Nai Yang, Phuket

Nai Yang, Phuket

 The jetskis, smell and noise of Patong was more than I could stand. After one night and feeling very much better I headed further north to Nai Yang, near Phuket Airport. What a delightful place, crystal clear water, beautiful beaches, quaint beach bars, lovely shady parks. Met up with Giles on “Petrel” from California. 
 

Nai Yang, Phuket

Nai Yang, Phuket

Nai Yang, Phuket

Thailand Checkout

I checked out of Thailand on February 9 (30 day visa) using the new online check facility. This does make the process markedly easier and avoids the need to fill out copious forms - repeatedly.

Sunday February 12 departed Ban Nit (Panwa Beach) in the early hours after having survived yet another lengthy, liver punishing lunch with friends the day before.

Lunch On the Beach

It was a fantastic sail with winds strengthening with just the number 3 jib. Soon the winds were gusting up to 40 knots which I thought was a little unnecessary given my slightly fragile state. I headed to the shelter of Patong Beach, the boat and I getting a good saltwater wash, which we probably both needed. On the way in the dingy, being perversely human, flipped over, tried to make like a kite in a strong wind gust, then tired to bury itself in the water being upside down. Fortunately, the dingy stayed tethered and the outboard was not on it, thank goodness.  A short visit to Patong beach to visit the ubiquitous stalls selling tee-shirts etc. to stock up on cheap tee-shirts and a couple of sarongs. Oh, and I did treat myself to a burger at Burger King, fries and coke. This did very little to ease the bruised liver from the abuse that had been inflicted on it the day before. It was an alcohol free day (AFD).

Patong Beach

Ban Nit (Panwa Beach)

Ban Nit (Panwa Beach)

A lot of time has been spent at Ban Nit or Panwa Beach across Ao Chalong from the pier. This area is fairly sheltered in the North East Monsoon. It still suffers the morning and afternoon rock n roll hour when the tourist tripper boats leave and return from their various island destinations. The two local restaurants are good, cheap and the beer plentiful.

On the Beach

 I’m running out of excuses for delaying the departure westward and chasing the sunset. The boat is watered, fuelled and provisioned. The list has shrunk somewhat. Have even done some varnishing, polished stainless steel and broken out the sewing machine. Regarding the sewing machine, I have a great deal of admiration for anyone who knows how to drive one of these things. The books, well the one I have onboard (Don Casey’s Canvas works), make it look so easy to use. So it was with some apprehension that I hauled out the very heavy sewing machine from the depths of the boat. 

Sewing Machine