Krabi Boat Lagoon Haul out

Well its that time again when we need to take SeaWolff out of the water. This year we chose the new Krabi Boat Lagoon Marina as they are offering very good rates. As a new Marina quite far from Phuket (or anything else) they have to give good incentives. Its worked for them as the Hard stand is full of yachts stored for the Summer months.

When we arrived we needed to overnight and they told us to come under the roof. What a wonderful place to be, in the shade. We were able to do all the preparation work in the cool shade. Its very hot here now, no rain for weeks. We just stepped of the boat to go to supper.

Rob helped the guys secure the straps that lift the boat. We stayed on board while they lifted the boat. A first time as we have always been told to get off the boat. A few anxious moments, as the straps tighten to lift the 20 Tons, they make grinding noises. Sounds like the boats breaking! but no all was fine.

So there she is right infront of the office.

 We were all ready to leave, all Rob had to do was disconnect the batteries. (The aircon would then run on Shore power) He did this and then nothing worked. No power anywhere. We needed the air-conditioner to run to dry the humidity or everything will go mouldy. So he reconnected the batteries and still nothing worked??????? There was a short somewhere? After 2 hours of struggling with the problem with help from Andries, an experienced skipper, the Marina electrician and Rob it some how started working again. But now the batteries are still connected, so there is the risk of them draining if the power goes off! (the aircon will run off the batteries, and they wont get enough charge at night from the solar pannels, so will eventually die) We had no choice but to leave it that way. By now were too late to get the ferry back from Krabi, so we called a taxi.

 He was I am sure just a local chap with a car. Every bump we went over the tyres touched the rim arches! No suspension and big tyres. 2 and half hours later we got back to Phuket. He also did not know where he was going and did not understand a word of English. So Robs hand signals came into play. There were a few more Rob had which he would have liked to use but did not.

We leave for Seoul, South Korea tomorrow for our next adventure.

Coconut water

After the Temple visit we drove to a Thai home near by, where she had treated a dog and her puppies. The owner was so pleased he cut a coconut (maprow, in Thai) from his tree for each of us. Then proceeded to chop of the top so that we could drink the juice inside. The liquid is clear and has very little flavour so its very refreshing on a hot day. All this was done with sign language, broken Thai and lots of smiles. The puppies were all healthy and happy.

Temple dogs

Went to a temple (a Wat in Thai) with my friend Tina to see what she is doing there. The Budhist Temples are always havens for animals. many strays are dropped off and gifts of Rabbits, ducks, turtles are given to the monks for good luck. These animals all need to be fed and treated for diseases. Tina has taken on the role of savior to the animals at this Temple. 

 Here a monk is feeding the cats,  about 10 plus 8 kittens.

 Wherever Tina walks there are dogs following her. There must be about 20 here. She tries to get them all sterilized, but its a never ending battle as there is always another dog.

Crazy car

We are back in the Marina so out and about on the busy Phuket roads. I just got a photo of  this car through the dirty windscreen. The back tires are at a huge angle!! It was being driven like a racing car, darting in and out of the traffic.

Dugong

After a week in the Marina we headed down south to Nai Harn bay. On the way we spotted  what looked like a Dolphin but on closer inspection it turned out to be a dead Dugong. Very similar to a Manatee but the tail is a v-shape. They are endangered now and the Thai government has done allot to educate the public about the preservation of Dugongs. Sad to see a dead one.

Mangrove seeds and Crocodile Cave

Forgot to add this post. On Tarutao island (near Langkawi) we took a ride in the dingy to find the 'Crocodile cave'. This is another Thai National Park and a 200 Baht fee is charged per person. This island was used as a political prison in the 1940's as it was remote and full of crocodiles. It is the largest island of the Thai, 51 island, archipelago.

The cave is very pretty and is at the end of a Mango tree lined creek.

 We had to climb up this steep ladder to walk to the cave.

In the creek we saw Mangrove trees with their seeds hanging from the branches. These fall into the water and if its shallow they stick in the mud and grow into another tree. The brown seed on the end opens with new leaves. Nature is amazing.

New batteries

Our AGM Batteries have 'died' They have lasted 4 years and worked very well. In the last month they stopped holding their charge. Which means that during the night we would have to switch the fridges and freezer off, and even then they would not last the night. This means a busser sounds when they are too low to even run a fan.
Rob did some research and has decided to install golf cart batteries (deep cycle) These are manufactured in Thailand.
Here are the new ones waiting to be installed. They will hold 1125 Amps. All's well again.

Krabi, Railay Beach

Back in Krabi. This is Sunset beach next to Railay beach. We were there at 8am, before the tourists, the first people there! On the one side is a cave filled with phallic symbols to the Princess Goddess. The fishermen make pledges for good luck. 

 Railay beach, is only accessible from the sea as its cut off by high rocky outcrops. This is a small village of shops and tourist activities. Very relaxing. Tourists arrive via the longtail boats and drag their suitcases over the beach to the 'main street' called walking street.

Iced coffee, feet in the sand, what holidays are made of!

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Diving, Koh Haa

We went into the water at Koh Lipe and then again at Koh Haa (below, note all the dive boats). Both recommended dive sites.

Probably should have noticed that all the dive boats were collecting their divers and leaving. It was high tide and so we thought there would be no current. WRONG, it was strong and after a short time of trying to swim against it we surfaced. The short time down was still pleasurable and we saw lots of fish in clear water. Need to learn more about the tides and currents. We have to come back here.

 Joe helping me into my BC.

 Rob ready to jump in.

Langkawi Panorama

Here Rob and I are with Joe and Mercia in the Telaga Marina. From here we hired a car, went Chocolate shopping and then took a trip up the Panorama cable car.

The cable car has two sections. It reaches 708m starting at sea level. Its a breathtaking ride and was made more interesting by the wind which moved our little 6 seater car sideways. A few anxious moments for me..

The view from the top is awesome, looking out over all the little islands of Lankawi, Malaysia.

Shame it wasn't a clear day.

Joe and Mercia on the trip up.

A sign in the car park, had to photograph it.

Snorkelling

Did our first dive with Joe, an easy reef on the southern point on Ko Ngai, the visibility was bad but there were lots of fish. Sad as it would be amazing if the water was clear. Near the surface it was crystal clear and Mercia and I snorkeled, looking at all the clams of many various colours, so pretty. We then fed the fish off the back of the boat. We could see the rocks below.

Another beautiful sunset

Phuket to Langkawi

We anchored at the large island of Tarutao, which is a National Park. As with so many islands we have visited, this too was once a penal colony for political prisoners, but it was closed in 1946 and made Thailands first National Park. 

As we stopped to look at the beach we noticed wild boar foraging on the beach. With full zoom on my camera I managed to capture them, a female with her 2 piglets.

My favourite are the Sea Hawks. We were lucky to see one grab what looks like a half eaten fish, out of the sea. Interesting that while carrying his load, his beak is open.

Diving photos

I dont have an underwater camera so took these from the video that was made of us on our last dive.

Having fun under the water, 15m down!

Red Firefish (from behind)

 Black spotted puffer fish

Scorpion fish

Royal Phuket Marina

Royal Phuket Marina is a very pretty Marina on the East coast of Phuket. This has been our base when not as sea. It is easy to get maintenance work done we hired a chap to remove all old Sikaflex and replaced with new. This seals the boat 'pieces' that have been joined together. The Sikaflex gets old and stops insulating the boat so has to be replaced after a few years.

We are off to Langkawi, Malaysia tomorrow. Hope to do some diving on the way. Wish I had an underwater camera to take some photos. 

Diving Certificate

We have just completed a 4 day open water diving course and are now qualified to dive to 18m! Very proud of myself, it was quite daunting being 18m under the water knowing that you only have your tank of air as life support. The course is all about safety and making you feel safe down under. We had to practice breathing from our buddy's air supply, take our mask off and put it on again and clear the water from it and many other safety exercises. Sea Bees Diving were fantastic and have a very comfy boat that we went diving from. We had 3 dives around Phi Phi and 3 dives off Racha Noi islands.

Here we are celebrating passing the written test. 

Krabi

Krabi is across the Phang Nga bay East of Phuket. It is becoming a popular tourist spot with good beaches. Some of the beaches can only be reached by longtail, we soon realised we were anchored in their path and moved to a spot off the main 'transport' route. One attraction is the rock climbing, there are shops with all the gear you need to try this. Its just too hot to do that much exercise! 

Maybe we are getting old?

Catching Jelly Fish

Near Krabi we stopped to watch the longtail fishermen collecting the big Jellyfish. Apparently they eat them. The Jellyfish float just beneath the surface. From our flybridge we had a good height advantage, so I could point them out in the water.