foot!

• Fri 4 Feb 14:48

  • 4 Feb Similan Islands.... So beautiful, amazing water clarity, wonderful rest
  • 2 Feb Kata Beach... Great massages, nice beach, great meal.... pesky jet skis!
  • 1 Feb Ao Po Marina to fix batteries made dead by the service people....
  • 31Jan Ko Roi... A beautiful wonderful spot with a shrine in the hong
  • 30 Jan Showing Mark and Livi our favourite spots in the bay....

Jan 2011

• Mon 3 Jan 01:29

  • Yacht Haven.. Home for the boat while we head off to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, whee haa!

• Sat 1 Jan 15:36

  • Last night on anchor before our trip to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. A quiet evening... The first in 2 weeks!
  • Rounding Promthep Cape in strong gusts on way up to Yacht Haven again.
  • Happy New Year! What an amazing party start off Patong Beach: WOW WOW WOW!

Dec 2010

• Wed 29 Dec 09:19

  • Kamala Beach: hundreds of beach loungers, jet skis with no speed limits, huge gin palaces behind us!

• Fri 24 Dec 03:02

  • Nai Yang... Home for Christmas: beaches, smoothies, yachtie friends, calm waters. And a turtle!
  • Freedom Bay: the only yacht here, lovely beach and fair snorkelling in the surge!
  • Kata Beach: beautiful sea and seafood lunch on shore, full moon and fire lanterns at night
  • Nai Harn Bay, beautiful first w-coast anchorage of the Christmas week: happiness!
  • Good ole rolly Ao Chalong, base until the NE season sets in (please...!)

• Sat 11 Dec 13:54

  • Phi Phi.. great shelter for the weather but little protection from lunatic boat skippers!
  • Ko Rok Nok.. star of French Survivor.. and our haven in howling winds!
  • Discovered this anchorage off Ko Bulan North with no help from pilot guides.... beautiful!

• Thu 9 Dec 00:51

  • Pulau Singha Besar overnighter. Have started collecting appropriate materials for our Christmas "tree"...

• Wed 8 Dec 03:38

  • Come in closer and look at where we are! Towering cliffs on each side, incredibly densely greened with bushes, creepers, immensely tall trees, all cli

Nov 2010

• Sun 28 Nov 01:27

  • Tied up at Telaga Harbour Marina for a week
  • 25 Nov Beautiful bay with wonderful snorkelling on Ko Butang

• Thu 25 Nov 00:54

  • 24 Nov Stunning limestone cliffs towering over us at Ko Phetra
  • 23 Nov Ko Lanta.. great fun at Kan Tiang beach
  • 22 Nov Busy busy BUSY Ton Sai Bay at Phi Phi Don
  • 21 Nov Pretty Ko Roi again

• Wed 24 Nov 13:48

  • 20 Nov Showing Sandy, Patrick, Ros a favourite secluded anchorage Ko Hong
  • 20 Nov Departing great berth at Yacht Haven Marina

Sep 2010

• Sat 11 Sep 14:24

  • Yacht Haven: home for Ketoro while we go home to SA

Aug 2010

• Sun 22 Aug 15:27

  • Ko Rang....beautiful island with marvellous long beach
  • Escorted by hundreds of little fish whilst snorkelling on reef at Ko Hae (Coral Island)... they all expect to be hand fed!

• Wed 18 Aug 13:27

  • 18 Aug Stunning Ko Dam Khwan: Chicken island! Spectacular sunset behind the towering chicken head rock ... plan 2 days here.
  • 17 Aug Ko Muk... lovely bay with beach projecting from the cliffs; longtail central for fishermen so very noisy.
  • 16 Aug Anchored off Ko Tarutao... peaceful, beautiful, protected; home of sea eagles!

• Fri 13 Aug 13:27

  • Rebak Marina at Pulau Langkawi: aircon, swimming pool, shady trees.... what's not to like!?

• Tue 10 Aug 09:49

  • Malaysia again: Telaga Harbour Marina for a few days to explore Pulau Langkawi before returning to Thailand!

• Mon 9 Aug 11:29

  • Lovely spot off a beach on Ko Laen, east of Ko Taratao; tomorrow clear in at Langkawi

• Sun 8 Aug 13:30

  • Second time at Ko Rok Nok and just as lovely... but no beach supper and big winds! Glad of mooring buoy..
  • Overnight at Ko Racha Yai (Island King Big, literally) with lighted fishing boats making the horizon glow.

• Mon 2 Aug 02:00

  • Yacht Haven Marina: potential spot to leave boat when fly out?

Jul 2010

• Mon 19 Jul 07:10

  • Ao Po Grand Bay Marina: the luxury of being tied on and only a hop from the beautiful Phang Nga Bay islands
  • Ao Chalong.... "home" harbour for clearing in/out formalities

• Thu 15 Jul 16:52

  • Another anchorage at Phi Phi Don: beautiful as before but less busy and less polluted... definitely the favoured spot!

• Wed 14 Jul 03:51

  • Stopped over at Ko Ngai for two nights while the Kothes celebrate their 31st anniversary!

• Tue 13 Jul 02:38

  • On the way back: stop-over at Ko Bulon Le with a walk in the village followed by enormous braai baracuda steaks!

• Sat 10 Jul 02:24

  • We are in Malaysia! Berthed in Telaga Harbour on Pulau Langkawi (island) for a weekend of sight-seeing before returning to Thailand

• Thu 8 Jul 15:18

  • Wednesday: rested over at Koh Lipe in the Butangs for two days, enjoying the island, water and stars.
  • Tuesday: Stopped over at The Beach (Maya Bay) then overnight stop at Koh Rok Nok, with a picnic supper on the sand at sunset.
  • Monday 5 July: Doing the tourist thing on Ko Phi Phi Don: enjoying the sights, shops, meal at a beach restaurant.
  • Monday 5 July: leaving Ao Chalong with John and Wendy on way to Malaysia via the scenic route!
  • Wed 30: On way back to Ao Chalong after burglary; anchored off Ko Rang Yai

• Thu 1 Jul 15:43

  • Ko Hong: anchored here in paradise yesterday, with limestone cliffs soaring above us and fascinating explorations of a beautiful lagoon on the dinghy.

Jun 2010

• Sat 12 Jun 01:46

  • Luxury!! Absolute luxury!! Tied up at a marina; shore power and water (wow!); chance to get onto land and explore.... and do lots of boat jobs!

• Thu 10 Jun 14:28

  • In Tahiland at last!!! Anchored in Ao Chalong on Phuket island to do formal clearing in procedures. We made it!!!

• Tue 8 Jun 13:08

  • Almost through the heaviest ship traffic in the Malacca Straights. Now to Thailand....
  • Departed the beautiful anchorage at Pulau WE, Sumatra after 2 wonderful nights sleep! On way again....

• Sat 5 Jun 07:45

  • When the mountain comes under you and creates a great hole before you, the best thing to do is focus on sailing by your instruments and ignore your ho

• Fri 4 Jun 13:52

  • After 24 hours of horrible stormy seas, are now happy to have that behind us and be 200 miles from Sumatra.

• Thu 3 Jun 06:08

  • Pleasant winds gave way to gales, which are carrying us with them... luckily they are also going to Thailand! All well on board.

• Tue 1 Jun 09:49

  • Well, here we are! Middle of the sea and so forth...! Really lovely winds.... although they pushed us too far south and we had to get back up there ag

May 2010

• Sun 30 May 13:08

  • South of Sri Lanka on a beautiful sea running under the asymmetric spinnaker; no fish (beans yeah!) but beautiful dolphins....

• Fri 28 May 13:19

  • In the middle of nowhere, with good winds: all sail, no motors required!

• Wed 26 May 15:41

  • Last night in Hulhumale lagoon... leave tomorrow for Thailand!

• Sun 23 May 02:52

  • Our last fun anchorage (Velassaru resort island) before returning to Male and then departing for Thailand

• Sun 2 May 06:26

  • Protected coral garden millpond at Gaafaru Atoll... echoes of Bassas da India
  • Amazing 32nd anniversary dinner on the beach with the Candys at Helengeli Island

• Sat 1 May 16:47

  • There are 2 kinds of skipper: those who have grounded and those who have not yet grounded. This is where we joined the aforementioned club.

Apr 2010

• Wed 28 Apr 14:50

  • Kept waiting a week here at Hulhumale for cruising permit. Now have permit... will cruise!

• Mon 19 Apr 07:36

  • Extremely isolated, anchored on Felidhe Atoll; no islands, only reefs and turquoise seas

• Sat 17 Apr 08:03

  • Anchored in a reef-enclosed lagoon in Mulaka Atoll: stunning! Alone and private... yet near 2 stilted resorts!

• Wed 14 Apr 15:13

  • Anchored in North Huvadhoo Atoll, a beautiful calm haven after 2 windy tiring days!

• Tue 13 Apr 02:23

  • The Equator at 0630: crossed the stormy, cold line with booze, chocolates and an apple upside-down cake! Shared with King Neptune...

• Fri 2 Apr 04:52

  • Gan, Addu Atoll, Maldives; welcomed by a big pod of dolphins!

Mar 2010

• Tue 30 Mar 04:50

  • On the road again: good sea, no wind.... clouds building though...

• Sat 27 Mar 15:12

  • A full gale brought us here but today spent forgetting as we swam with 30 dolphins!

• Sat 20 Mar 09:00

  • Surrounded by sharks but not like those in your big cities..

• Fri 12 Mar 14:59

  • Ile Diamant, Chagos and really being slothful and chilling, but catching nothing but shark from the boat!

Feb 2010

• Fri 26 Feb 14:06

  • Anchored in heaven at Ile du Coin, Peros Banhos, Chagos Archipelago... these islands will be home for a few weeks
  • We are almost there! See land... with 10nm to go....

• Wed 24 Feb 15:34

  • Half-way point, a long way from land: 545nm to seychelles, 545nm to Chagos, 3800m to the sea-bed!

• Mon 22 Feb 08:21

  • Fantastic sailing conditions: good winds, favourable current... heaven! Supported by whales, dolphins, a mile-long shoal of tuna and attendant hundred

• Fri 12 Feb 09:44

  • Seychelles haven last weeks.. resting before the big sail...

Jan 2010

• Sat 23 Jan 07:23

  • Port Launay winds and seas really testing our anchor: which comes up tops!
  • Laria Bay, Curieuse.. Seychelles home but with marauding butterfly fish!

• Sat 16 Jan 06:25

  • Pretty Felicite island, amongst the many we have explored

Dec 2009

• Thu 17 Dec 16:36

  • La Digue... beautiful, tiny, quaint charm... expensive!

• Wed 16 Dec 16:53

  • 3 days on Praslin Island.. finding anchorages with the best land view!

• Mon 7 Dec 14:35

  • Home for now: Seychelles Yacht Club Dec 7
  • We made it! Dec 6 Anchored in Victoria Harbour to await official clearance,tomorrow.
  • Headed east to avoid piracy in SW, now turning north Dec 5
  • Farquhar group Dec 2, red-foot booby hitched a ride till dawn!
  • Last night in Madagascar Nov 30
  • Started on passage to Seychelles with some anxiety over weather and pirates... Nov 29

Nov 2009

• Sun 15 Nov 17:53

  • Still night in protected anchorage... like a bus station with 8 other boats here!

• Sat 14 Nov 11:49

  • Beautiful Tara Bajina and snorkelling off the boat

• Fri 13 Nov 07:04

  • Nosy Fali An anchorage to hide from the predicted W wind that was awful in the ferocious suprise storm from the East
  • Nosy Komba: beautiful island where soft, gentle Lemurs jump lightly onto your shoulder for bananas

• Mon 9 Nov 17:49

  • Lokobe Nature Reserve towering lush green
  • Beautiful tiny marine reserve for two days

• Sun 1 Nov 10:25

  • Russian Bay.. beautiul, wild, remote, good storm hideout if necessary

Oct 2009

• Thu 29 Oct 05:47

  • Anchored at Sakatia island off Nosy Be; formally cleared into the country and ready to cruise

• Tue 27 Oct 14:13

  • Anchored at Sakatia island off Nosy Be... meal on shore tonight YAY!!!
  • Anchored at Sakatia island off Nosy Be... meal on shore tonight YAY!!!
  • Tranquil river anchorage to hand over goods transported for others....

• Sun 25 Oct 19:21

  • Wonderful Nosy Iranje anchorage... our first Madagascar island!

• Sat 24 Oct 11:43

  • From becalmed to hectic to becalmed, but one constant is the curent against us....

• Fri 23 Oct 15:19

  • Hot hot hot ... still still still day....!

• Thu 22 Oct 18:28

  • Rocking and rolling up and down....!
  • Hello! How are you? Thanks for popping in to visit us! Heading straight on to Nosy Be.

• Wed 21 Oct 07:06

  • Still at sea.... Juan de Nova ahead in case we need to stop for weather.

• Tue 20 Oct 06:03

  • Night sailed with a dozen storms around us, racing us up to NW Madagascar

• Sun 18 Oct 13:14

  • Anchored at Bassas da India: absolutely astounding atoll, reef fish hiding in our shade

• Sat 17 Oct 13:18

  • Swam in ultra blue ocean, enjoyed fish braai, watched feeding frenzy of birds, sharks take place around and UNDER us!
  • Heaven: night sailing with sky awash with stars and sea with phosphorescence, favourable wind and current.

• Fri 16 Oct 13:12

  • Frustrated: pitiful wind and big current south

• Thu 15 Oct 14:36

  • Wahoo! First fish for supper... and another one..
  • Inhambane harbour

• Mon 12 Oct 08:21

  • Waiting. Anchored off pretty Linge Linge near Inhambane... public hol in Moz

• Sat 10 Oct 18:57

  • Anchoring in rolling sea at Inhambane Bay, Mozambique
  • Massive melodious whale foghorns over the ocean.

• Fri 9 Oct 16:39

  • Swimming in the channel
  • Prolific marine life and spectacular whale sightings in amazing Mozambican waters

• Thu 8 Oct 05:44

  • Learning curve with Code Zero, obliging ship's captain's avoiding action, 4 whales, 100 dolphins

• Wed 7 Oct 21:12

  • I'm being folllowed by a moonshadow
  • Bumping along with whales and Yacht Time Out to port
  • Second time from RB, now with Yacht Time Out

• Tue 6 Oct 13:36

  • Second round in R Bay

• Sun 4 Oct 20:54

  • engine trouble turning back all fine
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  • Leaving now

Sep 2009

• Mon 21 Sep 10:48

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• Sun 20 Sep 15:40

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• Sat 19 Sep 18:59

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• Fri 18 Sep 23:51

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• Thu 17 Sep 22:13

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• Wed 16 Sep 20:42

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• Tue 15 Sep 20:51

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Aug 2009

• Tue 4 Aug 16:13

  • Ketoro position

Jun 2009

• Tue 23 Jun 14:05

  • web diary

• Mon 1 Jun 19:26

  • Planning for a different world