South again past Patong which was always a cruiser’s favourite on New Year’s eve to watch the fireworks.  But then they started letting go paper balloons with naked lights in them.  Of course they got caught up in the rigging of the anchored yachts.  And so, not surprisingly,  numbers diminished.  When I passed half of the bay had been closed off  by the navy as a royal princess wanted to go snorkeling. A very blustery passage in parts but mostly with good positive current.  I got into Khao Khat at Panwa, a new for anchorage me.  About 30 cruisers and a brilliant beach bar with excellent food.

Next day back to Boat Lagoon for my new alternator. The supplier said there was no need to fit it as it came of an identical engine in his showroom.  I insisted he fitted it.  The pulley did not line up and it took two skilled engineers two hours fiddling with shims to get it right.  That would have been an interesting job for me to do alone at sea with a two metre swell running.

Rule 1. When you buy a spare fit it, make sure that it fits and that it works.

Rule 2. Put the original away as a spare.

There is a boat show at the next door marina, Royal Phuket.  Some very fancy boats including a RIB which costs a cool one million pounds Sterling!

Next I head north to Yacht Haven where I can anchor off the marina among friends and save Bht 27,000 a month in marina fees.