When we left AoPo Grand Marina on the east side of Phuket, we were as excited as kids on Christmas Day. First we set a course northeast, to take us through the channel between Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai (Koh means island). We were enthralled by the landscape, but all the while kept a close eye on the sounder: 2 meters, 1.5 meters… Are we clear? Yes, with no problems - one of the advantages of a catamaran is the shallow draft! Once clear of the channel, we skirted the multitude of islands in Phang Nga Bay. There are so many, we don’t really know which one is which, and we’re still not used to listening to the Thai language. But the bays (Ao) of Koh Muk, Koh Luk and Koh Panyi really take your breath away. The landscape is really baffling, with cliffs and sugarloaf mountains being characteristic of the place. The anchorages are deserted and the sun shines. Seems like paradise to me! After a few days exploring, it was time to get under way again. The sun sets early at this time of year, and coastal sailing is not recommended at night in Thaliand. It’s best left to the “Long Tails”, traditional fishing boats which are almost never lit. But then they come round first thing in the morning very kindly offering to fill your fridge with tiger prawns or blue crabs they have caught overnight. What a treat! Here, the sunsets over the craggy islands in the bay make us completely forget about the time. The way the light plays between islands which seem to float above the horizon is superb. The landscape is magical, almost unreal.
Marion and Alexis on board Hirondelle
www.sailoncatamaran.com
