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Phuket Yacht Haven



Tim ¡V Busy day yesterday getting the boat cleaned but everyone worked very hard and the boat is looking immaculate. A lively night out in Patong was the only thing in order for the last night to lots of music and dancing. Quiet day this morning. Took Mikaela to the airport for 8 and then a little trip to the shopping centre before dropping Kirsty, Kate and Jonathon at the airport for 5 in the afternoon. Back on the boat now and it certainly is quiet without everyone. A big thanks to Mikaela, Kirsty, Kate and Jonathon, it has been a great couple of weeks.

Jonathan ¡V Up early for a busy day cleaning from top to bottom. Final meal in Patong and then a last walk through the busy streets before an early night. Lazy last day watching he world go by in the marina. A wonderful holiday and lots of happy memories ¡V thanks to Tim and Mikaela and the girls.

Kate - I cant believe it is the end already, our last day and a bit here was spent at the yacht haven maintaining the boat and packing, but for our last night we had the works we went in to patong and had a slap up seafood meal, and then we hit the banana club and danced and danced and danced to the funky music and we met some crazy dancing crew that did these funny routines and me and kirst where just like freaks, then we went to this over crazy club the tiger bar which was all dance and trance and we had a giggle and a boogie there aswell till like 5 in the morning and then got a rather scary tuk tuk back to the boat where we just crashed out as we had spent the day before annie style again and got up at bloody 6! But we had a lye in this morning and are now ready for our long boring aeroplane journey to the cold abyss which is london, I have had such a gret time and I am so happy I have met and created friendships with the people I have and whom I will never forget, it has been and unbelievable Christmas adventure and self progression. Thank you gipsy moth and leg 22 crew! Biggup timmytimtimtomskippydoo and ian dowrie (don¡¦t know how to spell your name sorry ƒº ) and of course lord harris who made this amazing trip possible for me and kirst! Thank you and good night!

Kirsty Maltby- to day we got up early and cleaned the boat. This included polishing. We finished at about 5 and then went to have drinks with the neighbours. Then Tim took us to Patong by taxi although the police stopped the driver and we had to get a tuk tuk. We ate in a seafood restaurant because it was Friday, and I had my first lobster which I had to pick out. We then went out and danced till late which was fab. Today we got up late, packed and had brunch before going to the mall in the car. Today I was looking at my photos on my camera reminiscing about this fantastic experience. I¡¦ve been to a buddhist temple, had a ride on an elephant, sun bathed with monkeys and sailed on the Gipsy Moth and this would never have happened if Lord Harris did not provide such a life changing experience. SO I would like to thank Lord Harris for his generosity and time to make this happen. This trip would not have been as pleasurable if it was not for our skipper Tim who I owe a big thank you to. He truly made our holiday special, also my crew mates and Mikaela and Jonathon who didn¡¦t know us on the first night but who generously took us out. Thank you.

Ao Labu- Yacht Haven

N8 10.2 E98 20.4
Wind ¡V Nw1

Tim Magee ¡V. A lovely wonder around a small inlet on Ao Labu started the day off before a little motor sail back to the yacht haven. Can¡¦t believe how quickly the time has gone but back at bas e now ready to give the boat a good clean and no doubt a lively last night as would be fitting!.

Mikaela Zehnder- Woke up in Ao Labu this morning. Had some coffee and ashore we went. There were loads of sand crabs all over the beach. As Kate said¡K¡¨the ground is moving¡¨ we walked around the desert like beach for a bit and then carried on back to the boat and headed home to the yacht haven to end our fun adventures.

Kirsty- today we had a lazy morning where we could wake up when ever we wanted. That was great! It was my cook day and I made everyone a cereal breakfast (cause it was easy). We 5then got ready to go on an adventure and explore boat Pocahontas land. We didn¡¦t actually see Pocahontas but we saw people that were close. They were Muslim fishers. Tim told us this was the Thai version of Croydon. We saw many weird strange animals such as snakes and crabs with big claws. We all had a stick so we didn¡¦t get bitten by anything else that was in the grass. We then sailed a short sail to yacht haven where we did our labour of cleaning the yacht. Scrubbing.

Kate- we had a lovely lye in this morning for so long that the sun rose to the point of shining straight on my bunk and waking me up but I was refreshed, we went ashore and explored Ao labu it was muddy and looked like an African plane covered in crabs, we found a treehouse with a pretty little leopard printed snake and the I almost sunk in smelly quick mud sand stuff it was disgusting hehehe, we trekked back like gandolfs with our big hiking sticks and then set off back to yacht haven for a relaxing motoring journey which included sunbathing on deck and eating fruit cocktail which was rather random, we have spent our time at the haven so far cleaning unfortunately, scrubbing the hull (sides of boat) and the tender (dingy) till it is sparkling clean, picture the ¡¥hard enough life¡¦ scene from Annie and skippydoo Tim as ms hannigan ƒº, but I have worked up an appetite for dinner tonight, tomorrow is our last day oh how time flies.

Jonathan- Last day on the open seas! My cleaning day again ¡V tried not to get too excited! Gebntle motor back to the Yacht Haven marina looking at all the photos we have taken and making up CDs for everyone. Back at the marina first phase of the handover cleanup begins ¡V with another holiday like this one could risk becoming addicted to cleaning? It will be great to get home to a dishwasher. Looking forward to a shore meal and a cool beer. Hard to believe the holiday is nearly over ¡V it has been a wonderful experience.

Khai Nok- Ao Labu

N8 01.7 E 98 33.8
Wind ¡V Ne2

Tim Magee ¡V. Hoped for a bit more breeze today but it didn¡¦t materialise as we came round the south end of Phuket. Anchored off Khai nok for lunch and a spot of sunbathing before moving onto Ao Labu for a peaceful night tonight. Another glorious sunset to round off another fine day.

Mikaela Zehnder- Left Kata Beach this morning headed for Ko Khai Nok. We arrived around lunchtime to its small but populated beach with many colourful umbrellas. After lounging in the sun chairs for a bit and having a snooze we headed for Ao Lab where we are anchored for the evening.

Kirsty- woke up early today from a very late night picture the walking dead, somehow me and kate got the sails out and we where sailing in no time, we sailed for most of the day today, at lunch we stopped off at a crazy little island and it was full of deck chairs and umbrellas and we ate banana pancakes it was gooood! Caught up on some sleep on the beach and then sailed again to this island which is quite deserted and looks like Pocahontas island, wish I had some bubble and squeak yesterday but my Christmas cous cous made up for it

Kate- guess what, we where up early again, surprise! Surprise! ƒº and it was especially gruelling today because we all had a late night last night. We sailed for about 4 hours and tried some beating which meant lots tacking but the wind wasn¡¦t to great today. We went to khai nok it was really nice but a bit too touristy but had a beautiful beach and sunbathing was had. We then travelled here, where we are anchored up for the night, lots of yachts and no big diving boats which is good, a bit wary to swim after hearing about the deadly sea snakes around though, I am looking forward to seeing the little Muslim village tomorrow shore and going to yacht haven to have a shower cause sea water only cleans you so much, good night x

Jonathan Not such an early start as suggested elsewhere but wondered where all the hot air lanterns launched from Kata Beach end up? Some poor farmer must have hundreds of burnt out lanterns descending on his land. A short spell of great sailing, a few tacks and then once again the wind dropped so that we needed the engine to make progress. Flying fish yesterday and today ¡V little ones ¡V big ones and ¡¥tail spinners ¡¥ ¡V like ballerinas skittering along vertically with just their tails in the water before a final dive back into the sea. A hot afternoon ended with a calm anchorage and a glass of wine before pasta and a doze on the sail bags on deck. Cannot believe how time has flown ¡V we have seen and done so much and our holiday is nearly over ¡V many memories.

Phuket – Kata Beach

N7 48.9 E 98 17.7
Wind – W1

Tim Magee – Lovely start to the day with a nice sail in about 15 knots of wind but it slowly died and we were left with a motor sail for most of the day. Very chilled onboard today after the dizzy delights of yesterday and the Gipsy Moth health spa sauna was back in action today down below! Finished the day with a glass of red to a lovely sunset, before getting ready for a meal ashore.

Mikaela Zehnder- Had another long and wonderful sail today. After ending a great Christmas we set off for Kata Beach. The sun was shinny and we cruised along.

Kirsty- We had a lovely long day of sailing today. We also got to watch the sunset. It was beautiful!

Kate- Woke up early today for a nice long sail. We had a good lunch and some good snacks.

Jonathan - A great couple of hours sailing before the wind dropped off – then a really sweltering afternoon with hardly any breeze and it seemed as if we were in an ocean sauna. Lots of flying fish and at one point there were 26 fishing boats visible on the horizon. Into Kata beach for the sunset and a most delicious glass of red vino.

25 December 2006
Similan Islands
N8 39.95E97 38.7
Wind NNE 2


Tim Magee Skipper – Well Christmas was certainly different this year! Had a wonderful day with Mikaela, Jonathon, Kate And Kirsty. Decorated the boat, a nice walk on the island, a swim, an inquisitive turtle, and I got to be a santa for the first time. . Happy Christmas to everyone back home, I hope you had a wonderful day.

Mikaela Zehnder First Mate- Christmas day was just great! Tim, Jonathan and I got upearly and decorated the boat with Christmas decorations. During the day we went ashore and hiked around Ko Similan. Around five in the evening Tim dressed up as Santa and we had a bonfire on the beach. Very mellow, but very pleasant Christmas.

Jonathan Zorichak. Up at 6am to dress overall and decorate the cabin with a mini Christmas tree hung with small coloured elephants! Enough golden reindeer for any Santa and coloured tinsel and lights. Cards and a small present each with breakfast and then some washing, a Starbucks coffee and a snooze on deck before cooking a Gipsy Moth tuna and Moroccan cous cous salad for Christmas dinner. Ashore with the girls at 4pm to collect firewood – Santa arrived, as the sun was setting complete with a sack of presents, which we all enjoyed. Joined by an Austrian couple who marvelled at the style (or maybe eccentricity) of the British – Santa Claus and a silk smoking jacket on a white sand beach with the temperature around 27C! The highlight of the day was launching hot air lanterns into the night sky and each making a wish. Kate and Kirsty put on a musical dance cabaret, which really impressed Rupert, the Austrian. A most memorable, happy and enjoyable Christmas day – off to sleep at one minute past midnight.

Kirsty Maltby.
We woke up to find the boat had been turned in to Santa’s crotow we had fried egg on toast the rest of the day was mostly opening presents and playing games in the evening we had a beach party and Tim dressed up as Santa we invited some Swedish people earlier that day the came it was lots fun sandy.

Kate Abigail. – Yay its Christmas! me and kirsty where woken up to find the boat had been transformed into a Christmas grotto! It looked so nice; we had eggs for breakfast but also started off the day with a few presents and chocolate! We went to the beach Tim mikaela kirsty and I, we hiked up to the view point and saw a giant iguana and a million baby ones too did some snorkelling around the boat when we got back and saw a massive sea turtle and it started chasing me! We had a Christmas sunbathe and nap but the heat soon got to much for us brits and we retired inside for our final Christmas bonfire preparations, The evening was so much fun Tim dressed up as a tropical Santa and loads of presents were exchanged and a wonderful Moroccan Christmas feast was prepared by our very own master chef Jonathan nearly as good as my dads Christmas dinner, and that is a compliment!, we also set off good luck lanterns which float up into the sky with your wish it was a real magical moment and kept my mind off Christmas at home, I am so thankful that Tim Mikaela and Jonathan put so much effort and thought into making this Christmas in a league of its own, it means a lot! Byeeeee xox

24 December 2006
Similan Islands
N8 39.95E97 38.7
Wind NNE 2


Tim Magee – Very chilled day today. Couple of jobs around the boat and then we moved to a more protected mooring on Ko Similan. All ready for tomorrow, presents wrapped and everything!

Mikaela Zehnder First Mate- Had a splendid day today. We woke up in Miang and the girls and I went ashore for a small hike and a great view. Then it was off to Ko Similan. Short but sweet sail up to Ko Similan but well worth it. White sand beach with picture perfect rocks. Took it mellow for the rest of the day and enjoyed the glorious scenery. The sun just set and cast an orange sky behind the island…what more could you ask for on Christmas Eve.

Jonathan Zorichak. Cleaning the original head for the second time was almost as exciting as the first! Then washed some clothes and swam too far from the boat but was fortuitously towed back by Mikaela and Kirsty who were just back from exploring the beach. Motored to a much quieter location with fewer dive boats and a classic beach. Once again huge shoals of fish to enjoy snorkelling. Walked to a view point ashore swam back to the boat and watched the sun set eating olives on deck – can’t be bad!

Kirsty Maltby.
To day we had a lying and woke up at 8. We then got ready to go to sure witch was nice but very hot we then decided to go on an adventure trail witch was very scary and hard and most of it was up hill I nearly died, but the view at the top was fab we then went to Similan number 6 ko similan were me and Kate snorkelled to sure were we spent most of the day sunbathing we did a bit of our own impression of rock climbing we are now about to have our xmas eve dinner. It feels weird not being with my family and I miss my mum.

Kate Abigail. Yay! Its Christmas Eve and I got lye in, which was well good! And then off to the first beach of the similan islands we visited today. We went on the crazy adventure trail even though me and mikeala had no shoes on and I was in my denim mini skirt! But it was all good fun and we made it to the top in no time though it was hard work for us city girls, the trail included steep climbs abseiling and a walk of faith over a plank of wood between the rocks but it was ALL worth it because the view was amazing And one I will never forget. We also motored over to the over island (my favourite number 6) and we had the luxury of not pulling the anchor out which means we dont have to visit the death cabin! We did snorkelling today it was amazing we saw such crazy fish and me and Kirsty sunbathed and climbed all over the other beach all day as well. Can’t wait for crimbo tomorrow!!! Yayness!

23 December 2006
Similan Islands
N8 33.7 E97 38.3
Wind NNE 2


Tim Magee ¡V Early start this morning with a bit of breeze but it died off slowly as we got further from phuket island. Very pleasant 60 miles over to Ko Miang which is part of the Similan Islands. Kirsty and Kate becoming dab hands with the deck and all of the water sampling they have to do. Jonathon has found his spot on the helm! Movie night tonight,

Mikaela Zehnder First Mate- Today was a long day of sailing. We did see some dolphins quite near the boat, which was exciting. We arrived in the Similan Islands at about 6pm. We were swarmed with jellyfish. ļ we even caught a whole strand on jellyfish strung together. What a good day!

Jonathan Zorichak. ¡V A longer day sailing ¡V a good wind early on which faded and ended up on the nose. Pleasant to doze on deck in the shade of the mizzen. Arrived at the Similan Islands just before dusk and discovered lots of jelly fish like ice cubes. Looking forward to a meal and high stakes poker.

Kirsty Maltby. Today was a really early start of 5AM! And off with sailing we where, with pulling anchor up and we had to go into the smelly cavern anchor room. We had to do shifts and luckily kates was first so I was able to snooze down below, mine started at 11, just before we changed over, Kate spotted some dolphins!. At first sailing was rough and water started gushing into our room through the hatch and me and Kate where swamped and I had to eye of the storm style climb through the hatch to save Kats painting, I got really wet and everyone laughed. It was weird to see no land for so long. We also found some baby jelly fish, which was funny, and hopefully we will be watching casino royal tonight

Kate Abigail. Got up ultra early today and was sailing straight away, I didn¡¦t even have time to change out from my pyjamas! we sailed with shifts today so while some sleeped and sunbathed in the sun, the others where at the helm or on deck, in between one of my shifts I was also lucky enough to spot 2/3 dolphins swimming around the boat all crazy like it was so cool! We also found some trail of baby jellyfish later on as well which luckily had no stingers! we are now at the similans after 10 hours ready for dinner!

22 December 2006
Patong


Tim Magee – Skipper. Busy busy. Spent much of the day trying to organise everything for Christmas. Missed out on the elephants, but managed to get presents for everyone!

Mikaela Zehnder- First Mate. Had a pretty eventful day today. Kate, Kirsty and I rode on elephants. We had a blast. After that adventure we spent a couple of hours shopping around for Christmas gifts and then were treated to a nice warm a refreshing shower. The rest of the evening was pretty mellow as we ate a traditional western meal and went off to bed.

Jonathan Zorichak. Busy day exploring Patong shops for Surprise Santa presents and Christmas surprises. Must have walked up and down the main street about 10 times – I nearly died! Tim arranged showers in the afternoon – nice to have so much fresh water to freshen up. Ended the day listening to some light jazz in a beach side bar – a cool and relaxing end to the day.

Kirsty Maltby.
Today was a very mixed day. We got up very excited to g elephant trekking, and didn’t know what was in store. As we took the boat over to the shore we realised we were a half an hour early so we took one of two trips to Starbucks. As I had already been in there once before they already knew me. We then drove to the elephant trekking and snoozed on the way. When we got there and got ready to go on the elephants we then decided Kate and I would go together and Mikaela had to go on her own. Poor Mikaela had to go on the elephant with a broken seat and a funny little boy. Kate and my driver was an old man who looked like a turtle, it was weird getting on the elephant and the texture was weird to… it was hard a wrinkly. We finished with a baby elephant show. It played the harmonica. Shopped for a few hours and then came across a near death experience in the dinghy…haha. Had dinner in an Irish pub then had an early night.

Kate Abigail.
Started off the day with a very nice breakfast. Then after a quick stop at the Thai Starbucks we went elephant trekking. That was really fun and kinda scary. We did lots of shopping and I spent all my money. For the first time in a while we had a nice shower. I nearly died on the dinghy…. not really but we experienced some large waves.

21 December 2006
Patong


Tim Magee – Skipper. Glorious sail from Phi Phi Don. Boat was sailing beautifully with just the mizzen and Working Jib. We are now at anchor in Patong with Jet Ski’s buzzing around, thankfully it will be dark soon and they will desist. Kirsty and Kate have worked very hard today, the decks are looking immaculate.

Mikaela Zehnder- First Mate. What a wonderful sail that we had today on our way to Patong. Plenty of breeze to sail along quite nicely. We are now in Patong and are looking forward to our Elephant adventure treks tomorrow.

Jonathan Zorichak. It gets better and better! 8 hours sailing today – during the morning 5-6 knots in 20+ knots apparent wind – fantastic. Sailed round the south of Phuket Island and anchored off Patong beach. Sun is setting on another smashing day.


Kirsty Maltby.
Today I woke up and the engine was already on and I thought I was going to die. We sailed the whole day today and it was hot, very hot! Kate and me were very tired from sunbathing and partying the day before so we snoozed in between important sailing jobs. We got wet scrubbing the deck after we had arriv3ed in patong. We have organised our Christmas secret Santa so we get pressies on our special phuket Christmas.

Kate Abigail.
We sailed like all day today it was cool because it meant we Had lots of breeze in the hot hot sun!, my tan is coming along nicely since me n Kirsty spent all yesterday and today sleeping in the sun, we nearly died a few times when the sea was choppy which wasn’t to good but never mind because its nearly Christmas and we finally arranged are secret Santa after talking about it for ages. I’m so excited about going elephant trekking tomorrow! So good day all in all.

21 December 2006
South Phi Phi Don


Tim Magee – Skipper. Whilst Jonathan, Kirsty and Kate enjoyed the delights of Phi Phi Lee and Monkey Beach Myself and Mikaela caught up with a few jobs around the boast. A bit of food shopping and finishing the day off with a massage. A nice meal with Kirsty and Kate and then we saw a couple of rounds of Thai Boxing. A very pleasant day.

Mikaela Zehnder- First Mate. After sending the crew off to visit the surrounding islands Tim and I began some odd jobs around the boat. After that we went ashore to stock up on some food and have a nice relaxing massage. As the night went on we watched some Thai boxing and chatted about how everyone’s day was. Then it was off to bed to get some sleep for our journey the next day. .

Jonathan Zorichak. Another amazing day sight seeing, snorkelling, sunbathing in a long tail boat trip. Exploring the stalls and two beautiful beaches. A lovely day.


Kirsty Maltby. We got up at 7am to be picked up by a crazy longtail driver, which is a Thai taxi boat. He took us to the island where The Beach was filmed we went snorkling. It was good. We then went to Monkey Beach and saw monkeys. We had lunch followed by dinner then listened to a few songs and saw some Thai boxing and went to bed.

Kate Abigail. Today was the first day we stayed in one place all day although we were being driven about to lots of different beaches on a longtail boat by some crazy Thai man named Deem. We went snorkling, which was amazing; I have never seen such amazing fish and coral away from an aquarium. We also went to the place where the movies The Beach was filmed, it looked unbelievable. Best of all we went to see the monkeys on monkey beach where we played all day! The Thai boxing in the evening was fun too.

18 December 2006
Phi Phi Don
Wind NEE 3


Tim Magee – Skipper. Visited the city on stilts this morning. Had a nice stroll through the narrow streets looking at the vendors. And seeing the sites. Had a wonderful sail south to Phi Phi Don. One of the longest sails we have had so far with a nice following breeze. Anchored up in what is described as the third most beautiful island in the world. Can’t complain!

Mikaela Zehnder- First Mate. Very nice sail today. We left Ko Pan Yi, which was simply amazing. We went ashore this morning and walked around the town built on stilts. This was the most authentic and cultured town I have ever been to. After looking around we headed off to Phi Phi Don. The sun was shinning and the wind was blowing…what more could you ask for. Smiles were all around.

Jonathan Zorichak. Another amazing day. First as it was my day on the cleaning rota I got to clean the original forward head. Then another wonderful day with a variety of conditions – a gentle downwind run then more fun with 15-20 knots apparent on a close reach to Phi Phi. Dreams are made of this!

Kirsty Maltby. We got up early today and for me that was hard, because I stayed up late starring at the stars on the deck. We went ashore, but it was really a city on stilts. The people were really really cool. You couldn’t help but feel really grateful for the lif3e you had. We saw lots of little Thai children who were crazy. We bought a few things like presents, and I bought a traditional Thai dress. Then we came back to the boat and prepared for a day of sailing. It started off cool then got really hot. I think I have cooked my self. After doing that we were sailing and we got a cool breeze. Then Kate started to play the word association game, and it lasted about two hours. We took turns on the helm. Soon we arrived at our destination, which is near Phi Phi Lee where the beach is filmed. We finished off our day with a nice swim in the sea. We thought it was a good idea to wash ourselves. Now we are getting ready for a night on land.

Kate Abigail. Woke up early and saw the sunrise. Went over to Ko Pan Yi for some shopping and to explore. This was a big culture shock, but everyone was really nice. I got lots of presents for everyone. Then we sailed lots and it was really hot. We have now arrived at Phi Phi Don and we are ready for dinner.