Phuket week off

Following a pretty busy schedule since arriving in Langkawi in November, we are now looking forward to a week off in Phuket before visiting a few Islands on the way back. Thailand is definetely the place if you want to enjoy good food and relax, so we are quite excited about chilling for the next few days, before returning to the grindstone and finishing off the winter season as we only have approx 6 weeks left in Asia.

Windy Phuket

Just back from an interesting couple of weeks sailing, leaving Langkawi we actually had to hoist the storm jib as we beat into 40 knots of wind. Having to hoist the storm jib in anger is something we rarely do and I can only recall having to seriously hoist it once before. Confident that the winds would ease approx 20 miles up the coast often caused by local winds funneling through the islands, I was glad to be correct in my assesment as continuing onwards would have been both uncomfortable and foolish. The winds stayed with us for nearly 2 weeks staying at 20 knots plus providing us with some exhilarating sailing and interesting boat handling around the marina.
Thankfully the winds eased once back on the eastern side of the bay and we enjoyed most constant 10-12 knots which after the previous week almost seemed a little dull. For those of you that know me, you´ll be aware that i´m never happy!
Back in Langkawi the winds are still blowing so we are looking forward to the next couple of weeks.

Merry Xmas from Malaysia

Xmas in Malaysia is not a big affair, having gone shopping on Xmas eve expecting the manic crowds that gather in Europe we were pleasantly surprised with the civility surrounding the shopping malls. Hoping to track down some Xmas carols and maybe a mince pie or two we stopped off in Starbucks, managed a coffee but no mince pies. Likewise the carol singers were absent, at least they were playing carols over the tannoy although it was still not feeling like Xmas. Having survived the shops our minds turned to dinner, now the problem was that everything closes on Friday in Langkawi and tonight this seemed to include all the local restaurants as well. Last year we went to a buffet in one of the local hotels so thought this would be a safe bet, it turned out to be their Xmas dinner meal and the price had doubled, with a stoke of luck we managed to get a preferential price and enjoyed some fabulous food complete with entertainment. When I say entertainment that term is used quite loosely, it reminded us of Pontins or Butlins, still we got our Xmas carols and Santa even arrived on the back of a Harley Davidson, clearly he had been enjoyed a few days on Langkawis beaches as he was looking rather tanned! Still the kids didnt seem to mind as he dished out presents.
With little going on we decided not to waste Xmas day and walked up the 580 odd steps that take you to Seven Wells, the start of a waterfall nestled high in the hills, there are two main pools and having stopped at the lower pool we decided that there were far too many people so we pressed on to the top pool. The views are remarkably and bathing in the fresh water just below the waterfall added a special something to the day. Once back at the car park our legs were like jelly and clearly a sign that we need to get a little fitter in the New Year! Xmas dinner was managed at Mangoes where Michelle and Lutz once again excelled themselves in turning out good western food. It still doesnt feel Xmassy here but a great time has been had, especially when talking to friend and family in the UK and Spain who are under snow with the central heating on full, which reminds me the temperature yesterday was around 35 degrees C. To view our Xmas pictures visit our facebook page, we are having a few days off from sailing but will be back on the water from 2nd January hopefully heading South towards Penang and Port Klang  

A taste of the Tropics

A couple of weeks ago we were at the mercy of a mini heat wave, what a difference a week makes. This week has comprised of light airs and torrential downpours with frequent squalls passing overhead. Currently in Thailand it would appear that there is little we can do to avoid the downpours and squalls. Whilst the temperatures have remained high, it is a very different weather pattern to that experienced last year. Hopefully the NE monsson will kick in soon and the great sailing will return, will be heading back to Langkawi this week and look forward to the challenges ahead.