We have managed to escape the Royal Phuket Marina after a stay of only two nights and for the next couple of weeks we'll be cruising in the scenic Phang Nga Bay region of Thailand.
As you have read before we prefer to stay away from marina's but at times stops are necessary. At Royal Phuket our reason was to have some stainless steel work finished that was actually begun in Fiji. Here in Thailand we have been surprised at the overall cost of products for yachts, expensive, along with the labor charges that the ex-pat overseers charge. They seem to want as much for work as in the U.S. or Australia. We found a local, Wi Wat who has his own business and charges fair prices. We had a stainless security grate built in Fiji for one of our companion way hatches at a cost of about $300 US. Here we had one built for our other companion way, a stanchion straightened, and some welding done on another all for $125 US. He looked at the job on our first afternoon in the marina then returned the next afternoon with a crew of 3 to build the grate on site. He had done the stanchions at his shop.
The Marina was quite nice but lacking in having "do it yourself" laundry. We were also not allowed to hang laundry around the boat which is our norm. There was a small store, restaurants and wi-fi. All this for about $41 US/day plus tax and a fee for water and power. A little to much for us on a fixed income. The entrance channel was a zigzag through a mud flat area and we were instructed to arrive with the high tide. The marina actually provided a pilot aboard to steer. The channel was marked with pilings every 30 meters and you were to stay 10 to 15 meters off to one side.
After our short stay we were off with the tide on the 4th. We anchored at Ko Yao Yai for the night. As soon as the anchor was down we had local fishermen approach to sell us shrimp. We had some and declined. they wanted 500 baht/kilo, we had bought ours for 180 baht/kilo. This morning we visited the small resort ashore and then after lunch have gotten underway and are now anchored a Koh Phanak.
The islands here in Phang Nga Bay are of limestone and riddled with caves and lagoon areas that you can enter either via dinghy or kayak. Finally a good spot for Kathy's Hobie kayak.
As we're out of any wi-fi range it will be nothing but text for awhile. I'll try to catch up the photos later. So far the scenery is spectacular.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
2 comments:
Hello Kathy and Jerry, missing your cheery faces. We are still in Danga Bay jetsetting about this year to Australia (twice), London and Europe phew. Still there's no rush the coast will be there next year we hope. Had a quick read of your blog it all sounds great. Anyway keep up the good work and hope to see you again one day. Margaret and Neil (Bluestone)
Hey Jer, Hey Kathy, Steve Yocom here. Great stuff guys! Good to hear local purveyors are undercutting the gringos high prices. Greedy bastards. Have you guys figured out a way to catch your own shrimp. Hmmm, I wonder if that is possible at anchor, at night. Anyway, take care and we will be seeing you sooner than later.
Post a Comment